Beat The Heat and Retreat to The Gunflint Trail This Summer
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As we approach the official beginning of Summer, June 20th (the Summer Solstice), the often-cited Farmer’s Almanac tells us that this summer will be hotter and muggier than usual for most of the country.
The Arrowhead region of Minnesota and our beloved Gunflint Trail are not just areas of “refuge” from the worst of climate change. They have always been a refuge for people looking to escape the heat and humidity of summer they live with at home.
It still is.
Escape the sticky, oppressive heat at home with a calm and refreshing retreat to Northeast Minnesota.
The average daily high temperature in July in the Twin Cities is over 82 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Lake Superior harbor town of Grand Marais, the origin point of our Gunflint Trail, the cooling effect of the big lake means the average daily high is 71. On the Trail, we are only a few degrees warmer.
During the overnight hours, temperatures here routinely drop into the 50s and often into the 40s, making sleeping almost a blissful experience.
A Gunflint Trail experience offers a plethora of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife spotting, making your retreat from the heat an unforgettable adventure.
Waterfalls provide a visual and aural delight, and the cooling mists around them will make you forget the muggy weather back home. See our recent guide to waterfalls here in the Superior National Forest. Dipping into the water at the base of the falls is a bracing way to beat the heat.
Ask us to help you find secluded but accessible beaches in and near the Boundary Waters. Visit Cook County is another excellent resource to put you on track to finding pristine shorelines and hidden beaches that offer tranquility and breathtaking views.
A lakeside setting with a breeze to keep the Black Flies and Mosquitoes at bay is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch or even a night of camping. Either way, a refreshing dip in the lake is guaranteed to beat the heat.
Getting out on the water is another good way to beat the heat. Send us an email to arrange a canoe or kayak paddling adventure, or check our rental rates online. We can help you explore hidden coves, discover secluded stretches of sand, and find the best spots to catch fish.
Whether you’re looking for a three-night stay on the Gunflint Trail or a two-week stay, we can help you find the right lakeside cabin for a retreat from the heat. At Rockwood, you’ll experience how rustic charm meets all the modern comforts in our authentic, cozy cabins. You’ll have everything you need, from a coffee maker to internet access. Our attentive staff is always on-site to meet any need that arises.
Nestled amidst the natural beauty along the BWCAW, our lakeside cabins offer spectacular views of Poplar Lake, a canoe to get you on the water, a picnic table, and a barbecue grill. The Gunflint Trail is renowned for its pristine forests, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife. Picture yourself sitting under the stars after dinner, enjoying the mild temperatures, roasting marshmallows, and sharing the stories that bring you closer together.
The comprehensive outfitting program here at Rockwood can fully equip you to spend some time in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Comfortable temperatures and the quiet peacefulness of the wilderness will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.
According to Explore Minnesota, our state’s tourism agency:
“Cook County is home to some of the darkest skies in the world. Every year, explorers, adventurers, artists and photographers from around the world travel to Cook County to experience the northern lights, the Milky Way, and the wonders of the northern night sky. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) has been named as one of only 15 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world! And at over a million acres, it is the largest.”
From the awe-inspiring dark skies, shooting stars, and Northern Lights, spending time on the Gunflint Trail outside at night is a truly unforgettable experience.
Follow Rockwood on Facebook to stay current on the lodging situation, the weather, and upcoming special events. Sometimes, reservations are canceled at our property and at our neighbors on the Trail. When that happens, we alert our followers that lodging has become available.
If you have an electric vehicle, you can leave your worries behind. Rockwood has an EV charging station right on site for the use of our guests.
So plan your ultimate summer “escape the heat” trip to the Gunflint Trail. Experience the cool embrace of hidden waterfalls, cool evenings, and charming lakeside cabins.
Discover a world of outdoor adventures for a summer you’ll never forget.
