The Lutsen-Tofte area is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic sections of the Superior Hiking Trail.This 205-mile footpath follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior from Two Harbors to the Canadian border, passing through numerous state parks and featuring access every 5-10 miles along the shore. The Superior Hiking Trail has been dubbed the "Appalachian Trail of the Midwest" by the Chicago Tribune and was listed on Backpacker Magazine’s “10 Prime Trails That Leave All Others in the Dust.”

For those new to the area, new to hiking, or who simply enjoy the company of others, Surfside offers guided hiking excursions through our sister resort, Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior. Our complimentary shuttle service brings guests to and from area trailheads. Favorite hikes include Carlton Peak and Oberg Mountain. Pick up an area trail map at Guest Services and hit the trail. P.S. You might want to bring your boots for spring hiking.

Road and mountain bike rentals are included as part of your stay at Surfside on Lake Superior and the area offers trails for both that meet all skill and ambition levels. From a gentle ride along the Gitchi-Gami paved trail, to the challenging single-track of Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais, to the rugged back-roads and trails inland of Tofte, everyone is guaranteed to find biking to meet their abilities and desires.

Unique geologic formations along the North Shore of Lake Superior allow visitors the opportunity to witness breathtaking waterfalls. In the spring when the snow melts, these waterfalls swell and create spectacular sights. A hike in a state park with a waterfall is sure to delight. Many state parks with falls are only a short drive from Surfside. Check with Guest Services for current trail conditions, waterfall sightseeing suggestions, and to learn more about our spring guided waterfall tours.

In early spring, as the days become warmer and the nights dip below freezing, area maple trees spring to life. Lusten-Tofte is home to thousands of sap producing maple trees, and two award-winning maple syrup producing companies.

To harvest the sap to make maple syrup, small holes are drilled into the trees and sap flows from the tree through a tubing system into a sugarhouse, where it is boiled to become genuine, organic North Shore Maple Syrup. Ask about maple syrup tours or check our Calendar of Events for details.

Wild Country Maple Products
191 Barker Lake Road
Lutsen, MN 55612
877-663-8010

Caribou Cream
558 Caribou Trail
Lutsen, MN 55612

218-663-7841

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), named one of National Geographic’s “50 Destinations of a Lifetime”, truly deserves its reputation as one of the top wilderness destinations in the country. Upwards of 1.3 million acres of federally designated and protected land is home to over 1,200 canoe routes, 15 hiking trails, and more than 2,000 designated campsites.

Only 25 miles from Bluefin Bay, guests can access this pristine wilderness via the Sawbill Lake entrance point. Sawbill Outfitters provides full service canoe outfitting, allowing guests to rent all equipment necessary for their excursion right at the access point. One of the most popular options for a BWCA daytrip is the Kelso loop, which allows for the wilderness experience of a weeklong trip all in a single day.

Guests of Surfside on Lake Superior have the unique opportunity to experience 3 hour Lake Superior Charter Fishing excursion with expert Captain Darren Peck aboard Tofte Charters. If you would like a longer trip, Tofte Charters offers half and full day trips. Watch the Sawtooth Mountain range and the Superior National Forest slide slowly by as you troll along the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior. King salmon, coho salmon, steelhead and lake trout inhabit the local waters and all make for fine dining after the trip. Fishing is also available on a variety of inland lakes in the area. Ask Guest Services for more information.

Located just seven miles from Superior National Golf Course, Surfside is the perfect place to stay on your golf getaway. Superior National Golf Course, offering 27 unique holes, was ranked as the #1 public golf course in Minnesota by #1 public golf course in Minnesota by Golf Digest Magazine. Being tucked into the beautiful north woods and overlooking Lake Superior only further enhance this already amazingly designed course.

Guests of Surfside on Lake Superior can enjoy our complimentary kid’s activities provided at our sister resort, Bluefin Bay, less than one mile from the resort. Whether you’re in search of some time away from the kids or choose to participate in the crafts right alongside them, our kid’s activities program deliver excitement and entertainment for your children during any season.

Surfside has a campfire area with a large fire ring and plenty of seating for the whole crew. The campfire area is located on the parking lot side of units 11-14. Stop by Guest Services to pick up complimentary s’mores packets and enjoy!

Start the campfire on your own or call Guest Services to have it lit for you. Surfside guests are also invited to attend the lakeside campfire and s’mores with live music on Saturday nights at our sister resort, Bluefin Bay.