About Our Tours

Summer

We haven’t been this excited about paddling season since, well, last year!

Enjoy a summer of fun by joining us for a guided tour along the North Shore with one of our Wilderness First Aid certified experts. These trips include transportation from the store, all necessary gear, and a snack on half-day trips or lunch on full-day trips. All tours have a two-person minimum, although we can offer an individual tour at a personalized cost. Here is what you can look forward to this summer:

  • Annual Isle Royale Kayak Trip: Each year our team plans an exciting overnight excursion to Isle Royale National Park, typically lasting between 5-7 days. Bring your favorite hiking/camping outfit and we’ll provide the rest. This year’s trip is June 15-20. If you’re interested, the price is $2,200/person For more information, check out our blog post about the trip.

  • Canoeing in the BWCAW: Join us for a full-day canoe tour on a pristine lake (or a few) in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 6 hours $175/person

  • Kayaking in the BWCAW: Paddle for a full-day kayak tour with loons, keeping your eyes peeled for eagles. 6 hours $175/person

  • *Half-Day Kayaking: Experience the power of the big lake or travel to a quiet inland lake. 3 hours $90/person

  • Sunset Paddle Board Yoga: Offered Tuesday evenings, this class is designed for beginners to do a little paddling, and a little yoga. No standing is necessary, unless you want to! Bring your towels and bathing suit, as there is always an option to swim. 2 hours $50/person

  • Ontario Lake Superior Kayaking: Paddle a protected bay with nearby offshore islands and seaside cliffs on this full-day tour. *Passport required. $225/person

  • Hiking the SHT and Gunflint Trail area: Traverse our favorite sections of the Superior Hiking Trail, or explore hidden gems found in the forest north of town, learning more about the local ecology and history in the process. 3 hours $50/person or 6 hours $90/person

  • Destination Yoga: Hike to a beautiful location for a yoga session with a Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. 3 hours $60/person or 6 hours $100/person

* Please note that the kayak tour type that is led is determined by current and predicted weather and road conditions. We make every effort to paddle on Lake Superior whenever possible, but may have to reroute to an inland lake due to winds, waves or fog. In that case, instead of paddling with gulls and geese, you will paddle with loons, while keeping watch for eagles. All our lakes are lovely for paddling.

** Please note that customized trips may incur additional fees to accommodate tour requests. These fees will be explained to you throughout the planning process so you can make a plan that meets your needs and budget.

Tour pricing is per person for the selected tour, based on a two-person minimum. Please be sure to arrive 15-20 minutes early to review your reservation and complete additional paperwork.

Winter

You better believe we’re going to make the most of this summer, but we can’t help but look forward with anticipation to next winter. Boy, will we be happy to see snow again! If you want to get a jumpstart on your plans, take a look at ours.

Explore our winter wonderland by joining us for a guided tour along the North Shore with one of our Wilderness First Aid certified experts. These trips include transportation from the store, all necessary gear, and a snack on half-day trips or lunch on full-day trips. All tours have a two-person minimum, although we can offer an individual tour at a personalized cost.

  • *Winter Hiking: Before we get too covered with snow, the trails are still great for exploring with our naturalists. 3 hours $50/person or 6 hours $90/person

  • Cross-Country Skiing: Experience some of the many incredible cross-country ski trails found along the North Shore on a full or half-day tour. 3 hours $75/person or 6 hours $150/person

  • *Snowshoeing on the SHT: Traverse our favorite sections of the Superior Hiking Trail, learning more about the local ecology in the process. 3 hours $75/person

  • *Snowshoeing in the BWCAW: Join us for a full-day snowshoe tour in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 6 hours $150/person

  • *River HOK Ski: Backcountry sky on top of a frozen river during a full or half-day tour along the North Shore. 3 hours $75/person or 6 hours $150/person

* Please note that the snowshoe tour type that is led is determined by current and predicted weather and road conditions. We make every effort to enjoy River Snowshoeing when conditions allow, but occasionally have to reroute to the BWCAW or the SHT due to poor ice conditions.

** Please note that customized trips may incur additional fees to accommodate tour requests. These fees will be explained to you throughout the planning process so you can make a plan that meets your needs and budget.

Tour pricing is per person for the selected tour, based on a two-person minimum. Please be sure to arrive 15-20 minutes early to review your reservation and complete additional paperwork.

Spring

No matter the season, there’s always something to do and see, even (especially?) in shoulder season.

Come join the guides at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply to explore the North Shore in the time when the birds are migrating, plants are starting to grow, and the Aurora Boreal is most prevalent. It is a quiet time in the North Woods that you don’t want to miss!

  • Starlight Hike: Join John for a tour of the stars!  Participants get to take a night hike on one of our local trails, and John will point out different constellations and the legends behind them.  If we are lucky, the Aurora Borealis will make an appearance too!  The hike could be moderate to challenging depending on light and snow conditions. $50/Person for the hike.  Option to add Forest Bathing or Yoga with a certified instructor.

  • Wolf Howling Night Hike: Join John for a night hike on one of our beautiful local trails on which we will learn about the wolves, and try to communicate with them.The hike could be moderate to challenging depending on light and snow conditions. $50/Person (2 Person Minimum)

  • Half DaySuperior Hiking Trail Hike: Come hike on one of the best hiking trails in the world with an experienced naturalist!  Participants learn about local geology, history, flora, and fauna while hiking through some amazing scenery.  Participants can also add Forest Bathing or Yoga to the hike for an additional fee.  $50/Person for the hike.  Option to add Forest Bathing or Yoga with a certified instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do we meet for a guided tour?

Unless specifically stated otherwise, all of our tours start at our retail store located in Grand Marais, MN.

What should I bring on a guided tour?

We encourage folks to check the weather forecast, dressing for present and predicted weather conditions. We recommend bringing a water bottle and anything else you may need, including snacks, medications, bug repellent, etc.

Anyone joining a summer paddling tour on Lake Superior should be prepared to wear a sleeveless wetsuit. We recommend sandals with straps or water shoes (no flip flops!) for all paddling tours.

Anyone joining a winter snowshoeing tour should wear insulated winter hiking boots, or similar.

Otherwise we will provide all required equipment for the activity, including boats, paddles, life jackets (PFDs), snowshoes, skis, etc. If you wish to bring any personal items, that is allowed but you use these items at your own risk following a basic inspection performed by our staff.

What happens if I’m late for a tour?

While we do our best to accommodate everyone, we cannot always wait for late group members. In the event that a tour must leave without you and your group, you will be able to reschedule for free one time. Any additional changes, delays, or special accommodations to the tour schedule may incur rescheduling fees. If you prefer, we can offer a raincheck for the value of your tour, which will allow you to rebook your tour experience at your convenience.

What if my plans change and I need to cancel?

We get it! Cancellations up to 48 hours before your reservation starts are given a refund minus a $12 processing fee. Reservations cancelled within the 48 hours before the tour was set to begin aren’t eligible for any refunds, though we should be able to offer you a raincheck for the value of the fees paid, which will allow you to rebook your tour experience at your convenience.

What if I want a longer adventure? Do you do full day tours?

Yes! To help ensure that the timing of a full day tour works with the rest of our tour schedule, please contact us to inquire about and book a full day tour.

Do you offer fishing or ice fishing tours?

Great question! While we have offered fishing and ice fishing tours in the past, at this time we are unable to lead any fishing tours. We’re hoping to be able to offer fishing tours sometime this summer and will be ready for ice fishing tours next winter, and will be sure to share once we’ve resumed offering these tours. In the meantime, we still rent some fishing and ice fishing equipment. Learn more about fishing rentals.

Do you offer climbing or ice climbing tours?

We wish! While we have offered climbing and ice climbing tours in the past, we have decided to move away from these tour offerings due to a lack of consistent interest. We are currently in the process of selling our climbing equipment. If you are interested in having someone take you on a guided climbing tour, feel free to Contact Us for a referral to local guides. If you are interested in purchasing our used climbing equipment, please get in touch using the link above and request to speak with John, our Tour and Rental Coordinator.

What if I have another question?

That’s awesome! Feel free to use any option available on the Contact page to get in touch with our team.