North Shore, Minnesota
Grand Marais
A Lake Superior harbour town of artists and boat builders: Artist's Point, the harbour lighthouse, North House Folk School, and the Gunflint Trail into the Boundary Waters, with state-park waterfalls along the shore.
Photo: Grand Marais Lighthouse, Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0
Grand Marais curves around a small harbour on Lake Superior's North Shore. A rocky spit called Artist's Point leads out to the breakwater lighthouse, and the Grand Marais Art Colony has drawn painters here since 1947.
On the harbour, North House Folk School teaches traditional northern crafts like boatbuilding and woodworking. Inland, the Gunflint Trail runs about 57 miles toward the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Along the shore, state parks protect rushing rivers and waterfalls. Be adventurous: this is the North.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Over a million acres of lakes and portages. Permits needed for overnight trips.
Cheap
Cascade River State Park
Waterfalls and trails where the Cascade River tumbles to Lake Superior.
Cheap
Judge C. R. Magney State Park
Home of the Devil's Kettle, a falls that seems to swallow half the river.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Grand Marais harbour lighthouse
A breakwater lighthouse at the harbour entrance.
Free
Johnson Heritage Post
A gallery of regional art and history in town.
Cheap
North House Folk School
Traditional craft classes and a schooner on the harbour.
Cheap
Chik-Wauk Museum
History and nature at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
North House Folk School classes
Traditional craft classes and sails on the harbour.
Sawtooth Outfitters
Canoe and kayak rentals and Boundary Waters outfitting in Tofte, about 30 minutes southwest.
Part of our Western Lake Superior guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The Gunflint Trail and its lakes take a full day.
- Cascade River and Judge Magney waterfalls make a perfect morning.
- Lake Superior sunsets and dark northern skies only happen if you stay.
Nearby and worth the drive
Duluthabout 1 h 50 · Guide ↗
The Aerial Lift Bridge and Canal Park.
Thunder Bayabout 2 h · Guide ↗Kakabeka Falls and the Sleeping Giant (passport).
Ready-made trips with Grand Marais
Good to know
- Boundary Waters: Overnight trips need permits: Superior National Forest.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Grand Marais Lighthouse, Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Artist's Point, Grand Marais, Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cascade River in winter, Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Devil's Kettle, Judge C. R. Magney State Park, Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Temperance River, Thesavagenorwegian, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Trail on Loon Lake, Gunflint Trail, Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0