A Local's Guide
Lutsen, Grand Marais, and the wider North Shore — a curated guide to make the most of your stay on Caribou Lake.
North Shore
The cabins, the state parks, the ski hill, the golf course, the towns — all on one map. Click any marker to learn more.
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Year-Round
Nine miles from the cabin. Lutsen Mountains is the Midwest's premier ski and summer resort — four interconnected peaks, 95 runs, and the only true mountain ski experience in the Midwest. In summer and fall, the Summit Express Gondola — the Midwest's only gondola — rises 1,000 feet above Lake Superior for one of the most photographed views on the North Shore.
Operates summer and fall. Ride to the top of Moose Mountain for panoramic Lake Superior views — especially spectacular at fall color peak.
Alpine slide, mountain biking on lift-served downhill trails, hiking the Superior Hiking Trail right from the resort.
95 runs across four peaks, ~8 feet of average annual snow, plus state-of-the-art snowmaking. Ski school for first-timers and family terrain throughout.
North Shore Classics
Three of Minnesota's best state parks are within an easy drive, and spring snowmelt turns the rivers into the most dramatic waterfalls of the year.
15 minutes from the cabin
Rushing river and grand waterfalls in a moss-and-fern gorge of black volcanic rock. A 1.2-mile loop hike passes several waterfalls, with spur trails along the river. The park also has 1.5 miles of Lake Superior shoreline you can hike along the rocks — a rare way to experience the lake.
~50 minutes
Four sets of dramatic waterfalls on the Baptism River — Cascade, Two Step, High, and Illgen. High Falls is 70 feet, the tallest waterfall entirely within Minnesota. Rugged cliffs, inland lakes, and one of the North Shore's most photogenic stretches of coast.
~75 minutes — pair with a Duluth stop
The "Gateway to the North Shore." Five waterfalls in three miles of river, dropping 240 feet to Lake Superior. Paved, accessible trails lead to the famous Middle Falls a tenth of a mile from the visitor center.
Tip: spring (April–May) is peak waterfall season — snowmelt makes every river roar.
Trails for Every Pace
Cook County has more than 2,000 miles of trails — from rugged singletrack to backcountry gravel to the paved Gitchi Gami State Trail along Lake Superior. Some local favorites:
One of the most popular hikes in Lutsen. Part of the Superior Hiking Trail, the loop circles the top of Oberg Mountain with sweeping views of Lake Superior, Superior National Forest, and Oberg Lake. Best in fall.
One of the tallest peaks on the North Shore. Unbelievable views of Lake Superior, the Superior National Forest, and the Poplar River valley.
The Superior Hiking Trail runs 310 miles along the North Shore. A short out-and-back from a Lutsen trailhead takes you to a bridge directly over the falls.
Paved, family-friendly, runs along Lake Superior shore. Great for casual rides with kids or anyone wanting flat pavement instead of singletrack.
25 Minutes Up the Shore
The picturesque harbor village on Lake Superior — Minnesota's oldest art colony and the gateway to the Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The downtown is three blocks of shops, restaurants, museums, and galleries clustered around Wisconsin Street and Harbor Park.
The rocky tombolo at the harbor's edge, with the Grand Marais lighthouse at the tip. Easy walk from downtown, photo-perfect at sunrise.
Founded 1947 — Minnesota's oldest arts school. Workshops in painting, printmaking, ceramics. Walk-in gallery to browse.
Traditional crafts of the northern hemisphere — woodworking, blacksmithing, weaving, boatbuilding. Drop-in tours of the campus on the harbor.
December — March
Cook County is home to the largest cross-country trail network in North America — 153 km of groomed trails across Sugarbush, Norpine, Cascade River, and Lutsen Mountains trail systems. Add downhill skiing at Lutsen, snowshoeing on the Oberg Mountain trail, fat biking, and snowmobiling on hundreds of miles of groomed routes.
Sugarbush, Norpine, Cascade River, and Lutsen all have groomed trail systems within minutes. Rentals available from Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte.
The Oberg Mountain snowshoe trail connects to the Sugarbush system at Onion River Road. Snowshoe rentals in Tofte; bring layers and a thermos.
Lutsen Mountains, 9 miles away. Four peaks, 95 runs, ~8 feet of annual snow, plus state-of-the-art snowmaking.
The North Shore is a fat-bike destination — groomed singletrack at Sugarbush and the Britton Peak system above Tofte.
Local Favorites
North Shore restaurants source locally — Lake Superior herring, whitefish, trout, and coho salmon, plus seasonal berries and locally-made maple syrup. A few worth the drive:
Grand Marais Harbor
A small indoor/outdoor restaurant in a converted commercial fishing shanty on the edge of the harbor. Local fish, simple cooking, killer view.
Grand Marais
Family owned since 1969. Cake donuts, skizzles, and kabobs. Get there early — lines form by 8am in summer.
Grand Marais
Wide-ranging menu — soups and chili, southwest-inspired entrées, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, burritos, homemade pizzas. Live music regularly.
Plan Your Trip
Both cabins are bookable on Evolve.