Grand Marais, Minnesota

A harbor arts town on the north shore of Lake Superior, with a lighthouse breakwall nearby, a cluster of waterfalls in the North Shore state parks, and the Boundary Waters canoe wilderness close by.

Grand Marais is located in Cook County, in the northeast corner of Minnesota, on a crescent-shaped natural harbor on the north shore of Lake Superior. It is about 175 km from Duluth and 60 km from the Canadian border. With a population of around 1,300, it is the best-known arts and outdoor town on the North Shore. Downtown has galleries, the North House Folk School and a long-standing doughnut shop. Outside the harbor, Artists’ Point and the lighthouse breakwall are where people watch sunrises, the northern lights and lake smoke in winter.

Along Highway 61 are the North Shore state parks. To the southwest are the canyon waterfalls of the Cascade River and Temperance River, the Lutsen Mountains gondola, and the fall-color loop on Oberg Mountain. To the northeast are Judge C. R. Magney State Park, home of Devil’s Kettle Falls, and the painted Naniboujou Lodge. Farther east are the High Falls of the Pigeon River, Minnesota’s tallest waterfall. To the northwest, the Gunflint Trail scenic byway leads to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, America’s most popular canoe wilderness. Visitors can rent boats for day trips or multi-day lake camping there, or climb Eagle Mountain, Minnesota’s highest point.

The best time to visit is June–October. Summers are cool, around 20°C during the day, ideal for paddling and hiking. Late September to early October brings peak fall colors, and also the tightest lodging. Winters are severely cold but good for skiing and snowmobiling, and clear nights offer a chance to see the northern lights. Driving is essentially the only way to get around. Minneapolis is about 5 hours away and Duluth about 2 hours. Plan to stay 3–4 days, with canoe trips extra.

Notes: State parks require a vehicle pass. Overnight stays in the Boundary Waters require an advance permit. Moose and black bears are common in the wilds, so store food as required.

Top sights

Where to eat