I like to stay in a bunkhouse or cheap motel the night before and the night coming out. Also like a breakfast going in and supper coming out. What do we have down on 61 that is economical ?

My wife and I stayed at "The Cliff Dweller" in Tofte last year for a 3 night stay and really liked it. Economical ($100) a night, nothing fancy, small ma/pa type joint, deck hanging over the edge of Lake Superior, and breakfast included.

We stayed at the Americinn in Tofte the night before a Hog Creek entry once also. I will stay at The Cliff Dweller in the future if needing a room in Tofte unless the kids are along and want a pool.

Chateaux Leveaux near Tofte.

No matter where you stay when you come out (in Tofte area), I suggest the Trestle Inn for your supper.

Be aware that most restaurants on the north shore don’t open for breakfast until around 8am.

Sawtooth Outfitters supplies a big list of places to stay on their website.

I usually just stay at Nelson's in Grand Marais. I usually just eat breakfast in the motel room to get a quicker start, but I think some of the restaurants there may open a little earlier. I have also stayed at Superior Ridge in Schroeder several years ago. It was nice then and the rooms were large.

I second Cliff Dweller. It's no-frills, but you don't need a lot of frills, from the tone of your query. We've stayed there twice and had a pleasant stay both times.

We've also rented a cabin at Sugar Beach resorts before. They usually don't rent for less than a week at a time, but if you can catch them where they have a couple days in between week-long rental bookings, they'll let you book for a day or two. I loved it there, and would stay there every time if it was a regular option. Way more room to pack your gear the night before, and a kitchen so you can cook your own dinner and/or breakfast. Most places in Tofte close early and open late, so getting grub on your own time can be hit or miss.

Lutsen Lodge looks awesome. We caught dinner there last time out because we arrived in Tofte later than planned, decided to drive up to Grand Marais for dinner and couldn't find anything open there... so we hit the Lutsen on the way back to Tofte and were delighted to find that not only were they open late, but they had really good food, and the place is just darned cool. I want to stay there once before I die.

quote cowdoc: "No matter where you stay when you come out (in Tofte area), I suggest the Trestle Inn for your supper."

An emphatic +1

quote cowdoc: "No matter where you stay when you come out (in Tofte area), I suggest the Trestle Inn for your supper."

+1

I got a room for the night before and the day we come out at Americinn Tofte....... prices make camping look sweet, but a comfy room after a long drive up and a 9 day trip tipped the scales in favor of the great indoors.

Where is this famed Trestle Inn at ?

Just south of the Cross River in Schroeder....take Cramer road..drive west awhile
Trestle Inn