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
Eagle Mountain Trail
Eagle Mountain Trail is a 3 1/2 mile hike to the top of Eagle Mountain, which at 2301 feet is the highest point in Minnesota. It is not a loop trail, and the round trip to the summit is 7 miles with…
East Bearskin Lake Campground
Site Open
East Bearskin Lake Campground is located on its namesake lake, at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. It is a perfect spot for visitors who want the…
East Twin Lake
Site Open
East Twin Lake is a small lake that is part of the Twin Lakes Canoe Route. PortagesWest Twin Lake to East Twin Lake -
Elbow Lake (Gunflint)
Site Open
There are 16 Elbow Lakes in Minnesota. This particular one is located in Cook County and is 408 acres with almost 7 miles of shoreline. At a maximum depth of 9 feet, this lake is perfect for anglers…
Flour Lake Campground
Site Open
Flour Lake Campground provides a convenient home base for exploring the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Its scenery, amenities and access to outdoor recreation areas make it a popular…
Greenwood Lake
Site Open
This large, 2,042 acre lake has 23 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 112 feet.
Gunflint Lake
Site Open
Gunflint Lake is a 4,009 acre lake that is half in the US and half in Canada.With a shoreline of 39 miles there are plenty of places to pull up for a little shoreline fishing or camping at one of the…
Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway
Site Open
The Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway is one of three nationally designated scenic byways in the Superior National Forest. It runs approximately 57 miles along the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais to…
Ham Lake
Site Open
Ham Lake is a 119-acre lake with 3.8 miles shoreline and a maximum depth of 40 feet. This lake is just outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and is only accessible by foot or boat.The…
Iron Lake Campground
Site Open
Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size. Fishing and canoeing are its…