Gunflint Trail Activities Canoe Day Trips Hiking Trails Fall Foliage
Watercraft Rentals Fishing Nature Watching Museums
Grand Marais Lodge Activities
Grand Marais, MN
Clearwater Historic Lodge & Canoe Outfitters is in Grand Marais, MN, but the actual town is 35-40 miles down the Gunflint Trail. Our remote location deep in the Northwoods makes a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle, but our proximity to this ideal lakeside resort town means guests to Clearwater who want a bit of culture can “have their cake and eat it, too” as they say.
Almost all our guests will at least roll through the quaint town of Grand Marais on their way to the lodge, because the town sits on Highway 61 on the North Shore of Lake Superior right at the mouth of the Gunflint Trail. About 110 miles from Duluth, Grand Marais is a popular destination for a vacation getaway for Minneapolis/Twin Cities city dwellers searching for cooler temperatures and fresh air. In 2015 its merits as a resort town became more nationally recognized when it was voted “America’s coolest small town.”
Grand Marais may be small (with only a bit more than 1,300 full-time residents (according to the 2010 census), but it leaves a BIG impression. It attracts many artists, writers, and foodies who appreciate its scenic setting along Lake Superior and the Superior National Forest. Grab an espresso and walk along its rocky shoreline, then explore its downtown which boasts plenty of eateries, shops, and museums. Top it off with a pint at one of the taverns, and you have a day trip worth making the drive.
For ideas of things to do, check out these lists: