During the winter season, from late December until early March, Bearskin offers dining on Saturday evenings. In all other seasons, we encourage our guests to explore the area by dining at the many fun and funky little restaurants that dot the area. All Bearskin cabins and lodges have full kitchens, so it is easy cook your own meal or bring back something tasty from the Bearskin kitchen.
Bearskin Take & Bake fresh homemade pizzas
Serves 2-4 people
- Cheese Pizza $13.50
- Pepperoni Pizza $15.00
- Bearskin Lodge Special Pizza $19.50 (Pepperoni, Onion, Peppers, and Mushrooms)
- Bearskin Lodge Vegetarian Special Pizza $17.50 (Onions, Peppers,Mushrooms, and Fresh Basil )
Made to order. Order before 4 PM, or call ahead and we’ll have your pizza ready when you arrive. If you will be arriving late, let us know and we will leave the pizza in your cabin fridge.
You may order a Bearskin pizza if you are staying at another site, but only if you place your order before 4 PM and if you will be arriving at our Lodge well before our closing time. We will not ask employees to stay late so an off-site pizza order can be picked up after closing time. When you place your pizza order, talk to our staff person about pick-up arrangements.
Hot soup & chili in the Lodge
From November until mid-April, Bearskin offers a large mug of chili or soup with crackers in the lodge everyday between 11 AM – 4 PM for $7.50. Enjoy your soup or chili with a beer, wine, or soda while you watch the birds outside the lodge window or sit by the fireplace.
Fresh baked pies
Bearskin bakes pies every morning. We offer apple and fruits of the forest (a berry and fruit mix) for $18. You can place an order for a pie before you arrive, or order one during your stay. We no longer offer pie by the slice in the lodge on a daily basis. We ended up with too many left over slices that we had to eat. Order a full pie and share with your group.
Cookies
We bake cookies many times each week. They are available in our bakery case, or you can call ahead and order a batch specifically for you and your group. If you’re visiting us during Value Season, call ahead for bakery item availability.
Bearskin’s famous chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches
We bake ’em, then make ’em. Two delicious chocolate chip cookies with 3 scoops of ice cream in the middle. What a treat!
More
Hot chocolate with whipped cream and cookies, wine by the glass or bottle, and an array of primarily Minnesota beers (Surly, Summit, Lake Superior, Voyageurs, and more) are also available in the Lodge anytime.
Other local dining options:
Summer is dining season on the Gunflint Trail. There are fewer winter options, but you still have choices. Experience more of the Trail’s ambiance by dining at nearby restaurants and resorts. Our front desk staff will be happy to help you make a dining plan. A few of our favorite options:
- Trail Center — this iconic classic Gunflint Trail restaurant is located about 3 minutes from Bearskin Lodge. Named one of the “best” by Esquire magazine. No reservations, open until 9 PM. Wait times for seating can be long on weekends; choose to dine midweek, or at early or later times on weekends, to avoid crowds. A big food, big personality place with an extensive menu that meets many dietary needs. Trail Center does close for about 6 weeks twice a year, in November-early December and again in April-early May.
- Loon Lake Lodge — a less well-known but rewarding dining option available only in summer. Dine in an historic lodge building, about 20 minutes from Bearskin. Opens shortly after Memorial Weekend, closes when it gets too cold in the old lodge. Reservations required, at least 1 day in advance. Small dining area that easily fills up, so plan ahead. 218.388.2232
- Hungry Jack Lodge — The downstairs bar area at Hungry Jack is your best local option if you want to catch a ballgame or important event on TV; they serve classic bar food downstairs, including great sandwiches. No reservations needed. Closed for a few weeks every spring and fall — ask our front desk staff to check for you.
- Poplar Haus — located in the building formerly known as Windigo (yes, the one with the giant moose out front), you won’t believe the transformation this restaurant/bar has undergone. Features mainly sandwiches and appetizers, as well as an extensive drink menu. Vegetarian options now available. Not open all days or all times of the year, so ask our front desk to check for you.
- Gunflint Lodge — the Red Paddle Bistro and Justine’s fine dining have been combined into a single restaurant, so there is wide price range on one menu now. Good options for special dietary needs. We can make reservations for you at the front desk. Plan on about 25 minutes to get there. Open all year.
- Trails End Cafe at Way of the Wilderness — Small (and we really do mean small) cafe near the end of the Gunflint Trail, about 30 miles from Bearskin. Open in summer only. Renowned for exceptionally good hamburgers.
Dining in Grand Marais:
Our mid-trail location makes it fairly easy to drive in to Grand Marais to try the many local restaurants.
- Harbor House Grille, in the building that once housed our former restaurant partner, Chez Jude, has expanded and has consistently good reviews from our guests. Look for the little yellow house with the spacious new deck.
- Crooked Spoon, a staff favorite, is right in the center of town but small enough that it’s easy to miss.
- Gun Flint Tavern is past the Joynes Ben Franklin and is open all year.
- Sven and Ole’s is the classic Grand Marais pizza place made famous by yellow bumper stickers
- My Sister’s Place, located on Hwy 61 near the IGA, features a large menu and food that is similar to the food at Trail Center.
- Angry Trout is a fabulous place for fresh fish meals in the summer.
- Ravenrock Grill at the Skyport Lodge on Devil’s Track Lake is off the beaten track, not exactly on the Gunflint Trail and not quite in Grand Marais, and features one of the best kid-friendly menus (they have kids, they know). Ravenrock is quite reliable about featuring at least one vegan option on the menu.
Our staff will be happy to recommend their Grand Marais favorites for you. Ask Kate or Quinn if you are looking for vegetarian/vegan options–they usually know which restaurants are offering any veggie choices.
A note to travelers visiting the area in April to early May, or November to late December: Most restaurants on the Gunflint Trail and in Grand Marais close down or have limited open hours during these months. Luckily, your cabin or lodge has a full kitchen facility, so you will be able to prepare your own meals. If you’d like to dine out, call us — our staff can always help you find an available option.
