Trail Tales: Magnetic Rock Trail, Gunflint Trail - Grand Marais, MN
Thank you for checking out our latest OWL community sourced “Trail Tales”. Our goal with Trail Tales is to share the inside scoop on interesting hiking trails across the US from the locals that know it best. Please contact us (@outdoorwiseliving on IG or through the help page) if you are interested in being featured with your own trail tale!
Our second Trail Tale review is authored by Antonia Grant. She is a Minnesota mom who loves hiking, being on the water with her family and is a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia on Instagram @knead.to.roam, where she shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds!
Trail Name: Magnetic Rock Trail
Location: Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, MN
Would you visit again? Absolutely, again and again!
Quick Summary: Tucked away, near the end of the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marias, Minnesota, is a trail leading to a monolithic, magnetic rock. Seriously! It’s true - and it might just be the most epic hike in Minnesota. The 4.3-mile out-and-back trail twists and turns around boulders, streams, ancient lava flows, woods, and stretches of wildflowers. Along the trail, you can also enjoy several scenic views. The piece de resistance, however, is the 60-foot monolith at the end of the trail. Magnetic Rock Trail is about to become your next must-hike trail in Minnesota!
Our Trail Tale
The North Shore of Minnesota (the stretch between Duluth and Grand Portage, along the western shores of Lake Superior) is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of the state. The North Shore is where you can see trees grow from rocks, chase waterfalls, and, depending on the season, munch on the World’s Best Donuts. There are countless hikes to choose from when you visit this outdoor paradise - so where do you start?
My recommendation: Magnetic Rock Trail. While it’s not the easiest or fastest hike to get to from town, it will repay your efforts tenfold. The trailhead is about an hour from downtown Grand Marias, toward the end of the Gunflint Trail. There is a small parking lot near the trailhead (on the right-hand side of the road) of this moderate 4.3-mile out-and-back trail (as well as a latrine at the beginning of the trail). There is no entrance fee.
Due to its location, you may be the only hikers on the trail - and there is no reception on this part of the Gunflint Trail. Plan ahead with snacks, water, and layers (the weather can change quickly here). Some hikers may also want hiking poles, though they are not strictly necessary. Additionally, be sure to let someone know about your hiking plans. Finally, bring a magnet and a compass to test it against this magnetic stone. This hike will take half a day for the experience (minimum), so plan accordingly. Trail Center At Poplar Lake and Poplar Haus Restaurant & Bar are the best lunch options.
Now that I have my tips out of the way, allow me to share more of my trail tale.
I learned about this hike from an amazing North Shore creator on Instagram (shout out to Katie - @kemofthenorth) - and knew that I had to do it with my family. So, the next time we visited my in-laws (who live in Grand Marais), we decided to embark on the hike together. We did the hike in early November. The weather was cool, and we even saw a bit of snow flurries. We also caught the last few fall colors amongst the trees.
As I shared earlier, the trailhead is about an hour from town, so we planned to start the hike in the morning and end with lunch on the way home. You’ll want to do likewise, as the hike will take a few hours. The drive is beautiful - and lucky hikers may even see a moose along the drive. I’ve never been so fortunate, but I keep hoping!
The parking lot is small, and we were the first car to arrive. We headed out and were immediately delighted by the trail. In fact, my daughter (age 6 at the time) declared, “This is my kind of hike!” over and over with sheer glee. She’s often not a fan of broad, flat, straight paths, so this was right up her alley. True to her adventurous nature, she much prefers trails with roots, boulders, and other obstacles. Luckily for her, this path twists and turns around boulders, streams, ancient lava flows, woods, and stretches of wildflowers. And, luckily for me, several stunning vistas overlook the area. As if this trail wasn’t impressive enough already, it got so much better!
The piece de resistance is the 60-foot monolith at the end of the trail. The namesake magnetic rock is also the turnaround point for the trail - so you can’t miss it! Upon approach, we couldn’t believe our eyes. It is HUGE. Like, really huge. And what a sight to behold. We spent about 45 minutes just wandering about this area before turning around and finishing the hike.
There was a magnet on the rock we could play around with when we were there - and dang, it was incredible! It was so fun talking to my daughter about how she thought the rock got there, how magnets work, what the rock was made of, etc. We forgot ours, but I definitely recommend bringing a compass! When you use a compass (a traditional one, not one on your phone) near the rock, you can see how the magnetic rock impacts the needle. For science-loving families, this simply can’t be beat.
After the hike, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Trail Center At Poplar Lake (their burgers are so good!). It was the perfect place to end a lovely day of adventuring together. Overall, we highly recommend Magnetic Rock Trail when exploring Grand Marais and Minnesota’s North Shore. The views alone are worth it, and the magnetic rock is a marvel to behold!