FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Where can I go to see a moose?
A: There are many places to see moose along the Gunflint Trail. Most often they will be in or near swampy areas in the summer and on the curves of the Trail in the winter. Be careful: They often stand right on the road. We’ll happily share the most recently viewed locations with our guests while you’re at Gunflint Pines.
Q: Is there a motor horsepower restriction on Gunflint Lake?
A: No, Gunflint Lake does not have a motor horsepower restriction. Keep in mind that Gunflint is a quiet lake. We see fishing boats but little to no water skiing activity. Please do not bring Jet skis to our property.
Q: Do I need a passport to fish or visit in Canada? A: No, as long as you don’t touch shore or anchor on Canadian soil. If you choose to visit shore, a passport won’t work, because there’s no customs station to report to. You’ll need a Remote Area Border Crossing permit (RABC) from Immigration Canada. Note: if while fishing both sides, or traveling the border to visit and recreate in the United States, you need to portage on land, you do not need the Remote Area Border Crossing Permit, thanks to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 between the United States and the Crown.
Q: Can I fish on both sides of the lake?
A: Yes, if you have both a Minnesota fishing license and an Ontario fishing license and Ontario outdoors card. If you anchor or touch shore on the Canadian side, you will also need a Remote Area Border Crossing permit from Immigration Canada.
Q: How can I tell if I’m crossing the border on the lake?
A: Many people ask if there’s a “line” in the lake or markers along the border. There are no border markers in the lake, but the border splits the lake down the middle north/south, so it’s pretty simple. (But if you have gullible friends, we’ll be happy to tell them there’s a laser beam that will cut the boat in half if you cross the line.)
Q: Where can I catch fish?
A: The simple answer is, look at the map and fish in the blue, camp in the green. But, seriously, we can show you the structure on the lake and where you’re most likely to have luck.
Q: Does Gunflint Pines guarantee I’ll catch fish?
A: We can guarantee the fish if you can guarantee the fisherman.
Q: Is there a hike I can do along Gunflint Lake?
A: There is not a hiking trail directly along the shore Gunflint Lake, but there are nearby Superior National Forest trails that follow lake shorelines. There are a also variety of hiking trails nearby, some of which feature breathtaking views of Gunflint Lake from high above the shore. We’ll help you find the right hiking trail for you.
Q: Can I hike to Bridal Falls?
A: If you boat to the east end of Gunflint Lake to the beginning of the trail, there is a short, 15-minute hike into the woods from the lake shore to the falls. There are two other options: both of which are approximately 7 mile round-trip hikes from our side road or from the back side of Loon Lake.
Q: When can I see the Northern lights?
A: Northern lights are potentially visible any time of year—at night, of course. You can check the Alaska Geophysical Institute Aurora Forecast and sign up for alerts to see when you have the best chance to view them. Keep in mind, cloud cover and moonlight can affect the brightness of the northern lights, and the lights are more likely to appear in the middle of the night around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m.
Q: Can I pitch a tent on the site with the camping cabin?
A: No, the Minnesota Department of Health does not allow any additional sleeping accommodations on the camping cabin sites.
Q: Where’s the nearest ATM?
A: Plan ahead when you visit the Gunflint Trail. The nearest ATMs are in Grand Marais (our nearest town), 43 miles away.