Naturalist Tours
Join us for an unforgettable naturalist tour into the wild and scenic Superior National Forest near Grand Marais, Minnesota. We offer both private and public tours. Naturalist tours have multiple start times and last 2.5-3 hours. Trips start from a variety of locations along the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais.
USE PROMO CODE BWCA2024 AT ChECKOUT FOR 10% OFF WHEN BOOKING BEFORE JUNE 1, 2024
Naturalist Canoe (PUBLIC)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Travel time from Grand Marais: 50 minutes
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Price: $79/adult + $49/child (17 and under)
Paddle with others through a black spruce sphagnum bog while learning about the flora, fauna, and natural history of the area. This trip requires a minimum of 4 people to operate. You will be notified 24 hours prior if the minimum is not met and asked if you would like to have a private tour instead. We recommend this tour for anyone with mobility issues or concerns about hiking on rocky, uneven terrain.
Naturalist Canoe (Private)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Travel time from Grand Marais: 50 minutes
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Price: $189 base price + $65/adult + $39/child (17 and under)
Glide through serene waterways while your guide shares with you their knowledge of the Quetico-Superior ecosystem, vibrant flora, and elusive wildlife. This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants. We recommend this tour for anyone with mobility issues or concerns about hiking on rocky, uneven terrain.
Naturalist Hike (Public)
Difficulty: Moderate (rocks, roots, big steps, hills, uneven trails)
Travel time from Grand Marais: 45min - 1h15m
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Price: $59/adult + $39/child (17 and under)
Hike with others to soaring vistas, through landscapes touched by wildfire, and through old growth forests as your guide teaches you about the Quetico-Superior wilderness. This trip requires a minimum of 5 people to operate. You will be notified 24 hours prior if the minimum is not met and asked if you would like to have a private tour instead.
Naturalist Hike (Private)
Difficulty: Moderate (rocks, roots, big steps, hills, uneven trails)
Travel time from Grand Marais: 45min - 1h15m
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Price: $159 base + $29/adult + $19/child (17 and under)
Hike to hidden waterfalls, blueberry patches, and overlooks on this private hiking tour led by an expert local guide . This trip requires a minimum of 2 people to operate.
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Beyond the services of an expert local guide, we provide the canoes, paddles, and life jackets on our naturalist canoe tours; and we provide trekking poles upon request for our naturalist hiking tours.
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Closed toe shoes that can get wet
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, bug net
Warm layer such as a sweatshirt or jacket
Rain jacket
Water bottle
Dry clothes for after the tour
Snacks (no glass bottles or cans)
Camera
Small backpack to carry the above items
Cash to tip your guide (our guides also have Venmo!)
Weather can change rapidly and varies dramatically based on elevation and time of day. Layering your clothing is the best way to go. Quick drying fabrics and insulation appropriate for the season are recommended.
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Once your tour is booked, the following policy applies. Tour cancellations within the specified time frames below will be refunded the corresponding amount. We are unable to refund any booking or processing fees.
21+ days prior to tour date: full refund
10-20 days prior to tour date: 90% refunded
7-9 days prior to tour date: 75% refunded
3-6 days prior to tour date: 25% refunded
0-48 hours prior to tour date: no refund
Day tours can be rescheduled in advance given availability. Please contact us for the possibility of rescheduling. If no availability, the cancellation policy applies.
We reserve the right to cancel a tour at any time prior to or during the tour for any reason, including weather or safety.
Be aware that public tours require a certain number of participants to operate. If the number needed is not reached, the tour will be cancelled 24 hours in advance.
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We will not operate a tour if weather conditions are dangerous.
However, light rain and cool weather is generally not considered dangerous. A day that starts off cool and foggy can quickly warm up to a perfect summer day. Please dress appropriately!
It will be at your guide’s discretion whether or not to operate a tour based on weather conditions.
If conditions are dangerous we will try to reschedule your tour. If we are unable to reschedule, you will receive full refund for your tour. Please try to book early in your trip so that if the weather causes us to reschedule we will be able to find a later date that works for you.
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