Location: Grand Marais
Top Things to do in Grand Marais
What to do and see in Grand Marais, Minnesota (MN): The Best Nature & Parks
Grand Marais is a city in Cook County, Minnesota, United States. It is a northern village located on the shores of Lake Superior, and a vibrant, bustling town. The population was 1,351 at the 2010 census. It is also the county seat and sole municipality of Cook County. Prior to inhabitation by white settlers and prior to Minnesota’s statehood, Grand Marais was inhabited by the Anishinaable indigenous people, the thriving woodland people also known as the Ojibwe. The Ojibwe name for the area is Gichi-biitoobiig, which means "great duplicate water," "parallel body of water" or "double body of water" (like a bayou), a reference to the two bays which form the large harbor off Lake Superior.
Restaurants in Grand Marais
1. Poplar Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
Entry point to many lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Reviewed By 198loriw
Love the multiple islands and inlets that make up this lake. Lots of character to this lake. Gorgeous for kayaking!
2. Grand Portage State Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 261 reviews
Located northwest of Lake Superior, this area offers camping, hiking, cross-country skiing and dogsledding.
Reviewed By BCSunflower777 - Chanhassen, United States
The short walk to High Falls is lovely--and the view at the end is spectacular. After driving to the top of Minnesota, why wouldn't you stop to see this? As the highest waterfall in Minnesota, it is a magnificent natural beauty and mesmerizing as most waterfalls are. The visitor center is clean and well maintained, too, with a nice gift shop and interpretive displays about Ojibwe culture. The 1/2 mile trail is paved and has very little elevation gain, making it accessible to nearly everyone.
3. Honeymoon Bluff
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By 92lisab
A bit of a hike, but so worth the steps to reach the summit! You can see a wide vista, birds, bees, wild flowers, lakes, feel the fresh breeze and just simply experience nature in it's finest
4. Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
A good example of Minnesota's North Shore wilderness with waterfalls, forests and wildlife.
Reviewed By traveltheworld012 - Rochester, United States
This state park south of Grand Marais is a wonderful stop to camp or take a hike, The waterfalls here are magnificent! Be aware though that the 2.5 mile round trip trail can be strenuous for some. There are around 250 steps on the trail and one stairway alone has 183 steps....yep I counted them! The trail follows the Brule River to the Devil's Kettle Falls. It is actually the upper portion of the falls and that one alone drops 50 feet. It is magnificent!! There are other trails as well: Timberdoodle Trail which is mostly flat and a 1-mile loop. The Gauthier Creek Trail is wooded and you will likely encounter wildflowers here. The Devil's Kettle does connect to the Superior Trail where you could go even much, much further. Campsites here are wooded and just average in scenery but does connect to the Gauthier Trail. Overall a very beautiful park and close to the fun little town of Grand Marais.
5. Pincushion Mountain Trail System
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By CelticHeather - Saint Paul, United States
Our hosts gave us a route through the park that was a bit off the usual mapped route. Rock face was a bit challenging but worth it for the view.
6. Honeymoon Bluff Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Toycel150 - Rogers, United States
Quick and easy hike. Mostly steps to get up to elevation. Views are amazing. We went early in the day have have heard sunset is best time to visit
7. Cut Face Creek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By 978DanW978 - Portland, United States
I'd stopped at the wayside and explored the beach before - which is nice enough - but not until last week was I tipped off to the wonders of the creek by the "Waterfalls of the North Shore" book lent me by a friend. At low flow (much of the time - its watershed is quite small) you can walk from the beach up the creek to a sort-of waterfall. Really more of a 100 yard long series of cascades. My guidebook cautions that it's tricky to time it right - at higher flows you will get soaked, and it quickly dries up after rains, leaving you without a waterfall. For us the flow was on the low side, but there was some water coming over the falls and cascades. We managed to make it to the falls without getting our feet wet. I think it's about a half mile into the falls, but the creek makes so twists and turns, I'd guess only a couple hundred straight-line yards from the beach. And such a different world. There are sheer canyon walls 50-100 feet high where the creek makes its tight bends. I'm no geological expert, but the diversity of rocks in this creek is more than I've seen anywhere. Be aware that since this is part of a state park, it's illegal to take rocks or anything else. Also, do not attempt this during or after heavy rains. There are parts of the canyon where it might be difficult to escape to higher ground in the event of a flash flood. Anyway, one of the coolest places I have explored on the North Shore.
8. Kadunce River Rest Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
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