Lake / Lodge Recommendation (Ely, Clearwater, Trail: to rent, hotels, houses)

[JJGittes65]

We are planning a trip to Minnesota. We'd like to stay at a lake lodge/resort with the following:

Beautiful scenery, hiking nearby
Canoeing (no powerboats)
close to a quaint town is a plus
decent fishing
An interesting lake, perhaps with islands and inlets, as opposed to a huge open windy lake
Nice accommodations (not the Ritz, but clean and relatively modern), small is fine, no huge resorts.

We were thinking about the BWCA but portages and tent camping is not our thing. Perhaps there are some lodges up there with good day tripping..?

thanks

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by JJGittes65

We are planning a trip to Minnesota. We'd like to stay at a lake lodge/resort with the following:

Beautiful scenery, hiking nearby
Canoeing (no powerboats)
close to a quaint town is a plus
decent fishing
An interesting lake, perhaps with islands and inlets, as opposed to a huge open windy lake
Nice accommodations (not the Ritz, but clean and relatively modern), small is fine, no huge resorts.

We were thinking about the BWCA but portages and tent camping is not our thing. Perhaps there are some lodges up there with good day tripping..?

thanks

https://www.google.com/travel/hotels...5lc290YZIBAiAB

I would highly recommend this place, we have stayed here at least three times, but we stayed in one of the bunkhouses just overnight, as we leave in the morning for the BWCAW tripping. This though is a really nice quiet place with really nice cabins, and the hiking trail that we have done several times is nearby, the famous Magnetic Rock Hiking Trail.

There are many many lodges up along the Gunflint Trail to chose from, and it is close to Grand Marias which is the most awesome town, The SHT is near there Superior Hiking Trail, and there is a lot to do there.

Loon Lake Lodge, East Bearskin is another really good choice, the Famous Stairway Portage, is found at the end of the Caribou Rock Hiking Trail which is very near here. From this trail you can see a many many miles into Canada, Ross Lake, Duncan Lake are all below. The views are splendid. This though is a moderate to difficult trail and trail is rugged. We have hiked it and love it.

Rockwood Lodge is another good one, Clearwater Lodge is nice also.

We have on several occasions stayed the weekend in Grand Marias, at the southern end of town, on the lake side is a really nice cabins to stay in. These are small furnished cabins that are beautiful. Kitchens and bath.

Actually there are so many to chose from, not only in this region, but over toward Ely direction as well.

However I would recommend the Gunflint Trail area as being the best, up along that section there are many many lodges that are remote and perfect for what you want.

Another Place I would highly recommend it Clearwater Histioric Lodge, built in early 1920's this is I believe is the first lodge built in the area. The entire building is a awesome built beautiful place, all the furniture is original the wood work is outstanding a must see place.

https://clearwaterhistoriclodge.com/

However please keep in mind, any or most all of these places you would be well advised to call ahead a make reservations for the trip, as this time of year they get booked fast.

A really powerful tool to use in considering is this from this you can plan and further enhance the trip;

https://www.visitcookcounty.com/

This entire area is full of the best hiking trails. There are many many to chose from again.

The Kek, Magnetic Rock, Basswood Falls, Duncan Lake Spur trail which connects up to the Boarder Route Trail which is way cool trail. There are many more trails.

Keep in Mind that if you can canoe, there are many many places to rent a canoe and life jackets available. Then you can day trip into the BWCA, and not have to stay overnight. Just need to fill out a day trip form entry slip.

Hope you make it, it is a lifetime of memories waiting,

[wamer27]

The Grand Ely Lodge in Ely sounds like it would work.

https://www.grandelylodge.com/?chebs=local-gel

[Izzie1213]

Lake Itasca State Park. Call to see if any openings though. I will post a link. You cat walk across the Mississippi!! It's the Mississippi headwaters.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_pa...its_rooms.html

Even in full season it never seems crowded. It is in a State Park. It's very quiet. I'm pretty sure you can rent canoes and small, not fancy fishing boats . Not a place for speed boats, you won't see any, or wave runners.

FYI, some of the rooms in lodge have shared bathrooms. At least they did as a few years ago. It's been years since I have stayed there. Have visited for day trip a few years ago.

[JJGittes65]

Wow, great info!! These suggestions are excellent. Thanks!!!!!

[JJGittes65]

How are the colors in fall in this area? When do the colors typically change?

[Izzie1213]

Fall colors typically start middle of September.
Great info on this link

https://www.exploreminnesota.com/tra...-color-drives/