A Home Away From Home

Lodge & Canoe Outfitters

Gunflint Trail
Grand Manais, MN
Wilderness Retreat
About Us

A Rustic Quiet Getaway from Every Day in the North.

Nor’wester Lodge & Canoe Outfitters has been one of the most unforgettable Northern Minnesota vacation spots for over 80 years.

Located on the historic Gunflint Trail right on the shore of Poplar Lake, Nor’Wester Lodge & Canoe Outfitters is surrounded by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), the Superior National Forest and has been hosted by the Brandt family since 1931.

Reserve your quiet lake shore cabin on the edge of the BWCA.

Have fun fishing, boating, hiking, and fishing… and more fishing.
(Did we mention fishing?)

In the fall it’s a great place to drive “Up North” to view the Fall colors!

Call now to schedule your stay! 

Dogs are welcome too!

 

To make a reservation call Nor’Wester Lodge today
 1-800-992-4386

Brandt family business since 1931.
Discover

Stay Your Way

We offer camping in our bunkhouses, your RV’s, or tent spots. We have 6 multiple person cottages available. If you would like to upgrade your stay our beautiful townhouses are the option for you.

View Our History

Camp Sites

Cottages

Townhouses

Our Sweet Escape Cottages

Our cottages are a great way for a family to get away, but still maintain their own space. We offer 6 great cottage options. 

  • Towering Pines
  • Spruce Haven
  • Balsam Grove
  • Ash
  • Aspen Wood
  • Birch View

No matter your goals, we have a cabin for you.

Prices Starting at Per Night

$99

More Cottage Options

Our Larger Luxury Townhouses

Our townhouses are an ideal lodging solution for families and larger groups trying to get away from the hustle and bustle. We made these townhomes right close to the beach and are great for a fishing weekend with the kids or even just sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee watching the otters play and the eagles come in.

We have 4 great townhouse options each with their own special characteristics and charm.

  • Cedar 1
  • Cedar 2
  • Cedar 3
  • Cedar 4
More Townhouse Options
Opportunity

Pontoon Rental Available

Boating

We bought the nice boat for you to be able to enjoy Poplar Lake in style. You’ll enjoy a day relaxing on the deck of the pontoon. It’s a great way to see the area.

Fishing

Bring your gear, you are going to love having some success with that new lure that you should really try here on Poplar Lake. The remote location is ideal for relaxing and quiet fishing destination.

Hiking

The forests are just as peaceful as the lake is here. Our large variety of trails and so many different skill levels. You can find a trail for a toddler or an adventurist.

My husband and I come here in October for the last 2 years and we love it! Scenic, quiet. The cabins are great. Last year we checked in late and our cabin was not clean. The owners provide us a townhouse for our stay for the price of our cabin. This customer service was unexpected and over/beyond what we expected!!!!! We will continue to come here annually.
TERRI GREEN<br /> 8/12/2018

Information

Amenities

Fiber Optic WiFi
Our super fast WiFi service is available. It’s only within range from the Lodge.
Free Parking
All of our cottages and townhouses come with parking and guest parking is available.
Bedroom Comforts
We offer quality mattresses and extra linen is available with every rental.
Coffee Maker
Each cottage and townhouses comes with fully equipped kitchen including coffee maker.
Long Main Dock
You can dock your boat or you can rent one of ours. We also have a new pontoon boat available for rent.
Swimming
We have the only sandy beach on Poplar Lake. There is also swim raft short distance from main dock.
Checkin & Checkout

Check-in: 3:00 p.m. (call if later than 8:00 p.m.)
Check-out: 10:00 a.m.

Cancellation Policy

* 60 – day notice required for refund on all cancellations with a $50 service cancellation fee.  ( unless rescheduled within one year)

For cancellations within 30 days of arrival, we offer a refund only if we are able to fill the entire cancellation.

No other refunds possible.

Due to our small size and remoteness, cancellations significantly affect us.

To avoid any misunderstanding, you will be charged for the days you reserve.

Please check your dates carefully.

Have a Question?

Talk to the Luana

Get In Touch
Information

A Legendary Location!

Take the Scenic Highway 61 North Shore Drive of Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Marais, then head up the Gunflint Trail into the heart of the Superior National Forest.

We are only 30 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, Minnesota, and only 2.5 miles from the Canada border.

Year round Lodging

This Northeastern Minnesota resort offers lakeside cabin and villa accommodations, and a campground.

The location is perfect for family vacations and quiet resort getaways.

The area is known for excellent fishing for walleye, lake trout, northern pike and smallmouth bass.

In winter, reliable snow depth from December through March creates a premier destination for snowmobiles, with miles of groomed snowmobile trails.

We have recreation for all seasons! 

If you like hiking, the Nor’Wester Lodge area on the Gunflint Trial offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails. 

Just bring your hiking boots and your camera and explore!

Local Restaurants

Trail Center Lodge

“Stopped here twice–once for dinner and another time just for an afternoon drink. I liked being at the bar in the late afternoon before the dinner rush, having a cold Moose Drool and chatting with the friendliest bartender.”

Poplar HausPoplar Haus

“A hidden gem along the Gunflint Trail, the newly renovated Poplar Haus is worth the drive just for lunch.”

The Crooked Spoon Cafe

“We had a delicious lunch and I had a BLT that blew me away. I can’t believe how scrumptious the maple bacon tasted and the tomato was ripe sweet and juicy.”

Gun Flint Tavern

Great tavern on the Superior North shore, lots of locals to keep you company. Tries the Asian Bowl and the Ruben Sandwich, both good. Great view of the lake, and good locally brewed beer!

Local Events

Canoe Races

43rd Annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races July 17th 2019

Biggest Blueberry Contest

Blueberries will be measured by weight, and must be picked fresh and not store bought. Berry pickers will be able to submit their biggest blueberry at Nor’Wester Lodge!

Gunflint Mail Run

The Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race is a continuous race consisting of two legs of equal distance, separated by a mandatory layover.

John Beargrease Race

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states.

Local Museum

Chik-Wauk Museum

Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center on the Gunflint Trail

Local Attractions

Visit Cook County

here’s so much to see and do in Cook County, you’ll want to make the most of every minute.

Grand Marais Art Colony

Gunflint Trail Association

North House Folk School

Canoeing, Boating, and Snowmobiling

Alumacraft Boats and Canoes

Fishing and sport boats, and canoes.

NorthStar Canoes

Whether paddling alone on a river or packing heavy for an extended group expedition, you’re off to a great start in a Northstar.

Souris River Canoes

Have your cake and eat it too…light and tough in one canoe!

Wenonah Canoes

For people who know and love canoes.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Snowmobiling site

Includes information about regulations, permits, safety, and trails.

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

Snowmobile Trails, Races, and Events

Regulations, Licensing, and Permits

Superior National Forest Website

For more information on the BWCAW

Recreation.GOV

For permit information and BWCAW rules and regulations.

Leave No Trace

Join The Movement. See What’s Happening With Leave No Trace In Every Park.

Department of Natural Resources

Regulations, permits, and license information for hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, skiing, and more.

Local Wildlife and Wildflowers

www.mooseworld.com

This site is about moose-seeing moose in the wild, collecting moose products, learning about moose habitat, diet, behavior and ecology and seeing how the “metaphor” of moose can make lives better and happier.

www.bearbiology.com

The International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the conservation of all species of bears.

www.bear.org

This site focuses on improving the understanding and appreciation of North American bears www.bear.org

www.americanbear.org

Promoting the welfare of the black bear through better understanding.

www.wolf.org

Teaching the World about Wolves.

www.bearcountryusa.com

Information and photographs of a variety of animals, including lynx, wolves, and bears.

Flora of the Superior National Forest and the BWCA