Yes. You need to get a reservation from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area in order to be allowed in. However, if you don't mind walking an additional 3 miles or so, I believe you can park in a lot outside of the entrance. The reservation fee is $14 for a car and $2 for a general reservation fee. On top of that, you might struggle to get into the Long Lake parking area unless you reserve well in advance because the parking spots are limited and this is a very popular destination. One piece of bad news is that I have a friend who was out there a week ago and said that they are actually already in the process of draining Lake Isabelle for the winter. Timed entry tickets can be found here: www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087515 I am actually planning to go back on 9/16 to do the Mitchell Lake trail up to Blue Lake. Mitchell Lake is a slightly easier reservation to get than the Long Lake Parking, I believe.
Do we need to purchase any tickets to enter those lakes? Thanks.
Yes. You need to get a reservation from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area in order to be allowed in. However, if you don't mind walking an additional 3 miles or so, I believe you can park in a lot outside of the entrance. The reservation fee is $14 for a car and $2 for a general reservation fee. On top of that, you might struggle to get into the Long Lake parking area unless you reserve well in advance because the parking spots are limited and this is a very popular destination. One piece of bad news is that I have a friend who was out there a week ago and said that they are actually already in the process of draining Lake Isabelle for the winter. Timed entry tickets can be found here: www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087515
I am actually planning to go back on 9/16 to do the Mitchell Lake trail up to Blue Lake. Mitchell Lake is a slightly easier reservation to get than the Long Lake Parking, I believe.