My wife and I decided kind of spur-of-the-moment that we needed to get away for a long weekend. After scouring the Internet, we found Caribou Highlands Lodge. We liked the location, the amenities, and the reasonable rates, so we locked in for a weekend stay.
The Lodge is located in Lutsen, about a 4.5-hour drive from Minneapolis. After picking up a few groceries, we checked into the lodge around 6 p.m. Friday (check-in starts at 4:30). We walked into the lobby and our first impression was: This place is nice. Cozy. An enormous stone fireplace gave the lobby a very “lodge” like vibe. The staff was friendly during the check-in process, so no complaints there. Our condo, complete with a wood-burning fireplace and small kitchenette, was set up nicely for two and could accommodate up to four. It was just what we wanted, relaxing, quiet, and comfortable. We ate breakfast and lunch in our room and dinner at the on-site restaurant, Moguls. That worked out well for us. We didn’t take advantage of the indoor pool or hot tub, but that’s a nice amenity when the weather is cold, especially for those traveling with small kids.
Caribou Highlands is located right at the base of Lutsen Mountains, and you can reserve a unit with ski-in/ski-out access (back in 2006, we stayed in a townhome here with a group of friends and it was super convenient for us, we put on our skis, strapped into our boards, and away we went). It’s also within walking distance of the Superior Hiking Trail, where you can see Lake Superior from different vantage points. We bundled up and went hiking on Saturday, even though it was cold and snowy. The trail crosses the Poplar River and we were impressed by amazing views! If you’re staying in the area, I highly recommend checking it out. And if you’re into snowmobiling or cross-country skiing, there are miles and miles of nearby trails. You can also borrow a pair of snowshoes from the front desk and try a short, easy trail.
If you want to explore more of the North Shore, Grand Marais is about a 20-minute drive down the road, with great shopping, cafés, and a lighthouse you can walk out to along Artists Point.
We’ll definitely be back.
For more information about Caribou Highlands Lodge, visit caribouhighlands.com.
