What To Do

Tour the Gunflint Trail

One of our favorite day trips is taking a drive up the Gunflint Trail, the paved 57-mile road from Grand Marais to Saganaga Lake on the U.S. – Canadian border. You could take our word on it that the Gunflint is a pretty drive, but the designation as National Scenic Byway is an impressive seal of approval. Century old towering white pines, granite rubble left by receding glaciers, forests regenerating post-fire, sparkling blue lakes, fox, eagles, an occasional moose, an occasional road sign, and a distinct lake of buildings is what you will see.

There are, however, just enough buildings to provide for comfortable travel. Most obvious are those located mid-trail – a few shops, a few restaurants and a resort or two. Continuing north a turn on South Gunflint Lake brings you to a few resorts with restaurants and shops and outfitting services, the same as you will find at the very end of the road. One thing you'd be hard pressed to find to is a gas station, so fill up before you head out.

Canoeing

Dozens of lakes littler the landscape bisected by the Gunflint Trail. This affords an incredible opportunity to get out and paddle. And if you didn't bring a canoe, that's not a problem. You can make plans with one of the 10 outfitters in the Gunflint area. An ideal plan is to paddle the lake on which the outfitter is located. Rent the canoe, paddles, life jackets and whatever else you'd like and spend a day on the lake.