If you like long walks on the beach this hike is for you! You will walk the pebble, sand, cobble, and rock beaches of Wauswaugoning Bay — all with beautiful views of Lake Superior and several islands.
Roundtrip: 8km
Difficulty: Difficult
Location:?Grand Portage, MN
We found it was nice to hike this in the fall as the waves were calm, and it was easier to stay dry. But this would also be a fantastic hike on a hot summer day when you don’t mind getting a bit wet.
From the Pigeon River Border Crossing drive South on Highway 61 for 2km. Park off the highway close to the Grand Portage State Park sign located on the lakeside of the highway. Near the sign look for a slope next to a culvert and hike down. At the bottom of the slope, you will find a wide, flagged trail that leads to the lake. (I will have to find the rest of this trail another time) Once you reach the shore you hike along the beach as far as you like. There are some spots where you will have to bushwhack a short distance because the shoreline is impassable. At the 4km mark, you will have reached an amazing terraced beach. You could continue past here if you wish but we found this to be a perfect spot to picnic and a good place to turn back.
That’s good advice. Thanks Travis.
It should be noted that this is NOT a public, advertised, trail and it is entirely on the Grand Portage Reservation. You should get permission from either the Tribal Council (218-475-2277) or the Tribal Natural Resource Department (218-475-2415) before hiking this trail, just so they know that you are down there and what you are doing.
Travis Novitsky
Grand Portage, MN