City area was a bustling fur trading station in the 1700s and includes a harbor with natural breakwall rock outcroppings
General Information
How to Get There
From Duluth, MN (110 mi): Take MN-61 E (North Shore Scenic Drive) northeast from Duluth, following Lake Superior's shoreline for approximately 110 miles to Grand Marais.
Overview
Grand Marais is a city on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The area was a bustling fur trading station in the 1700s, and the French Canadian Voyageurs termed the settled village "Grand Marais" ("Great Marsh"), referring to a marsh that, in early fur-trading times, was 20 acres (8.1 ha) or less in area, nearly at the level of Lake Superior, and at the head of the little bay and harbor that led to the settlement of the village there. Another small bay on the east, less protected from storms, is separated from the harbor by a slight projecting point and a short beach. "Grand Marais" also may mean "sheltered water area", as the harbor has natural breakwall rock outcroppings, providing a natural safe harbor for early Lake Superior explorers.
Things to Do
Discover the Artistic Heart of Minnesota's North Shore
Grand Marais is a charming harbor town located on the shores of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. Often considered one of the most beautiful small towns in the Midwest, Grand Marais is known for its stunning lakefront scenery, vibrant arts community, outdoor recreation, and access to some of Minnesota's most spectacular natural attractions. The town serves as a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest, and the North Shore's scenic parks and trails.
Explore the Grand Marais Harbor and Lighthouse
The city's picturesque harbor is one of its most iconic attractions. Visitors can walk the breakwater to the historic Grand Marais Lighthouse, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Superior, watch boats enter the harbor, and photograph some of the most scenic waterfront landscapes in Minnesota.
Experience the Arts and Local Culture
Grand Marais is home to galleries, studios, music venues, and the renowned North House Folk School. Visitors can explore local art exhibits, attend cultural events, learn traditional crafts, and enjoy a thriving creative community inspired by the beauty of Lake Superior and the North Woods.
Visit Judge C.R. Magney State Park and Devil's Kettle
Just north of Grand Marais, Judge C.R. Magney State Park attracts visitors with its famous Devil's Kettle waterfall, where part of the Brule River disappears into a deep rock formation before reemerging downstream. The park offers outstanding hiking opportunities and scenic river landscapes.
Enjoy Outdoor Recreation Year-Round
Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, camping, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, skiing, and photography. Grand Marais is a popular base for exploring the North Shore, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Superior National Forest.
Top Trails
Pincushion Mountain Trail
Length: Approximately 3 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Located just outside Grand Marais, this trail climbs to scenic overlooks offering breathtaking views of Lake Superior, Grand Marais Harbor, and the surrounding forests. It is especially popular during fall foliage season.
Artist's Point Trail
Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
This short shoreline walk explores a rocky peninsula extending into Lake Superior. Visitors enjoy dramatic wave action, harbor views, unique rock formations, and opportunities for photography throughout the year.
Superior Hiking Trail
Length: Variable distances available
Elevation Gain: Moderate to Strenuous
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Several segments of the Superior Hiking Trail are accessible from Grand Marais. The trail traverses forests, ridges, waterfalls, rivers, and overlooks while providing some of the finest hiking opportunities in the Great Lakes region.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park Trails
Length: Approximately 1.8 miles round trip to Devil's Kettle
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
This popular trail follows the Brule River to Devil's Kettle Falls, one of Minnesota's most famous natural attractions. Visitors enjoy river views, waterfalls, forest scenery, and interpretive information about the area's geology.
Sources: Visit Cook County and Grand Marais tourism information regarding Grand Marais Harbor, Artist's Point, North House Folk School, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and local attractions. https://www.visitcookcounty.com and https://northhouse.org
Additional information verified through Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Superior Hiking Trail Association resources covering Pincushion Mountain, Judge C.R. Magney State Park, Devil's Kettle, Superior Hiking Trail access, and North Shore recreation opportunities. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us and https://superiorhiking.org
Grand Marais is a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), via the Gunflint Trail, historically a footpath for travelers and fur traders from inland lakes to Lake Superior. It is now County Road 12, a paved National Scenic Byway that begins in Grand Marais and ends at Saganaga Lake in the BWCAW, near the U.S. border with Ontario. It provides access to many of BWCAW's entry points.
The land surrounding Grand Marais slopes up to form the Sawtooth Bluff, a dramatic rock face visible from nearly any vantage point in the city. Adjacent to the bluff is Pincushion Mountain, a large bald monolith with views of Lake Superior and the inland wilderness.
Grand Marais Harbor is protected by Artist's Point, a barrier island formed by lava that was connected to the mainland by gravel deposited by lake currents, forming a tombolo.
Road access to Grand Marais is by Minnesota Highway 61, which follows the shore of Lake Superior, and is known as the North Shore Scenic Drive. The Gunflint Trail (Cook County Road 12) begins in Grand Marais and heads northwest, away from the lake and into the Boundary Waters region.
Grand Marais is 110 miles northeast of Duluth and 38 miles southwest of the Canada-US border.
There are numerous hiking trails in and around Grand Marais, including the Grand Marais breakwater trail, which leads to the Grand Marais lighthouse. Area fishing lakes are also said to be some of the best in the state.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Grand Marais, Minnesota", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
