The 9 best attractions of the Gunflint Trail

If you’re heading up the Gunflint Trail, you’ll find 57 miles of remote boreal forest dotted with longtime resorts and campsites, all perched on the cusp of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. These places offer a sweet middle ground for light adventurers: a dose of wilderness paddling without needing to portage or brush up on backcountry skills.

Word of caution: Don’t assume you’ll have consistent cell or Internet service and take a map as backup. For some visitors, the rare chance to unplug from 24/7 work and digital distractions can be as alluring as remote campsites.

Known for its 48-mile network of cross-country ski trails, Bearskin Lodge also caters to summer hikers, paddlers and anglers, as well as those who just want to swim in East Bearskin Lake, soak in the hot tub or steam in the sauna. The resort celebrates its 100th year this summer and offers stays in knotty pine and log cabins and lodge townhouses. It also operates a 32-site campground on the lake for the U.S. Forest Service.

Follow Clearwater Road past Aspen and Flour Lakes to reach the parking area for Honeymoon Bluff, a climb with sweeping views of Hungry Jack Lake. For a longer hike, check out Magnetic Rock Trail, which doubles as the western terminus of Border Route Trail’s 65-mile trek along the U.S.-Canadian border and is part of North Country National Scenic Trail.

History emanates from this 1922 lodge on Clearwater Lake, about four miles north of the Gunflint Trail, with its scenic view of distant palisades. Lodge rooms include a bed-and-breakfast plan, a dozen cabins hug the lake, and staff can outfit guests for day trips or multi-day adventures into the BWCA with optional bunkhouse stays.

Located 2.5 miles off the Gunflint Trail, Hungry Jack Lodge Resort & Campground originated almost 100 years ago on Hungry Jack Lake. While the main lodge has been rebuilt a few times due to fires, it’s remained a dining hub for hand-cut fries, burgers and handmade pizzas. Guests can choose campsites or lakeside cabins with their own docks.

This long-ago logging camp offers a popular pit stop with walleye skillet breakfasts, bread pudding French toast, Friday fish fry, Swedish meatballs, burgers and malts Thursday through Monday. A store has everything from necessities to Bigfoot knit hats.

On the shores of Gunflint Lake and just across from Canada, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters is also celebrating it centennial. The lodge has cabins (including camper cabins), Justine’s Restaurant and all manner of summer and winter recreation, from paddling to cross-country skiing and even a two-hour zipline course.

This restored stone lodge near the end of the Trail covers natural history and cultural stories from Native Americans and traders to tourism pioneers, along with a scavenger hunt. Don’t miss hiking the trails crossing its 50 acres, with overlooks of Saganaga Lake, summer blueberry picking, and rocky outcrops covered with diverse colors and textures of lichen.

Pitch a tent or park a trailer at Trail’s End Campground at the end of the Gunflint Trail at this Superior National Forest site for easy access to sprawling Seagull Lake and the BWCAW.