We're entering Ram Lake in Mid-May and are looking for lodging the night before we put in. All of the bunkhouses I could find are farther north on gunflint than we would like. It looks like Grand Marais would be our bet bet and allow us to have a good meal in town the night before.

Are there any bunkhouses or affordable lodging in Grand Marais where we can stay for one night?

I have never stayed in town but Rockwood is closer to your put in than GM and you could eat at trail center.

Might be worth a look.

Good luck!

The Hungry Hippie Farm and Hostel!

I agree with Hammertime about Rockwood. Trail Center has great food, so does Poplarhaus. You will have a shorter drive to Ram in the morning.

If you are wanting the Grand Marais scene I would pick Nelson's Travelers Rest. I see their prices have gone up a bit, but still likely the cheapest lodging in GM. They have 2 motel style rooms and a variety of cabin sizes depending on your group size. Simple, clean, friendly and you can walk to town. I stay there the day I exit my solo trips. I am never good for driving hard my first day out.

You are entering at Ram. Are you planning to return to Ram, or exit somewhere else? Ram to Bower Trout is almost a loop with an easy walk back to your vehicle if you don't have two vehicles for a shuttle.

The Outpost Motel is still a viable one-night option. It sucks that so many places around the SNF are requiring multiple night stays now. Solbakken Resort in Lutsen has motel rooms that can also be one-nighters.

sedges: "I agree with Hammertime about Rockwood. Trail Center has great food, so does Poplarhaus. You will have a shorter drive to Ram in the morning.


If you are wanting the Grand Marais scene I would pick Nelson's Travelers Rest. I see their prices have gone up a bit, but still likely the cheapest lodging in GM. They have 2 motel style rooms and a variety of cabin sizes depending on your group size. Simple, clean, friendly and you can walk to town. I stay there the day I exit my solo trips. I am never good for driving hard my first day out.


You are entering at Ram. Are you planning to return to Ram, or exit somewhere else? Ram to Bower Trout is almost a loop with an easy walk back to your vehicle if you don't have two vehicles for a shuttle."

Thanks for the recommendations. We've stayed at Rockwood in the past and it's great but we don't want to drive up the trail past Ram if we don't have to. I'll check out Nelson's. We are exiting at Bower Trout and will make the walk. We've never been in that area so we're excited to check it out.

UPDATE: Just called Nelson's and they don't open until May 17th. We need lodging the night of May 14th. Looking into Hungry Hippie, Outpost and Aspen Lodge.

you might try poplar creek guest house.

Outpost is a bit of a cruise up the shore from GM. Unsure what your definition of affordable is, but you could try the Mangy Moose in GM in addition to Aspen. And, imo, the Gunflint Tavern is hands down the best place to eat in town.

Have stayed at the Mangy Moose in GM for one night stays several times. Have one set for this summer too. They add a slight charge for only one night but well worth it IMO. Might not even be an issue for mid-May.

Frenchy19: "Outpost is a bit of a cruise up the shore from GM. "

I recall it being a 10 minute drive from town.

mschi772: "

Frenchy19: "Outpost is a bit of a cruise up the shore from GM. "

I recall it being a 10 minute drive from town."

You could be right; I have not stayed there for a good 10 years. I do like the location as you can cross hwy 61 and wander the shoreline.

Have you checked with Aspen Inn? I have had great experiences with them in the past. Unfortunately I don't think they take pets now and I always travel with my dog.

dschult2: "Have you checked with Aspen Inn? I have had great experiences with them in the past. Unfortunately I don't think they take pets now and I always travel with my dog. "

Agree; they also have a pool and hot tub, and I like that after a trip!

dschult2: "Have you checked with Aspen Inn? I have had great experiences with them in the past. Unfortunately I don't think they take pets now and I always travel with my dog. "

Seems like the Aspen Lodge will be the best solution. I checked the Mangey Moose, but they don't have any rooms that can fit 4 adults. The Aspen isn't bunkhouse cheap, but it will have to do.

BigCurrent: "

dschult2: "Have you checked with Aspen Inn? I have had great experiences with them in the past. Unfortunately I don't think they take pets now and I always travel with my dog. "

Seems like the Aspen Lodge will be the best solution. I checked the Mangey Moose, but they don't have any rooms that can fit 4 adults. The Aspen isn't bunkhouse cheap, but it will have to do. "

Nothing in town is bunkhouse cheap; you want that, stay at a bunkhouse. Spend the night at Rockwood as other have suggested. Really will not slow you down at all come morning of your departure.

BigCurrent: "

dschult2: "Have you checked with Aspen Inn? I have had great experiences with them in the past. Unfortunately I don't think they take pets now and I always travel with my dog. "

Seems like the Aspen Lodge will be the best solution. I checked the Mangey Moose, but they don't have any rooms that can fit 4 adults. The Aspen isn't bunkhouse cheap, but it will have to do. "

Just to be clear there is an Aspen Inn as well as an Aspen Lodge.

There are 4 cabins at the USFS East Bearskin Lake Campground that are reservable. They are equivalent to a bunkhouse, with arguably more privacy, priced between what you would pay for a bunkhouse and a motel for the night.

Z4K: "There are 4 cabins at the USFS East Bearskin Lake Campground that are reservable. They are equivalent to a bunkhouse, with arguably more privacy, priced between what you would pay for a bunkhouse and a motel for the night.
"

Thank you. Will check this out.

billconner: "The Hungry Hippie Farm and Hostel!"

I just stayed here last week. It was great!

Rockwood is great. I have stayed there many times.