Everything You Need

 

Get away, but not too far

The Brainerd Lakes Area boasts lush forests and beautiful lakes at the very heart of Minnesota. It is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with many options for biking, hiking, hunting, golfing, go-karting, racing, fishing and, of course, boating and all water sports. You’ll also find great shopping, restaurants for all tastes and arts and attractions unique to the history and lore of the area. 

Stay with us and you’ll be close to all Brainerd Lakes has to offer, yet you can look forward to returning to the quiet splendor and simplicity of this very private, premier Lodge at the end of a fun-filled day. Located on a secluded peninsula on the north eastern shore of Sylvan Lake, The Birchwood Project is a mere 2.5-hour drive from the Twin Cities, and a short car ride from Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport.

: : The Property
During your time with us plan to enjoy nightly conversations around the fire pit, circulation boosting sessions in the sauna and nature hikes including the amazing, self-guided forest bathing walk designed exclusively for The Birchwood Project guests by award-winning guide and landscape architect David Motzenbecker of Motz Studios.

Step outside and you’ll breathe in the oxygen-rich air generously provided by your big-hearted deciduous and evergreen neighbors. Treat yourself to a meditative walk through the labyrinth. Lunch with friends on the picnic table. Wander down the beach for some vitamin D. Visit the dock and fire up the pontoon, take out a couple of kayaks or paddle boards, or launch a canoe. You can even bring your own favorite watercraft. We provide the lifejackets, you bring the sunscreen.

: : The Lodge
Under our roof, you’ll find everything you need for an easy, stress-free stay. Plan your meals, bring your ingredients and have fun cooking together in the chef’s-appointed kitchen, or better yet, bring your own chef. The living and sleeping areas will be furnished with the same meticulous attention to detail you would expect at your favorite luxury hotel.

: : The Forest
In addition to our beloved local trees, the 80-acre Pillsbury State Forest is just an acorn’s throw away. This forest was the first to be designated a Minnesota state forest in 1900. Pillsbury’s trail system is especially popular with equestrians and mountain bikers during the summer and cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. You're likely to see evidence of beavers and other wildlife, and you may also find several varieties of wildflowers, including the yellow lady's-slipper. Grouse hunters find good bird hunting in the fall.

: : The Lake
Sylvan Lake is refreshingly quieter than some of the more frequented lakes in the area, and you are sure to enjoy boating, floating and fishing in our serene waters. Sylvan spans just over 890 acres and is approximately 57 feet deep at its deepest point. Intrepid anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Back Bullhead, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch and Pumpkinseed.

 

PLAN a memorable stay AT THE BIRCHWOOD PROJECT

  • Host a corporate retreat

  • Organize a family reunion 

  • Book a friends’ getaway

  • While you’re here, treat yourself to some luxe self-care: 
    - Relax with a cleansing sauna paired with an invigorating lake plunge.
    - Enjoy a meditative labyrinth walk. 
    - Take advantage of the amazingly positive benefits of a self-guided forest bathing session designed exclusively for The Birchwood Project guests.

  • Ask about our themed packages 

THE GETAWAY THAT GIVES BACK

In addition to that delicious feeling of calm that comes when you ground yourself with a mindful, natural escape, you will be able to bask in the glow of knowing your stay has helped others gain that same sense of peace. You will have enabled an exhausted parent of a sick child to experience nature’s healing beauty, to regain their strength and sense of hope. You will have made it possible for a critically ill child to have a frolic in the forest, a jump in the lake, a paddle in a canoe, outside of clinics and hospital halls. You will have contributed to the much-needed gathering of medically fragile kids with their family members, enabling them to enjoy a gorgeous peaceful setting, nourish their souls and celebrate their love for each other. You will have given back.