Our Story
What began as a single lakeside cabin built by hand has grown into one of the Great Lakes region's most beloved wilderness retreats. Up North Lodge & Resort was founded by the Erikson family with one belief: that true rest only comes when you are completely surrounded by nature's finest work.
Today, we steward over 80 acres of pristine boreal forest along the southern shore of Lake Superior — land we treat not as property, but as a privilege. Our accommodations range from intimate woodland cabins to expansive lakefront log homes, each designed to bring you as close to the natural world as possible without sacrificing a single comfort.
We are family-owned, locally rooted, and deeply committed to the place and people that make Up North extraordinary.
Every decision we make — from the wood we use to restore a cabin, to the local suppliers who stock our pantry — flows from these principles.
We operate with a deep commitment to the health of the boreal ecosystem that surrounds us. Solar panels, composting programs, and a low-impact construction philosophy guide everything we build.
We believe the best hosts are present without being intrusive. Our staff knows the trails, the tides, and the names of your kids — because knowing you is how we serve you best.
No manufactured "resort activities." The wilderness here is wild, the fishing is real, and the silence at dawn is the most powerful amenity we offer. We simply open the door.
Up North Lodge & Resort is located just outside Grand Marais, Minnesota — a small harbor town that has charmed artists, adventurers, and families for generations. We sit at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most protected and pristine wild places in North America.
From Minneapolis, the drive is a scenic five hours north along Highway 61, following the dramatic Lake Superior shoreline through Duluth and Two Harbors. Flying? Duluth International Airport is your closest hub, just under two hours from our front door.
We recommend arriving with at least four days — though most guests tell us they wish they'd booked for a week.
Up North is a destination without an off-season. Each time of year reveals a completely different — and equally breathtaking — face of the North Shore.
Wildflowers carpet the forest floor, migrating birds fill the canopy, and the thawing lake comes alive with spectacular waterfalls fed by snowmelt.
Long golden days on the water, warm evening bonfires, kayaking, hiking, and sunsets that last well past nine o'clock. Our most popular season.
The sugar maples and quaking aspens ignite in amber and crimson. Fall color peaking in late September rivals anything New England can offer.
A hushed, spectacular world of ice formations, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and the remote chance of witnessing the northern lights.