I've been looking into various bunkhouses in the Gunflint area for making quick 1-2 day trips up from the twin cities. If a single person books a reservation for a bunkhouse and ends up sleeping all alone next to 3 empty bunk beds -- is this considered bad form or frowned upon? Will certain places cancel a solo reservation to make room for a party of 4 that will end up paying 4x as much?

I've never had that happen.

I've never heard of that happening. I think an outfitter's reputation would be badly damaged by a practice like that!

Some outfitters like Way of the Wilderness have a 3 person minimum. It just means you will have to pay for three even if you are solo. I have done that, just for the convenience of walking to water and paddling off very early to beat the winds on Saganaga. Their bunkhouses have private showers and are definitely worth the extra.

Others, amazingly, only charge for one.

I am always trying to enter during slow times, so displacing larger groups of customers has never come up. I do offer to be displaced by a more lucrative customer if I can pitch my tent, or sleep in one of the outfitting sheds. That has never happened.

I use Rockwood. They have a 2 person minimum charge but you can have one person in the room. You will have 7 empty bunks to sort your gear on. You will also have a bathroom and hot shower in your room all to yourself. I'll echo what others have said in other posts, the service is spectacular. There are 3 EP's right there on Poplar Lake to choose from. Get up, get dressed, put your canoe in the water, and paddle away from their shore.

Thanks everyone.

It seems like a great option for someone in my situation. I could see hopping back and forth between a few and making a 3-day trip. Cheaper than most campground fees, no set up time, etc.

Last summer my wife and I stayed in a bunkhouse at Clearwater Lodge. We picked #1, based on the self-contained bathroom and shower. When I asked about giving up the large quarters to a party of 2, I was told that the bunkhouses were rented out without regard to group size: "If a solo traveler reserves the spot first, it's theirs... enough larger groups come along during the season to even out the year's income..."

I normally do trips with only two of us. We're all the time surrounded by empty bunks, so the difference isn't much from that of a solo tripper. I've never been approached about giving up the larger rooms. Cannot imagine I ever would be.

Great info, thanks.