Where to Stay
The North Shore and Grand Marais area of Northern Minnesota offer a wide array of lodging options. From beautiful cliff side views of Lake Superior to serene views of lakes in the BWCA there are a multitude of options.
Because the Grand Marais postal code stretches a long distance in many directions, it can be confusing where to stay depending on the activities you have planned in the area.
Outside of camping arrangements during our guided overnight trips, Border Lakes Tour Company does not provide lodging to our guests. The following guide is intended to help you choose a lodging option that works best for you.
Below are links to places to stay in different parts of the Grand Marais and North Shore Area. There will be more details and descriptions soon!
Gunflint Trail
The Gunflint Trail (Hwy 12 leaving Grand Marais) is a scenic byway that cuts through the heart of the BWCA. This is where the majority of our guided trips take place! If you want an option that is likely closest to where you will meet your guide for an adventure, this is the place to stay! Click here for a list of great options! Most lodging on the Gunflint Trail is between 45 to 90 minutes away from Grand Marais. Some of our favorite places to eat (see below) are on the Gunflint Trail and a quick list of places to stay on the Gunflint include:
Poplar Haus: With a mix of lake side rustic and modern options for many group sizes and easy access off the Gunflint Trail, it is owned by a wonderful couple and they run our favorite restaurant on the trail!
White Pine Lodge: Recently renovated by another wonderful couple, White Pine also has a mix of options including a camp ground. It is very easy to get to off the Gunflint Trail and has great views of Poplar Lake!
Trail Center and Hungry Jack Lodge are some of the closest options to our most common guided day trips! They feature quintessential Northwoods vibes, have dining options and have more economical options!
Loon Lake Lodge: Owned by yet another wonderful couple, Loon Lake Lodge is even more secluded than our other quick list options, though everything on the Gunflint is very quiet! Loon Lake Lodge has a mix of options that are very historical and have great views of Loon Lake.
Grand Marais
Grand Marais is a beautiful town nestled along the shores of Lake Superior with plenty of options for lodging, shopping, dining, and a great launching place for adventures along the North Shore! It is where we call home! Grand Marais has the most amenities in the area with multiple grocery stores, including the Cook County Co-op, and gas stations, a hospital and plenty of fun restaurants, places to eat and shops! Click here and here for places to stay in Grand Marais.
Lutsen/Tofte/Schroeder
A little further south but still close to Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail are Lutsen, Tofte and Schoeder. Lutsen is well known as a ski destination in the winter and is lesser known as one of the primary Maple Syrup producers in the region. Each of these towns is nestled along Lake Superior! There are an abundance of options with cliff side views of the lake and many great trailheads to the Superior Hiking Trail. Check out options for lodging in this area here!
Grand Portage
This entire area of the North Shore includes the ancestral and contemporary homelands of the Anishinaabe and other indigenous peoples. Grand Portage is the current day reservation and sovereign tribal land of the Grand Portage Band Of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Grand Portage is rich in history, culture and natural beauty! It is the furthest town north along the North Shore with access to border crossing into Canada. Grand Portage includes the the Grand Portage National Monument which is typically our number one recommendation for things to do in the area (that is, after a guided tour with us, of course!) It includes a museum and full size replica fort with fun for the whole family to enjoy! Grand Portage also includes ferry access to Isle Royale National Park which often requires getting tickets a year in advance. Also along the Canadian border is Grand Portage State Park which features handicap accessible trails to Minnesota’s highest waterfall!
With lots to do and only a 40 minute drive from Grand Marais, Grand Portage is a great place to stay during your North Shore visit
Duluth and Two Harbors, MN and Superior, WI
If travelling from outside of Minnesota or you are looking to break up the drive from the Twin Cities, Duluth and Two Harbors are great options! Duluth is the southern start to the North Shore and is a great tourist destination. Superior, Wisconsin which is Duluth’s neighboring city across the port is also a great place to check out and often has more lodging options in the summer when Duluth can be fully booked. Check out places to stay in Two Harbors, Duluth and Superior!
