Minnesota's North Shore
Know Before You Go
The small things that catch first-time visitors out — and how staying with us takes care of each one.
Highway 61 is the North Shore's lifeline, and winter driving means snow, ice, and long stretches between towns.
Come with cold-weather tires and a full tank; we keep the drive and any seasonal notes in the guidebook. The lodge's ski & snowboard storage keeps gear tidy between days.
Last updated March 12, 2026
Cell coverage drops out in stretches along the shore and inland.
Download maps and trail info before you head out; the lodge Wi-Fi handles everything back at base.
The night sky here is genuinely dark — that's the point.
On clear nights, step away from the lights for the stars and, in the right season, the northern lights. We'll tell you where to look.
Summer means ticks and mosquitoes in the woods, especially at dawn and dusk.
Pack repellent and do a tick check after trail days — standard North Woods practice, worth the trails.
Moose and deer are active on roads at dawn and dusk.
Ease off the gas on Highway 61 and back roads at first and last light — the wildlife is a highlight, from a safe distance.
Spring 'mud season' and Grand Marais's busy summer weekends both catch visitors out.
We'll steer you to the best windows — quieter shoulder weeks, and the calmer hours in Grand Marais.