Hotel at a Glance: Caribou Highlands Lodge on Lutsen Mountain

Travel just 1 mile off the coast of Lake Superior’s northern shore, and you’ll find yourself in Minnesota’s Sawtooth Mountains. Connect to the Superior National Hiking Trail or seek adventure on the Alpine Slide, both are within walking distance from the resort. Or, take a short drive to one of several MN State Parks or schedule a tee time at the renowned Superior National Golf Course located just across the Poplar River. In the evening, guests gather around the bonfire to share stories, enjoy complimentary s’mores, and plan for their next day’s activities.

• Onsite dining: Sip cocktails around the outdoor fire pit at Moguls Grille and Tap Room, or dine inside on house favorites such as cedar planked salmon or cherry-smoked prime rib.
• Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, the indoor pool, or two whirlpools. (Pool availability may be limited prior to 6/15/15)
• Stay active on tennis, hiking, biking, volleyball, tetherball, basketball courts or complimentary guided canoeing on the Poplar River (no experience needed).
• Massage therapists within Mountain Massage at Caribou Highlands pamper guests using deep-tissue, hot-stone, and other modalities.
• Complimentary Mountain Kids Camp for ages 4-10. Hours vary, and signup is required.

Lutsen, Minnesota: Lake Superior Resort Town with Renowned Hiking and Downhill Skiing

The resort town of Lutsen, Minnesota, sits in backcountry wilderness framed by the shores of Lake Superior and the Superior National Forest. A year-round recreation destination, the area attracts families with skiing, golfing, fishing, and some of the Midwest’s best hiking—more than a hundred miles of trails wind through maple forests, cedar wetlands, and small ponds. You might spot a deer or a wolf sign along the way. There’s also a vast network of downhill skiing routes at Lutsen Mountains ski area carved into more than 1,000 acres of skiable terrain with options ranging from wide-open cruisers to the expert-only The Plunge.

The small harbor town of Grand Marais is just 18 miles from the drive up the Gunflint Trail, a 57-mile scenic roadway that runs past boreal forests and glacial lakes. At the northern reach of the Gunflint Trail lies the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a 1-million-acre wilderness reserve with more than 1,200 miles of canoeing trails and off-the-beaten-path campgrounds. National Geographic Traveler named it 1 of 50 Places of a Lifetime in its Paradise Found category.

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