ACTIVITIES

We offer free kayak and canoe rentals for every cabin guest—which makes arranging water expeditions a breeze. Canoeing and kayaking are fantastic workouts that bring you and your companions closer to nature. You can also take these activities at your own pace to match your activity level—which makes them accessible for the whole family.

Pelican Lake has a host of environments to explore, ranging from small islands to vast stretches of shoreline. There’s no better way to get the whole family involved in a fun, collaborative activity that creates long-lasting memories. Explore, experiment and enjoy the marvels of nature on paths you create—or lean on our team for route recommendations; you’ll have a blast either way.

Birch Forest Lodge offers a wide variety of on-site activities for guests, ranging from beachside campfires to disc golf. Looking to enjoy the sunny weather with your kids? Our family-friendly playground awaits. Or, if you’re trying to dodge the heat, you can explore our indoor game room—fully stocked with board games, foosball, ping pong, playing cards and a pool table. These games are an excellent way to break up your outdoor adventures and keep the fun going if the weather acts up.

When the sun is shining, you can shoot some hoops with our on-site basketball equipment or test your frisbee skills with a game of disc golf. We also have supplies for games of horseshoe, cornhole and more. We even offer a satellite TV in the lodge for digital entertainment. No matter what sports and activities your group enjoys, you’ll definitely find something fun at our Northern Minnesota resort.

Ready to take your vacation games and outdoor enjoyment to the next level? Then take advantage of our barbeque grills! A few freshly cooked brats, burgers and ribs will make your vacation even better. We also host free barbecues for guests every Monday evening between Memorial Day and mid-August, so be sure to join in on the fun and dine with us! Games, grub and great company—what’s not to love?

A Birch Forest Lodge vacation just isn’t complete without a relaxing picnic on the gorgeous shores of Pelican Lake. We provide free picnic tables for guests and a large sandy beach to explore—which allows you to choose the right locale for your outdoor meal. Bask in the beauty of nature while enjoying your favorite foods, or coordinate with other guests for a shoreside potluck! The opportunities are endless.

Feeling s’mores above sandwiches? Then partake in a few beachside campfires! These are a perfect way to connect with fellow guests or simply relax with your family. Share a few stories in the warmth of the firelight, master the art of roasting marshmallows, or partake in the ancient tradition of campfire karaoke. It’s amazing how entertaining campfires can be in the presence of fun people—and you’ll find plenty of those here at Birch Forest Lodge.

Superb fishing isn’t the only perk of vacationing in Orr, Minnesota; we also have some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see. There’s nothing quite like watching light gleam across Pelican Lake as the sun descends, especially in the presence of friends and family. Our Northern Minnesota resort is a fantastic place to relax by the fireside and witness nature’s simple spectacles—which extends to the stars and cosmos, too.

At Birch Forest Lodge, we’re blessed with opportunities to enjoy nights filled with stars, meteors and the famed aurora borealis. Many guests relish the chance to experience (and photograph!) these wonderful nighttime attractions—so much so that we host photography nights once a week in the fall to help visitors capture the sky on camera. Whether you grab photos or not, you’ll never forget these gorgeous sights during your vacation with us.

There’s another big perk of the gorgeous weather here at Birch Forest Lodge: fresh produce! One of our most enjoyable seasonal activities is onsite berry picking. This is a good opportunity to explore the local flora and enjoy a few healthy treats straight from the hands of nature. We make this sweet and tasty activity safe and fun for the whole family so you can relax and enjoy yourself.

July is typically the prime time for picking berries in Minnesota—with many delicious options reaching their prime by the end of the month. Our family can help your group decide which berries to hunt for, when and where, so don’t worry about digging through the bushes in vain. Whether your party has a taste for blueberries, raspberries or other confections of nature, we can help you find the best picking spots for your snacking needs.

Ready to get out on the water and explore? Birch Forest Lodge offers a range of exciting aquatic activities, including stand up paddle boarding, swimming, water volleyball and more. Traverse Pelican Lake in one of our watercraft—or take things a touch slower with free paddle boats and other non-motorized vehicles. With a vast variety of water-based activities and vessels, we can accommodate groups of any age, interest or activity level.

Our onsite launch ramp makes it easy to move boats in or out of the water, which makes preparing for your boating or water sports effortless. From tubing to water skiing, there’s a breadth of boating activities to enjoy out on the waters of Pelican Lake—and we offer all the tools you’ll need to try them out.

Dock a private boat with your cabin rental—or explore our motor boat rental options for your party. From family-size pontoons to deluxe fishing boats, you’re sure to find the right vessel for your needs. You can also stick closer to shore with swimming and water volleyball. In either case, our family-friendly aquatic activities will bring a welcome splash of excitement to your vacation.

Feeling up for some general exploration? You’ve got over 50 islands and tons of shoreline to investigate! Our guides can help you map out the perfect adventure for your group, regardless of whether you’ll be sticking to land or exploring different parts of Pelican Lake. You’ll find a plethora of exciting flora and fauna across the lake’s islands—and even more if you fish as you go. And if you’re looking to expand your adventure further, there are plenty of area attractions throughout Orr, Minnesota.

From beautiful interpretive trails to cascading waters, there are many local attractions to enjoy. Some of our favorites include the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for wild American black bears that’s located less than six miles from our lodge, and Vermilion Falls, which contains a series of well-kept trails ideal for short hikes. No matter which nearby attractions you visit, you’re sure to find enjoyment in exploring the many wonders of Orr!

In addition to the various activities and things to do on site we also have a couple of weekly events that we host and invite you to join.

• Every Monday between Memorial Day and mid August we host a barbecue for all guests. This is a great opportunity to get to mingle and get to know one another better. We supply burgers and dogs/brats and invite guests to bring a favorite dish to share. We hope to have you join us on Monday evenings for dinner!

• Do you have someone in your family that is full of random facts? Every Thursday night from Memorial Day until Labor Day we host trivia night at the lodge. Come join us for triva!

• Starting in the second week of August Adam will host an evening under the stars. Adam is an amateur photographer and loves taking pictures at night of stars, meteors, and of course his favorite-the Aurora Borealis. Many people have asked questions about how to best capture the sky on their camera. Starting in 2016 Adam will host a photography night once a week and together we’ll try to capture the sky! Rather than pick a designated night, each week Adam will check the weather and aurora forecasts and pick a night to target. The event will begin when it is “dark dark” probably around 11 pm in August and 10 pm in September. Adam plans on being out that night for 2 hours. All levels of photographers are invited. If you don’t have a camera, no worries, Adam is happy to show you what he is doing and you are welcome to hang out and visit. If you would like take pictures with us please bring a digital SLR camera that can be manually focused, can manually adjust the ISO and has adjustable shutter speeds in a manual setting. (Most DLSRs can do this). Adam also recommends bringing a tripod if you have one. Keep in mind, Adam doesn’t claim to be a camera expert and is not a professional photographer. But he does love to take pictures and enjoys looking at the night sky. Check out some examples of Adam’s pictures at Birch Forest Lodge.