Group 2 8 min ReadThe Brainerd Lakes Short Term Rental Market in 2025 Brainerd Lakes, Minnesota continues to thrive as one of the Midwest’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation, family vacations, and lakeside retreats. Known for its hundreds of crystal-clear lakes, charming small towns, and year-round attractions, the Brainerd Lakes region has become a go-to getaway for both Minnesota residents and visitors from across the Upper Midwest. From summer boating, fishing, and golfing to snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter, the area’s four-season appeal keeps tourism strong throughout the year. 2025 saw continued growth in tourism across Crow Wing County, with record numbers of cabin bookings, resort stays, and vacation rental occupancy. Local attractions like Gull Lake, Breezy Point Resort, and the Brainerd International Raceway hosted major regional events that brought thousands of visitors to the area. The region’s expanding network of trails, dining, and recreation options has further solidified Brainerd Lakes as one of Minnesota’s most vibrant tourism hubs. Our Analysis and Outlook for The Brainerd Lakes Vacation Rental Market The steady influx of tourists and vacation homeowners has positioned the Brainerd Lakes area as a strong and stable short-term rental market heading into 2026. Similar to other regions in Minnesota, real estate trends have reflected higher home prices, longer listing times, and fewer overall sales compared to the rapid growth of previous years. However, Brainerd’s affordability compared to larger metro markets, combined with consistent visitor demand, makes it an attractive area for investment properties. As of mid-2025, the median home sale price in Crow Wing County hovered around $402,000, remaining near the national average and making entry into the vacation rental market accessible for many property owners. With year-round tourism driven by outdoor recreation, local festivals, and lake culture, the area provides diverse opportunities for both seasonal and full-time rental income. SkyRun has analyzed performance data from over 1,100 active vacation rental listings across Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and our own internal market data to give Brainerd Lakes property owners actionable insights into how to maximize their rental performance. We’ve examined occupancy trends, average daily rates, monthly revenue potential, amenities that drive bookings, and seasonality patterns unique to northern Minnesota, providing one of the most comprehensive overviews of the Brainerd Lakes short-term rental market available. Monthly Revenue for Brainerd Lakes Short Term Rentals in 2025 Looking only at the average monthly rental income for Brainerd Lakes Area Airbnb properties can be misleading, as it can be heavily skewed by outlier properties with extremely high nightly rates or cleaning fees. The median gives a more realistic picture of the revenue potential. Over the last 12 months, the median monthly revenue for a Brainerd Lakes short term rental was $3,476 and the annual revenue for an STR was $61,916. This is up 36% from the previous 12 months. Month/YearAug2024Sept2024Oct2024Nov2024Dec2024Jan2025Feb2025Mar2025Apr2025May 2025Jun 2025Jul2025Aug2025Median Monthly Revenue$6,493$3,764$3,312$2,553$2,519$1,934$3,305$3,476$3,261$4,607$8,040$10,471$9,723 Occupancy Rate for Brainerd Lakes Short Term Rentals in 2025 Over the last 12 months, the occupancy rate for Brainerd Lakes Airbnb properties was 42%, meaning a typical property was booked for 153 nights out of the year. This is up 2.4% from the previous 12 months. Month/YearAug 2024Sept2024Oct2024Nov2024Dec2024Jan 2025Feb2025Mar2025Apr 2025May2025Jun2025Jul 2025Aug 2025Median Monthly Occupancy Rate81%48%43%32%31%27%34%35%32%43%68%89%81% Nightly Rates for Brainerd Lakes Short Term Rentals in 2025 Over the last 12 months, the median nightly rate for short term rental properties in Brainerd Lakes was $321. This is up 29.7% over the previous 12 months. Month/YearJun 2024Jul 2024Aug 2024Sept 2024Oct 2024Nov 2024Dec 2024Jan 2025Feb 2025Mar 2024Apr 2025May 2025Jun 2025Median Nightly Rate$120$124$123$124$125$124$129$142$153$156$160$179$182 Top Areas of Brainerd Lakes for Short Term Rentals There’s strong demand for short term rentals across all of the Brainerd Lakes area, but a few areas show a stronger demand and command a higher nightly rate than others. Name Median Occupancy Rate Median Nightly Rate Annual Revenue Potential Garrison45%$323$53,493 Nisswa50%$353$64,962 Crosslake48%$456$81,265 Crosby58%$307$51,266 Key Factors Impacting Bookings and Revenue of Brainerd Lakes Vacation Rentals in 2025 In addition to property location, multiple factors influence the overall guest experience including amenities, cancellation policies, check-in methods, property size, and property type. Property Size (Bedrooms and Bathrooms) The mix of travelers to the Brainerd Lakes area means that properties of all sizes enjoy a relatively high occupancy rate. # of Bedrooms Median Occupancy Rate 0 53% 1 60% 2 56% 3 53% 4 52% 5 49% 6+ 54% # of Bathrooms Median Occupancy Rate 1 70% 2 80% 3 60% 4 70% 5 80% 6+ 60% Property Type 93% of Brainerd Lakes short term rentals are private homes where guests are renting the entire house whereas only 4% of listings are for apartments or condos. Despite the low inventory of condos and apartments, they have an 80% median occupancy rate. Property TypePrivate HomeApartment/CondoPrivate RoomOtherMedian Occupancy Rate60%80%70%70% Most Impactful Amenities These amenities had the highest impact on occupancy rates and nightly rate for Brainerd Lakes rentals. Gym Pool Beachfront/Lakefront Amazing views Hot tub Kitchen Parking Washer & dryer Air conditioning Fire place Most Common Amenities Across the full data set of Brainerd Lakes short term rentals, these were the most commonly found amenities in property listings Brainered Lakes & Crow Wing County Short Term Rental Regulations While Crow Wing County and the surrounding Brainerd Lakes region remain friendly toward vacation rentals, local governments have begun establishing more formal requirements to address growth, safety, and neighborhood balance. Compared to major metro areas like Minneapolis or St. Paul, Crow Wing County’s short-term rental rules are considerably more flexible. However, property owners still need to follow county and city-specific permitting, zoning, and tax obligations. Short-term rentals are legal and actively permitted in Crow Wing County and its incorporated cities, including Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Crosslake, and Pequot Lakes. Oversight is generally handled by each municipality’s planning and zoning department, with the County Environmental Services Department managing permits for unincorporated areas. Many lakefront and resort communities have adopted local ordinances to maintain safety, ensure proper septic system capacity, and manage density around sensitive shoreland areas. Short Term Rental Ownership & Zoning Limits Crow Wing County does not have ownership caps on the number of short term rental properties that an individual or company can operate. However, STRs are only allowed in zoning districts that permit residential or resort uses. In unincorporated areas, rentals must comply with the county’s land use ordinance, which regulates shoreland setbacks, minimum lot sizes, and wastewater systems. Short Term Rental Classifications While terminology varies by city, most Crow Wing County jurisdictions distinguish between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals. Owner-Occupied Units Typically the host’s primary residence or seasonal cabin. May require only registration or a simple inspection. Must meet local occupancy, parking, and noise standards. Required to display registration or permit numbers on listings. Non-Owner-Occupied Units Includes investment cabins, second homes, and resort properties. Generally requires a short-term rental or transient lodging permit. Must comply with septic inspection requirements, parking minimums, and safety equipment rules (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers). Subject to additional review if located in shoreland or environmentally sensitive zones. STR Licensing, Registration, and Fees in Crow Wing County Each jurisdiction within Crow Wing County sets its own application process, but most require the following: Completed application or zoning permit form. Proof of property ownership and local contact person available 24/7. Liability insurance (usually a minimum $300,000 coverage). Site plan or floor plan showing parking, bedrooms, and exits. Compliance with septic and building code standards. As of 2025: Crow Wing County (unincorporated areas): STR registration fee typically ranges from $100–$300, renewable annually or biannually. City of Nisswa: Requires a transient lodging license and annual inspection. City of Crosslake: Requires both zoning and rental permits; fees vary by property size and occupancy. Failure to register or renew can result in penalties or loss of rental privileges. Property owners and investors should consult the Minnesota Department of Health Licensing Jurisdiction Map to determine what additional licensing may be required beyond municipal and county licensing: Zoning for Short Term Rentals in Crow Wing County Crow Wing County’s Land Use Ordinance regulates short-term rentals primarily through environmental and safety standards rather than arbitrary limits. Key requirements include: Compliance with Shoreland Management rules (setbacks, impervious surface limits, and vegetative buffers). Adequate off-street parking for all guests. Verified septic capacity for maximum occupancy. Noise, trash, and light control consistent with residential use. Within city boundaries, zoning codes may be more restrictive, particularly in resort areas where rental density and lake access are closely monitored. Brainerd Lakes Vacation Rental Market Opportunity The Brainerd Lakes area continues to show a strong tourism base with biking, boating, fishing, resort stays, snowmobiling, and recreation drawing visitors year-round. The region has a long-standing history as a vacation destination, and tourism remains a key part of the local economy. The region offers a unique combination of nature-based travel, family getaways, and seasonal influxes that support rental occupancy and nightly rates that make it perfect for short term rental ownership. Whether you’re a homeowner thinking about getting into the Airbnb market for the first time or a real estate investor seeking long-term returns, Brainerd Lakes offers the ideal mix of income potential, regulation, and community alignment. Interested in having your property professionally managed by the local Crow Wing County short term rental experts from SkyRun? Learn how your property could be earning more. Get the profitability, care, and local expertise that you deserve. Learn More About Brainerd Lakes Short Term Rental Management Theresa & Craig Schaefer Minneapolis, MN Owners of SkyRun Twin Cities 612-482-3435 twincities@skyrun.com Call us today! Sign up for emails Trip inspiration, special offers, and vacation planning tips. Name(Required) First Last Email By submitting this form, I agree to SkyRun’s Privacy Policy Δ
