Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway
Places to Visit
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North of Gunflint Lake is an ancient Indian cave. The cave is one of the only Indian sites that has been discovered in the area available for visitors to tour.
Distance from byway: 4 mi / 6.4 km Directions: The cave is across the Canadian border just north of Gunflint Lake.
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Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center (MN)
Chik-Wauk is a National Register of Historic Places site. The rock for the lodge was all gathered locally during construction in 1935. The area surrounding Chik-Wauk is representative of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area terrain, with lakes, rocky shoreline, and forest. Beaver live in the bay, note the beaver lodge on the south shore.
Distance from byway: 0.25 mi / 0.4 km Directions: Turn right onto Moose Pond Road to reach Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. The museum is about .25 mile off the Gunflint Trail.
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Gunflint Trail is home to three large cross-county ski areas, appropriately named "Mid-Gunflint," "Banadad," and "Upper Gunflint." Over 200 kilometers of groomed and tracked trails wind through the forest in winter, where the average snowfall is 110 inches.
Location: Mid-Gunflint Trail Ski Area is accessed from East Bearskin Road and Clearwater Road. Upper Gunflint Trail Ski Area is accessed from North and South Gunflint Lake Roads, and other access points. Banadad Trail is long and accessible from several points.
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Cross River runs under the Gunflint Trail here. Rushing water and rapids attract photographers and picnickers. The parking area provides access to part of the Upper Gunflint Trail cross-country ski system. Cross-country skiing is a great way to enjoy the natural forest, lakes, and landforms of the area. Trails wind through unpopulated wildland.
Location: Mile 46.2
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George Washington Forest Ski and Hiking Area (MN)
The route is relatively unpopulated from this point to the termination of the scenic byway. Hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing through this area provide opportunity to see the diverse forest, both deciduous and coniferous trees, wildflowers and birds in the warm-weather months, and ample snowfall in winter. Local mammals to watch for on the entire route include timber wolf, coyote, moose, whitetailed deer, and black bear.
Location: Mile 6.9
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Grand Marais sits between a beautiful harbor on Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountain Range and is rich in culture and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Begin driving the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, Minnesota.
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Grand Marais & Sawtooth Mountain Ridgeline (MN)
Rising 1,000 feet above Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountain Ridgeline is a jagged “sawtooth” of pointed hills. Grand Marais was first settled by white people in 1850. The natural harbor attracted those requiring supplies arriving by boat. Lake Superior provided sustenance in fish and a means of transportation. In the past, Grand Marais economy relied on fishing, logging, shipping, mining, and eventually, tourism.
Location: Near Grand Marais, Minnesota.
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Gunflint Lake & Magnetic Lake Overlook (MN)
The view from this vista was once traveled by French Voyageurs by canoe on the trade route. The geology of the area dates back 1.65 billion years ago. Rocks include iron outcroppings. This is a deep lake with excellent lake trout fishing. The far view is of Canada.
Location: Mile 44.2
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This dramatic view is of Gunflint Lake, Magnetic Lake, and the Canadian border. Palisade cliffs line Gunflint Lake just east of this overlook. Iron ore is found in the rocks. Geologists call the rocks in this area Rove Formation.
Location: Mile 44.2 on the Gunflint Trail.
