You Won't Believe This Town Is In Minnesota

When most people think of the North American boreal forest and northern lights, places like Alaska and Canada are often the first that come to mind. However, just 45 minutes from the US-Canada border, Grand Marais, Minnesota, brings a slice of that rugged north to the Midwest. This harbor town sits on the shores of Lake Superior, surrounded by rivers and waterfalls, and is home to Minnesota’s oldest art colony. For travelers seeking a unique and memorable destination, Grand Marais provides an experience unlike any other.

Exploring Grand Marais' State Parks

Along Lake Superior’s rugged coast, Grand Marais is bordered by state parks known for their waterfalls, rivers, and boreal forests. One of the nearest to town is Cascade River State Park, gorgeously home to a river and waterfalls that lie within a gorge made of black volcanic rock. The park’s trail winds through boreal forests of spruce, cedar, aspen, and birch, leading hikers to beautiful views of Lake Superior. There is also abundant wildlife within the park, including moose, wolves, bears, and pine martens.

Northwest of Grand Marais, also along Lake Superior’s coast, lies Judge C.R. Magney State Park. Its most famous landmark, Devil’s Kettle, is a natural phenomenon where half of the Brule River falls 50 feet into a pool while the other half seemingly disappears into a deep pothole. The river winds through the park, forming rapids and waterfalls before meeting Lake Superior. Birdwatchers flock here for summer warblers, and in early fall, the park becomes a hotspot for hawk migration.

If you continue to head northwest, you will eventually hit Grand Portage State Park, located right along the Minnesota and Canada border. Although this park is about a 45-minute drive from Grand Marais, it is well worth the trip, as it is home to the state’s tallest waterfall! The falls drop 120 feet into the Pigeon River, an impressive sight that visitors can reach by a half-mile trail and boardwalk leading to an overlook. The majority of the park is covered by mixed hardwood forests, with boreal forests located along the park’s slopes and crests. The river islands and channeled bays below the falls harbor a tremendous variety of wildlife as well, including otters, beavers, osprey, eagles, and great blue herons.

The Night Sky & Northern Lights

Thanks to its northern location, Cook County, home to Grand Marais, is one of the best places in the contiguous United States to see the northern lights. Although the lights can appear in the county year-round, the best times to spot them are generally in the late fall and winter. The county has prepared an extensive map for travelers hoping to try their luck at seeing the lights, with a few of the locations including the Gunflint Hills Golf Course, Mink Lake Public Access, and Northern Light Lake, all accessible within a half-hour drive.

If you visit Cook County in December, you also might be able to catch the Dark Sky Festival. This three-day event, held between December 11th and 13th, celebrates the county’s exceptional dark skies and Northern Lights. A few of the activities that attendees can enjoy include night sky walks, telescope viewings, night sky photography experiences, documentary screenings, presentations, and plenty of other family-friendly activities.

The Oldest Art Colony in Minnesota

Dating all the way back to 1947, the Grand Marais Art Colony is the oldest in Minnesota. Over the years, the colony has hosted a variety of residency programs and art studios, helping to shape the careers of countless artists. Today, the colony continues operating year-round, hosting multi-week printmaking and ceramics workshops, youth art clubs, and seasonal artists-in-residence programs. If you are hoping to visit the art colony but don’t want to sign up for a course, you can still swing by Studio 21, the colony’s gallery and exhibition space, which is open between Memorial Day Weekend and MEA Weekend each year. Upcoming exhibitions in the gallery include works by Cecilia Rolando and Hazel Belvo.

July, specifically, is a wonderful time to appreciate Grand Marais’ art scene, when the art colony hosts its annual Grand Marais Arts Festival. The juried event features artists working in all media and brings in roughly 9,500 attendees each year.

Final Thoughts

If you have been wanting to plan a northern getaway to Canada or Alaska, consider staying closer to home and exploring Grand Marais instead. Between its remote location, dark skies, and waterfalls, this Midwest destination offers more than you might expect. As an added bonus, its art scene is one of the best that you will find in Minnesota! So let yourself wander off the beaten path and get ready to have an incredible trip in Grand Marais this year.