Gunflint Trail and Grand Marais Area
Welcome to the Gunflint Ranger District! This area is the most Northeastern portion of the Forest, stretching from near Lake Superior all the way to the Canandian Border. The district office is located right in the town of Grand Marais.
Follow the Gunflint Trail which is a designated National Scenic Byway to one of the many opportunities this district offers.
Six lakes linked by four portages make up the Twin Lakes Canoe Route.
Passes & Permits
Snowmobile Trails
- A snowmobile state trail pass and registration is required to ride on trails within the state of Minnesota.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- A permit is always required to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Fishing
- All fishing requires a State of Minnesota Fishing License.
Hunting
- Make sure you have the appropriate State of Minnesota Hunting License when hunting on National Forest System lands.
Watercraft/Boating
- Nonmotoried watercraft over 10 feet long and motorized watercraft need to be registered in Minnesota. Visit the state website for more information. Out of state watercraft do not need to register.
Recreation Sites
Ball Club Lake
Site Closed
This site is accessible by foot or boat and offers a remote experience on a 205 acre lake. The lake is 25 feet at its deepest point and is a quiet place to fish for brook trout, northern pike,…
Bally Creek Ski Trails
A multiple short loop cross country ski trail system with several access points. The connector trail to the Norpine/Cascade State Park trails will be groomed to the access at Cook County 45 and…
Banadad Ski Trail
A long ski trail which roughly parallels the Gunflint Trail road from near Mid-Trail to approximately the western end of Loon Lake. Most of the Banadad is within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area…
Bearskin Lake Backcountry Site
Site Open
Bearskin lake is 500 acres with 8 miles of shoreline. It borders Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on part of its north shoreline. There are two boat ramps, the northeastern one of Highway 66…
Birch Lake
Site Open
Birch Lake is a 236 acre lake just off the Gunflint Trail. There is one campsite a short walk from the boat access. A few miles further up the road is the Laurentian Divide Scenic Overlook. Waters…
Border Route Trail
This trail is 53 miles long and is a part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The trail follows the Canadian/Minnesota border. It connects to both the Kekekabic and Superior Hiking Trails,…
Brule Lake Trail
Brule Lake trail is a 7 miles of trail that takes you into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.Eagle Mountain, at 2,301 feet, is the highest point in Minnesota. Made of granite, the peak is…
Caribou Rock Trail
The Caribou Rock Trail is a 1.5 - 7 mile hike. The first 3/4 of a mile takes you to an overlook of West Bearskin lake. Continue on about another mile and you will be overlooking Moss Lake. Continue…
Cascade River Rustic Campground
Site Open
Cascade River Rustic Campground is a small camping area particularly suited to people who are planning to fish in the Cascade River or are looking for a remote place to camp. There are not tables…
Devil Track Lake Campground
Site Open
Devil Track Campground is a nicely wooded campground located on the shore of Devil Track Lake. There are many young pines in the area, making it an excellent spot to look for wildlife. Devil…