Cascade Vacation Rentals Blog | A Guide to all things North Shore

25 02, 2021

Split Rock Lighthouse
Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse

Jaye2021-02-25T16:53:04+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaver Bay/Silver Bay/Finland, History, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most iconic buildings on Lake Superior's North Shore. Now decommissioned, the lighthouse has been beautifully preserved and is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Read on to learn more about the history of the lighthouse. Why A Lighthouse at Split Rock? Starting on November 27, 1905, a massive storm, known as the Mataafa Storm, hit the Great Lakes region. The storm caused a total of 29 shipwrecks on Lake Superior during a two-day period. One of those ships, the Madeira, sank near the area known as Split Rock. Recognizing a need [...]

11 02, 2021

Red Fox
Red Fox

Red Fox

Martha Finley2021-02-15T18:17:58+00:00Animals|

We here at CVR have had quite a few interactions with the local red fox that call the area home. First, two pairs of foxes had babies right outside of our Lutsen offices back in 2019. The curious group of pups entertained staff and visitors alike with their adorable antics the entire summer. We've also spotted red foxes around homes, including the time our maintenance man, Marc, spotted this adorable red fox snoozing away on the steps of Blue House in Lutsen. However, you don't have to be in Lutsen to see them! The red fox population along the North [...]

4 02, 2021

Experience the BWCA
Experience the BWCA

Experience the BWCA

Jaye2022-06-22T21:25:39+00:00Activities & Attractions, Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) is a 1 million-acre wilderness area located within the Superior National Forest. This pristine area is accessible only by hiking or paddling your way in, there are no motorized vehicles are allowed. It's a great way to experience the incredibly beautiful (and peaceful) Northwoods without the distractions of modern technology. In this guide, we will help you experience a day trip or overnight trip into the BWCA with Cascade Vacation Rentals. There are three ways you can explore and enjoy the BWCA: Take a Day Trip by Canoe Free day passes allow you [...]

20 01, 2021

Grand Portage National Monument
Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Portage National Monument

Martha Finley2021-02-15T18:28:27+00:00History, Hovland/Grand Portage|

Grand Portage National Monument is a United States National Monument located on the north shore of Lake Superior in Grand Portage, MN. It is an Ojibwe monument that forms a bridge between time, people, and culture. You'll learn about and explore the partnership between Grand Portage Ojibwe and the North West Company during the fur trade. While there you can see historic cooking and baking demonstrations and learn about fur trade history, and area history. History of the Grand Portage Known by the Ojibwe as the Gitchi Onigaming or "Great Carrying Place" the 8.5 mile portage trail allowed American Indians [...]

12 01, 2021

Caribou Lake
Caribou Lake

Caribou Lake

Martha Finley2021-02-15T18:32:29+00:00Lutsen|

Caribou Lake is a beautiful lake with picturesque views located north of Lutsen MN, on the Caribou Trail. There are two other lakes by the same name in the county. The other two lakes are well into the BWCA. This lake is also home to Base Camp, Maple Haven, and Caribou Crossing. Caribou Lake is well known for swimming, water skiing, fishing, and in the winter ice fishing, and in the fall season, you can enjoy the amazing leaf colors. A terrific location for year-round activities! This lake is 728 acres in size and is approximately 30 feet deep [...]

11 01, 2021

Loon Lake
Loon Lake

Loon Lake

Martha Finley2024-01-24T16:59:34+00:00Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

Loon Lake is located 42 miles north of Grand Marais, MN up the Gunflint Trail. The lake is 1,095 acres in size. It is approximately 202 feet deep at its deepest point. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Splake. Loon Lake had one public boat launch located off of CR 12 on the SE shore. This is a concrete trailer launch with limited parking spaces. Getting There: From downtown Grand Marais take a right onto 5th street and continue [...]

11 01, 2021

Devil Track Lake
Devil Track Lake

Devil Track Lake

Martha Finley2025-06-03T17:41:35+00:00Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

If you prefer that your Northwoods adventures include a swimmable and boatable inland lake, look no further than Devil Track Lake in Grand Marais, Minnesota. The inland lake is well known as a boaters paradise in the summer months and a snowmobilers paradise in the winter. Quick Facts About Devil Track Lake Devil Track Lake is located about 13 miles north of Grand Marais, MN off the Gunflint Trail. The lake has a maximum depth of 50 feet and water clarity down to 8.6 feet with a surface area of 1,867 acres. Fishing enthusiasts can expect to catch a [...]

11 01, 2021

Birch Lake
Birch Lake

Birch Lake

Martha Finley2024-01-24T16:57:57+00:00Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

Birch Lake is 34 miles north of Grand Marais, MN up the Gunflint Trail, This lake is 236 acres in size, approximately 69 feet deep at its deepest point with water clarity up to 17 feet. Anglers can expect to catch Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Splake. There is one public boat launch on this Lake on the south shore off the Gunflint Trail. Located at the Laurentian Divide Scenic Overlook. The boat launch is a dirt carry-in access with parking for about five vehicles. Getting There: From downtown Grand Marais turn right onto [...]

11 01, 2021

Poplar Lake
Poplar Lake

Poplar Lake

Martha Finley2024-01-24T16:58:16+00:00Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

Poplar Lake is Located about 30 miles north of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail just outside of the BWCA. This lake is 764 acres in size, approximately 73 feet deep at its deepest point, and has water clarity as deep as 1o feet. In the winter Poplar Lake is the start and endpoint for the Gunflint Mail Run, a competitive dog sled race with up to 30 teams on the first weekend of January. Poplar Lake also has 3 Entry Points (EP) into the BWCA. EP 47: Lizz and Swamp Lakes, EP 48: Meeds Lake, and EP 49: [...]

5 01, 2021

Clearwater Lake
Clearwater Lake

Clearwater Lake

Martha Finley2024-01-24T16:57:00+00:00Gunflint Trail/BWCA, Waterfalls|

Clearwater Lake is a beautiful lake 33 miles north of Grand Marais, MN up the Gunflint Trail. It is one of the clearest lakes in the area and is also partially in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. You can also access three other BWCA lakes from Clearwater. Caribou Lake, West Pike Lake, Mountain Lake can be portaged off of Clearwater and all three offer different ways of completing the Clearwater Main Route. This lake is 1,344 acres in size and approximately 130 feet deep at its deepest point. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of [...]