This was an out of the way place. But this was definitely. Worth the drive to see. The view of the…read morelake was awesome. The owner of this place went out of their way to accommodate us. Could not have asked for a nicer host. If I lived closer I would definitely be coming back to this resort. Thanks again

We love to tent up in the north shore during fall colors season. We aren't great at planning ahead…read moreso we scramble to find a campground.t he state parks are always booked months in advance, so it's the small private campgrounds in the area we enjoy. This one is sitting right on the lax lake. Every campsite will have some sort of view of the lake with some trees but it is not heavily wooded. You can see your neighbor but you're not packed in their like some campsites without any trees. Each campsite had plenty of space with a picnic table and a fire pit. I was a little disappointed in the one car rule because there was so much space to fit two cars and two tents at one campsite. It seems more of a family oriented campground that would be great for kids. We don't have any, so the kids got a little annoying for us. Especially when they are playing and yelling outside at seven in the morning. The bathrooms and quarter operated showers are well kept, clean and aren't far from any of the tent sites. The office is adorable and has a decent selection of snacks and camping things, like fire firewood, if you forget anything. You can also rent kayaks and pontoons for the lake. I felt that the tent sites were a little on the higher side for a campground but understandably so being on a lake with full bathroom, showers and laundry.

We booked Klarhet in April for leaf peeping for my birthday weekend and it was absolutely perfect!…read more I can't say enough about how amazing this place is. Just know you will get woken up before dawn by roosters, but you can handle it! All worth it!

The best of both worlds…read more The best of camping. The best of a hotel. There is a neat place in northern Minnesota just a rock's throw from Lutsen that you've never heard of, but that you will never forget once you've visited. They have these super cool Dome Shaped cabins (I don't know what else to call them) in the middle of the forest. Once you are inside it, think part OmniMax theater screen on one side that you look out into the forest and get to overlook beautiful Lake Superior. It is a view you will never forget, and an experience that is hard to describe to others. It's a fully functional unit or small apartment: King size bed, full bathroom with shower, kitchen with everything but an oven (but had a stove top) including all dishes and utensils, heated floors, neat eco-friendly wood pellet heater/stove/furnace, a queen size bed in the loft, and a view to die for. The King Size bed was oh so comfortable (better than home) and the unit was super clean. The staff, Nicole and Emma, were super friendly, accommodating and so easy to work with. It almost felt like you were working with your best friends. This is a family business and located in their eco-friendly sustainable plot of land. They have chickens, goats and a large garden or small farm, where they grow things in a eco-friendly, sustainable fashion. They encourage guests to compost their leftovers, but to be mindful not to throw certain items in the compost (like Avocado skins and pits) as their chickens, who eventually eat the compost, don't particularly like Avocoados :-). There are four domes total at Klarhet, all available to book. Each has a King-Sized Bed on the main level, with a Queen-Sized Bed on the loft. Each dome has a different theme. We had friends in another Dome at the same time, so this made it double the fun. Klarhet mans "Clear Mind" in Scandinavian. And you can definitely do it here at Klarhet. It's a fantastic place, but don't go expecting 5-Star Hotel amenities (no TV, no pool, no ice maker, no vending machine, no land line phone, no Wi-Fi but you will get cell phone reception and data from your own cell phone provider). This is a place to unwind, and disconnect. (Think luxurious cabin with an amazing view!) They also have chickens and goats on the property that are part of the ambience of the place (they all have names too). You will be give fresh eggs from these chickens to eat too. Nicole gives a farm talk to any interested about how they are creating a sustainable food forest on their 26 acres. (Take it - Nicole is a great speaker and very passionate about what they are trying to create here.) You can bring food and prepare it yourself in the kitchen, or you can go out to eat at nearby restaurants. You can go hiking, biking or skiing nearby, depending on the season you attend. Now, if I can only figure out how that bear got in my bed next to me last night, because she snored awfully loud all night long :-).

We highly recommend a stay at Surfside! We've stayed in both A and B units and recommend both…read moretypes. The views of Lake Superior are exactly what you come to the North Shore for, and with their expansive waterfront you are able to really take in the views & experience staying on the lake - no matter which building or unit you're in. The common spaces offer a large pool (deepest end is 4'), a large hot tub, sauna, gym, laundry, and sometimes group fitness that varied on the weekly schedule (COVID safe). When you check-in be sure to visit with guest services regarding the events they have scheduled for the week & what you can take in for free. They'll also be able to assist with bike rentals, etc. Be sure to let them know what you're interested in because they're more than willing to help. Also, don't skip the free s'mores packs for the nightly campfires! Guest services hours are very accommodating. The A unit we stayed in on our recent trip was impeccably clean, and even though it was a "pet friendly" unit you wouldn't be the wiser. The cleaning staff does a great job. The linens were all good quality - including great quality towels! The views are outstanding from both the first and second floors, and the unit furnishings allow for comfortable lounging to take it all in. We did some cooking while at Surfside and the kitchen was fully outfitted with all standard cooking utensils, pots, pans, dish ware, and drink ware. They provide dish soap, kitchen towels, and dishwasher tabs so cleanup is a breeze. The beds were super comfortable, too! The whole unit is quite spacious and would be comfortable with 6 adults, and if you combined it with a B unit you could be comfortable with 8 adults. The living spaces are outfit with great, comfortable furniture, but in the colder months I recommend bringing a throw blanket or two so it can be even more cozy! We really love Surfside and their attention to the guest experience. It's a quaint, peaceful resort stay that offers some nice perks: nightly bonfires that were never crowded, a playground for kiddos, an ice skating rink in the winter months, and so much more. We'll certainly be back!

The accommodation is great. Wonderful townhouses Lot of decks. Comfortable beds. Good showers…read more Very deluxe accommodations. They do have activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking which are included. Not a ton of dining options and not a lot of groceries in the area so you may want to bring your groceries with you, but all your pans, plates, and utensils are included. The view can't be beat. No beach nor real access to the water but if you are in the area I would not hesitate to stay here. We had six very comfortable in a three bedroom. Great space to hang out in. Grille and firepits also available.

Relaxing. Great views. I would stay again. Bring your own pillows. There were not many bugs,…read morebeing June.

We really enjoyed our stay at Bluefin Bay! Waking up to the sunrise over the water was such a…read morehighlight, and the beach was beautiful. The nightly s'mores were a fun touch, and the pool and hot tub were relaxing, with a pretty walkway leading to them. Our room was comfortable, with cozy beds and extra bedding, which we appreciated. We loved that the main lodge had hot coffee and ice water available - as well as games and loves to check out! That said, the exterior is starting to show some age, with weeds throughout the grounds and overgrown bushes making the sidewalks feel crowded. A window on our room was broken and the indoor pool was out of commission. While the activities are a great perk, one was full before I could attend, and the yoga class I signed up for didn't have an instructor show up. Overall though, it was a relaxing and enjoyable stay and I'd happily come back again!

This is my favorite place to stay in the north woods…read more I have been going to Timber Trail for almost 30 years. I remember great experiences with my grandparents and my mom, now I go there with my kids. They family who owns it is always on the property and very nice. The cabins we have stayed in are always very clean and well outfitted. Kitchen, stove, heaters, bathrooms all work great and without any smells. I only mention this because I have been other places and you smell the bathroom and the gas all of the time. Fishing at TT is the best. This year i got a 9 pound Northern right off the dock. They have gear and bait as well as light food on site. There is a game room, book library and pool hall at the lodge. I go for runs down the road and always see wildlife. Great gateway to the BWCA!

Amazing winter holiday day at Timber Trail Lodge. My son…read moreparticipated in an individual holiday stay program at Northern Tier scouting camp, and we decided to leverage a family vacation off of his visit to the boundary waters area. (It's a short drive to Northern Tier from Timber Trail if you are planning a scout trip!) We were not disappointed. Timber Trail met and exceeded our expectations - especially in the winter. George is a tremendous and thoughtful host, and he took great care and concern to ensure we had a great stay. I brought my 82-year-old dad along, and he enjoy sitting on the screen porch, reading books, and watching the snow fall. The cabin was immaculate and well-appointed, and we had everything we needed for our wintry, 7-night stay. We enjoyed the snow, the frozen lake, borrowing board games from the main lodge, and more sledding than my southern kids (ages 13 and 10) could squeeze into the short winter daylight hours. Feeding chickadees from our hands, playing in the snow, and warming up in the cozy cabin made for great family memories. We are looking forward to enjoying Timber Trail Lodge in the the summer months as well on a return trip to Ely.

We have stayed at Deer Ridge Resort a number of times, and most recently stayed for a whole month…read morein July. Owner Chad Davis is a great guy. The cabins themselves are very nice, and they operate year round, which is a great option. Each cabin is owned by individuals, but the resort maintains them and rents them out, and individual owners can designate when they want to stay. Since they are owned by individuals, some of the items in the cabins can vary. For example, kitchen dishes and utensils: some have everything you need, others have more basic. The beds are comfortable. And they have Roku TV and WiFi available. There are a lot of extras like a playground for kids, kayaks, canoes, and other equipment you can use if you are staying, or pontoons available to rent. There is not always office staff available in office, but usually you can get ahold of them, if there is a problem. The lake view from the cabins is beautiful any time of year. Definitely would consider staying again.

We loved this resort! We rented out the 2 level club house. It had a full size kitchen. It also had…read morea private bathroom in it. The location was perfect. Right on the lake. They offer free Non-motorized boat rentals. Such as kayaks, Stand panels, canoes, paddleboats. They also have their own little store where you can buy firewood and the concession stand we can get small snacks. The location is perfect it's only a few minutes to town. You could pretty much bike there if you bring your bike. Or walk there will probably take you about a half an hour to an hour. It's also right across the street from a really cool waterfall which is only a 3 1/2 mile hike to the falls. I definitely recommend this place and me and my boyfriend will definitely be going back.

If you're looking for a great outfitter, LaTourell's is Awesome. Great customer service, friendly…read morefolks, reasonable prices.

We used Latourell's twice (2018 and 2019). Both times they were awesome. Their package for…read moreovernight motor camping is the best. You won't be disappointed. We plan to return next year 2024.

Hey, after a week on a northern lake, how hard could it be to earn a 5-star review?…read more Well, unless you've checked out a lot of northern Minnesota resorts, you might not see the difference. Most of them are woefully outdated -- with few plans for improvement -- or astoundingly expensive. My wife did the research for this place, so I wasn't sure what to expect when she put in on my calendar and said, "We're going." (She's an Iron Ranger and likes her lake life). We reserved a "duplex" cabin up on the ridge above the lake, shared with retired owners. Talk about nice -- it was well-appointed (the owners are artists), clean, tidy, and comfortable. I enjoyed it so much that I heartily endorsed a return visit this summer. The main lodge has a few video games, but is a great place to chill and read. The owners are relaxed but hard-working and attentive. The beach is a bit tiny (good for little ones), and overall the resort was quiet enough that I never was irritated with neighbors. A highlight of our visit was a pontoon rental that we navigated through the lakes to the edge of the Boundary Waters (actually, about 50 yards into the BWCA before I realized that I shouldn't be there and promptly turned around). Lovely, medium-sized lakes with a lot of great scenery (at least for flat northern Minnesota). We're coming back with our 9-year old grandson to rent an older cabin right on the water where he can step outside to fish at 6 in the morning without worrying about him. Oh, and bring your bicycles so you can ride the Mesabi Trail out to Tower. Surprisingly hilly in places, but a beautiful trail. We positioned two cars to avoid a round-trip.

This was our third stay with Sandy and Kerry Davis at WIBR! Their cabins are nice, and if you…read moreneed anything, all have to do is ask. The power actually went out one night while we were there, and they had a back up generator so that the well would stay running to supply us with water! We were able to cook on the grill and had flashlights, so we fared just fine. They have pontoon rentals (extra charge) , canoes and paddle boats that are included in the rental. They have a swimming beach on the lake. We have always enjoyed our stays here. Will likely go again in the future.

Cute lodging right on Lake Superior! You get your own balcony that overlooks the water and it's…read morereally quite breathtaking. Nothing to obstruct your view! The heat definitely works in the winter in this little room so don't even worry about getting cold! Very simple little hotel room, nothing fancy, no extra amenities but it's clean! The only thing that got bothersome was that it's right on the road and you can hear the loud whoosh of a semi driving by as there's no hallways or trees to block the noise.

Small, cozy place (22 rooms) right on Lake Superior, all rooms have a view of the lake. Simple…read moremotel, but clean and comfortable, exactly as it advertises. The natural wooden paneling gives a feel of home away from home. While some may find it expensive, it was much more reasonably priced than other options on the North Shore in high season (September weekend). The breakfast formerly provided is now an unfortunate casualty of C19 but a few grab and go items are still available in the sunroom.