Pet Friendly Lodging in Grand Marais, Minnesota

Pet owners face a dilemma when preparing for a vacation away from home. Hiring a sitter or boarding furry family members at a kennel are costly alternatives. There is a third way to enjoy the vacation and the company of the family pet and that is to seek out pet friendly lodging.

Grand Marais, Minnesota, is the perfect place for a vacation with the family pet. This small historic fishing community nestles on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The 57 mile long Gunflint Trail into the wilderness starts here. Grand Marais is about thirty miles from the Canadian border. Twelve lodging establishments accept pets and their owners.

The pet owner should remember a few courtesies before visiting the Grand Marais area. Calling ahead to find out if the motel still accepts pets and what the rate is for the pet to stay with you is imperative. Do not plan to leave the pet unattended for long periods of time in the room. Bring a pet bed and a leash. Plan to clean up after the pet when he has done his business. Keep him from disturbing other guests. Follow the pet policy the motel has in place. Most establishments will not allow pets in any place but the room in which they will stay.

As you drive toward the Canadian border, the first motel you will come to is the Grand Marais Inn at 1800 West Highway 61. The hotel was originally built in 1976 and has seventeen rooms. Pets are allowed, but the rooms in which they are permitted are limited. The hotel has a hot tub and health club for guests.

The Super 8 of Grand Marais is further northeast at 1711 West Highway 61. Furry members of the family are allowed with permission beforehand. This motel was built in 1991 and is part of the Grand Marais Hotel Company. A hot tub is available. The room rates are higher than some of the older motels in Grand Marais.

The next lodging establishment up the shore of Lake Superior is Trailside Cabins and Motel at 1100 West Highway 61. Pets are allowed at this establishment but must stay off the beds and furniture. There are eight cabins and an equal number of motel units available with rates comparable to other lodging establishments in the Grand Marais, Minnesota, area.

Lund's Motel and Cottages at 919 West Highway 61 has been serving customers since 1937. Pets are allowed only in the cottages.

To check in to the Spruceglen Inn at 310 East Highway 61 you must register through the Aspen Lodge. Both are part of the Grand Marais Hotel Company. Rooms specifically for furry friends and their humans are limited, so call first. This motel has only twelve units but guests here can use the sauna and swimming pool at the Aspen Lodge. The Inn is open year round.

The Mangy Moose Motel of Grand Marais at Highway 61 and 2nd Avenue East allows pets but charges $10 per pet per night. This motel is rather small with 9 units.

The Wedgewood Motel at 1663 East Highway 61 closes from mid-October to mid-May and has ten rooms, three of which are designated pet-free units. This Grand Marais motel allows well behaved dogs to stay for $5 per dog per night. The dog must be attended at all times. Five of the motel units face the lake and the rest face the forest.

At 2935 East Highway 61 outside Grand Marais, Minnesota, is the Outpost Motel. It has two kitchenette suites, a cottage without a lake view, motel rooms, and a loft apartment. They charge $10 per pet per day.

The Best Western-Superior Inn and Suites at 104 1st Ave East allows small to midsize pets for an additional $15 per pet per day. The specific rooms pets may stay in are the traditional standard rooms, not the suites. A stay at this Inn in Grand Marais costs a bit more but guests can use the hot tub and pool on site. Owners must register their pet when checking in.

The lodging establishment now known as East Bay Suites on Lake Superior was originally built in the early 1900s as the Lakeside Hotel. Located on Wisconsin Street in Grand Marais, it offers a Pooch Package for $29.95 plus tax. This includes a doggie water bottle, personalized dog tag, gourmet doggie treats, and chew toys. Pets stay for $15 otherwise.

Harbor Inn and Restaurant sits at 207 Wisconsin Street. One pet unit is available, and the owners have a dog themselves. The restaurant closes during the winter months but the lodging prices are comparable to other similar establishments in the area.

The last pet friendly motel in Grand Marais, Minnesota, is the Gunflint Motel. It is located at 101 5th Avenue, the beginning of the Old Gunflint Trail. Furry friends are allowed in the single pet friendly unit. The owner's residence dates to 1907 but the five unit motel was built in 1966.

With pet friendly motels to choose from in the Grand Marais, Minnesota, area, Fluffy or Fido do not need to be left at home when you go on vacation.