Best North Shore MN Resort: Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN
Best North Shore Resort: Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN
Beautiful floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace in the Caribou Highlands Lodge lobby – best North Shore resort for solo, couples and family vacations in Minnesota.
I am not a camper. And a very reluctant glamper. So I was excited when I had the opportunity to partner with Odyssey Resorts and one of their finest resorts on Minnesota’s North Shore and Sawtooth Mountains: Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, Minnesota. Our three-bedroom townhome was cozy, yet spacious, and the perfect winter retreat for our North Shore Minnesota staycation. Centrally located, Caribou Highlands Lodge is the perfect basecamp for hiking MN state parks, snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling and chasing frozen waterfalls.
Caribou Highlands Lodge is also the perfect Minnesota vacation and staycation in all other seasons for hiking MN state parks, chasing rushing waterfalls, fall foliage leaf peeping, boating, kayaking, canoing, swimming, backpacking, bike riding, and more.
While our stay at Caribou Highlands Lodge was sponsored, I only recommend places that offer the best experiences – and those I would recommend to family and friends. And I highly recommend Caribou Highlands Lodge as the best place to stay in Lutsen, MN.
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Top reasons why Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best North Shore, MN resort
Caribou Highlands Lodge is nestled right in Sawtooth Mountains just a half-mile from the Lutsen Mountains ski resort – offering not only the best resort accommodations on the North Shore, but also the best views like this one at sunset.
Comfy, cozy, yet spacious, North Shore, MN lodging at Caribou Highlands Lodge
My primary reason for visiting the North Shore MN – other than it is one of my most favorite places not only in Minnesota, but in the world – was to hike at several of the nearby state parks as part of my Minnesota State Park Challenge and my frozen waterfalls blog series. We absolutely loved coming home to Caribou Highlands Lodge after snow hiking and chasing frozen waterfalls at North Shore MN state parks during our Minnesota staycation.
Caribou Highlands Lodge offers several different lodging accommodations.
Lodge rooms with views of the mountains and/or woods – some with mini fridges or whirlpool baths
Studio units with balcony or patio, fireplace, kitchenette or whirlpool baths
Caribou Highlands Lodge three-bedroom townhome tour, review and experience
The main floor of the Caribou Highlands Lodge townhome features a full kitchen, counter bar with seating, a dining room table, a living room pull-out sofa, reading chair, flat-screen TV and doors leading out to a balcony with patio furniture and a BBQ grill.
Our inviting three-bedroom townhome at Caribou Highlands Lodge was so charming – comfy and cozy, yet spacious with a full kitchen, dining area, a fireplace and a balcony overlooking the woods and ski runs.
Caribou Highlands Lodge provides a space to store your skis in their townhomes.
Caribou Highlands Lodge also offers ski-in-ski-out accommodations and they even have a special place to keep your skis right outside your front door.
We arrived after dark in February so were thankful that the parking lot and sidewalk leading up to our three-bedroom townhome at Caribou Highlands Lodge was free from ice and snow. How inviting is this entryway?
We first noticed upon our arrival in February – and were very thankful – that the parking lot (which, by the way, you’ll receive two free spaces) and steps and sidewalk leading up to our townhome were 100% free from ice and snow. That’s the kind of things that gets noticed especially since Lutsen Mountains can get up to 10 feet of snow a year.
Caribou Highlands Lodge three-bedroom townhome main floor virtual tour
I returned to Caribou Highlands Lodge in the summer and it was just as lovely.
Walking through the front door of our Caribou Highlands Lodge three-level townhome, we were first greeted by a landing with a few steps going up to the main level and a few steps going down to the lower level. This little nook was the perfect place to keep our coats, boots, trekking poles, etc. – making it easy to grab and go in the morning before setting off on our MN state parks hikes.
Caribou Highlands Lodge’s townhome features a full kitchen, which is fully furnished with small appliances, dinnerware, utensils, glasses, etc.
Go up a few stairs to a full kitchen with counter bar and two stools where the room opens up to an dining area with a table and four chairs, vaulted ceiling with ceiling fan, a gas fireplace (some units feature wood fireplaces), a flat-screen TV, a comfy reading chair and an L-shaped pull-out sofa.
I enjoyed my winter evenings at Caribou Highlands Lodge in front of this fireplace.
Also loved that the gas fireplace came with a timer so that it would shut off automatically after a certain amount of time.
While we didn’t spend much time out on our balcony because it was February in Minnesota, we did visit Caribou Highlands Lodge during a mild week temperature-wise. So we did enjoy our view of the woods and the ski run where skiers would gracefully fly by. It would be so nice to visit in the summer or fall and heat up the grill overlooking the beautiful trees and mountains.
Caribou Highlands Lodge three-bedroom townhome loft floor virtual tour
We loved our cozy loft bedroom that overlooked the main floor with a skylight overhead. I’m a bit of a pillow and bed snob and Caribou Highlands Lodge’s bed was super comfy.
While our townhome came with three different bedroom options, we chose to sleep in the open loft overlooking the cozy fireplace below with a skylight overhead. Loved looking out at the stars as we drifted off to sleep and waking up to a beautiful blue sky with evergreen tree tops.
And how cute are these pillows? I really need this Going to the Woods is Going Home pillow! This bedroom also included a charming dresser and a closet. The bathroom off the loft bedroom featured a bathtub and a shower with amenities.
And I woke up to this view every morning! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best resort on the North Shore for sure!
Caribou Highlands Lodge three-bedroom townhome lower level virtual tour
Kids will love this set of bunk beds at the Caribou Highlands Lodge townhome.
Head back down the two short flights of stairs to the lower level and you’ll find another bathroom with a shower. One of the lower-level bedrooms in this townhome at Caribou Highlands Lodge featured a bunk-bed suite with a cool ladder on one end – kids would love this room! Although I must admit I thought about staying in this room.
Also loved an intriguing map on the wall, which included all the shipwrecks that Lake Superior had claimed over the past few centuries. The map also shows how massive Lake Superior is – the largest of the great lakes (350 miles x 160 miles). If you’re a diver, you can actually go scuba diving to explore many of these shipwrecks. Check out more of the best 11,842 lakes in Minnesota.
The third bedroom in the Caribou Highlands Lodge townhome, located on the lower level, is private with a variety of books on those shelves.
Why Caribou Highlands Lodge is one of the best North Shore MN resorts: Location, location, location!
Grand Portage State Park on the Canadian border features Minnesota’s tallest waterfall, High Falls, which has a 120-ft. drop into Pigeon River. High Falls at Grand Portage State Park in the summer.
While I have hiked several of the state parks along the North Shore prior to my visit to Caribou Highlands Lodge, I still had five MN state parks on my list left to hike as part of my Minnesota State Park Challenge and Minnesota frozen waterfalls series on the North Shore.
We captured this beautiful shot from the Lutsen Mountains Express Gondola a few falls ago. The gondola is open year-round, the ski lifts are seasonal (of course) as is the alpine slide (typically summer through early fall). Watch for a post coming soon about our winter Lutsen Mountains Express Gondola ride.
Caribou Highlands Lodge is centrally located to not only all eight of Minnesota’s North Shore state parks, but also close to Lutsen Mountains ski resort (the Midwest’s largest ski resort) and Lake Superior. Lutsen Mountains ski resort is a year-round resort where you can hike in the Superior National Forest, take the Express Summit Gondola up to the top with an incredible view from the Mystery Outlook observation deck.
A beautiful fall foliage view from the Mystery Outlook observation deck at Lutsen Mountains, which is only 1/4-mile from Caribou Highlands Lodge.
How far is Caribou Highlands Lodge from this Minnesota state park on the North Shore?
Cascade River State Park in Lutsen, Minn. is only 10 miles north of Caribou Highlands Lodge – one of the best MN state parks for hiking and trails leading to waterfalls. Cascade River State Park is super close to Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN.
Here’s a list of all the MN state parks on the North Shore along with their distance from Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, Minn (parks listed north to south). Without a doubt, we picked the best North Shore resort to explore the best MN state parks in the area.
Grand Portage State Park | Grand Portage, Minnesota (61 miles)
Judge C.R. Magney State Park | Grand Marais, Minnesota (35 miles)
Cascade River State Park | Lutsen, Minnesota (10 miles)
Temperance River State Park | Schroeder, Minnesota (11 miles)
George Crosby Manitou State Park | Silver Bay, Minnesota (27 miles)
Tettegouche State Park | Silver Bay, Minnesota (33 miles)
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park | Two Harbors, Minnesota (45 miles)
Gooseberry Falls State Park | Two Harbors, Minnesota (52 miles)
How far is Caribou Highlands Lodge from Lutsen Mountains ski resort?
Caribou Highlands Lodge is only 1/4-mile from the Lutsen Mountains ski resort.
If you’re planning a family skiing vacation in Lutsen, MN, Caribou Highlands Lodge is only a 1/4 mile from Lutsen Mountains ski resort. While you can certainly walk to the Lutsen Mountains ski resort, it’s probably more convenient and less of a hassle to take the Caribou Highlands Lodge’s shuttle. Parking is also available along the street.
How far is Caribou Highlands Lodge from Lake Superior?
Caribou Highlands Lodge is only 1.4 miles from Lake Superior.
You’ll find great views of Lake Superior just 10 miles from Caribou Highlands Lodge – across from the Cascade River State Park trailhead. There’s also an overlook here that you can drive up to and park.
The best places to get up close and personal with Lake Superior from Caribou Highlands Lodge is 10 miles north on Hwy 61 MN (right before mile marker 100) across from the Cascade River State Park trailhead parking area. And there’s also a pull-over area next to Lake Superior if you don’t want to cross the highway on foot.
Lake Superior during the winter at Temperance River State Park – located just 11 miles south of Caribou Highlands Lodge.
Another great place to see Lake Superior up close near Caribou Highlands Lodge is 11 miles south of Caribou State Park at the Temperance River State Park trailhead parking area. Safely walk across Hwy 61 MN to the bridge area for fabulous views from the road.
Then take the stairs down to the footbridge for more stunning views of Lake Superior. Turn around and face Hwy 61 MN for a beautiful view of the bridge and in the summer beautiful water cascading down a gorge on its way to Lake Superior. You can then walk over to another observation deck looking directly over Lake Superior. And a few more more steps down to the Temperance River State Park picnic area and rocky beach for breathtaking views.
Note: You’ll need microspikes for your winter snow hikes especially when chasing frozen waterfalls on the North Shore. We tried Crampons Ice Cleats for Hiking Boots and Shoes from Trazon for the first time – and we loved them! These microspikes are easy to put on and take off and were able to scale up and down some pretty icy spots.
No microspikes needed at Temperance River State Park in the summer.
So if you’re looking for the best centrally located North Shore hotel near the best MN state parks, Lutsen Mountains ski resort and Lake Superior, then choose Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, Minn.
Best place to eat on the North Shore of Minnesota: Moguls Grille & Tap Room
Before or after a day of skiing at Lutsen Mountains or hiking at the nearby MN state parks, enjoy fine dining in a casual atmosphere at Moguls Grille & Tap Room – an onsite restaurant at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN.
Moguls Grille & Tap Room is the best place to eat on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Conveniently located at Caribou Highlands Lodge (right downstairs from the lobby), this Lutsen, MN restaurant is less than one-half mile from the Lutsen Mountains ski lifts, alpine slide and the Summit Express Gondola.
Open in all seasons for lunch and dinner and weekend breakfasts, Moguls Grille & Tap Room is a ski-in-ski-out restaurant in the winter and is perfect for couples or families or takeout even if you’re not a guest of Caribou Highlands. Check out my full review of our delicious walleye dinner from Moguls Grille & Tap Room as well as their operating hours and executive order guidelines. While Odyssey Resorts and Caribou Highlands hosted us, opinions are always my own.
Health and Safety at Caribou Highlands Lodgeduring the pandemic
[Note that this was post was originally published March 2021.] During these times, health and safety are most important to me. I’ve been extremely cautious since March 2020 and haven’t traveled anywhere in the past year with the exception of day trips to Minnesota’s beautiful state parks. As a reflection of my values, I wanted to remain diligent in minimizing the risk of becoming exposed or exposing others to Covid-19. So it was a very thoughtful decision to stay at this townhome – and speaks to how comfortable I felt as a Caribou Highlands Lodge guest.
Is it safe to take a road trip and stay overnight in a hotel or resort? Several national media outlets have reported that experts believe there is an extremely low risk of Covid-19 exposure on road trips when traveling with members in the same household and staying in a hotel that follows proper safety protocols. As always, check CDC guidelines for the latest public health protocols.
At the time of our stay, Caribou Highlands Lodge offered remote no-contact checkin and checkout. If you needed to go to the reception area, the front lobby desk featured a protective plexiglass barrier and several hand-sanitizing stations.
From our experience, we were extremely impressed with Odyssey Resort’s Cleaning with Heart commitment at Caribou Highlands Lodge, a commitment that is in place at all their properties located on the North Shore in Minnesota.
Their Cleaning with Heart pledge follows all CDC and Minnesota Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines throughout the property. And our three-bedroom townhome was immaculate. Here are more of Caribou Highlands Lodge’s safety protocols to ensure a healthy and safe stay for all guests.
All Caribou Highlands Lodge employees and guests, per Minnesota’s executive order, are required to wear face masks inside all public buildings (except when eating at their on-property restaurant: Moguls Grille & Tap Room.)
Contactless remote checkin and checkout:Caribou Highlands Lodge offers a no-contact checkin and checkout process where you can find your arrival package right inside the main lobby.
Plentiful hand-sanitizer stations located throughout Caribou Highlands Lodge.
Public health signage throughout the Caribou Highlands Lodge property.
Keep 6 feet apart at all times.
Avoid touching and crowds.
Wash your hands constantly.
Wear your mask so our business can stay open.
Our townhome had its own external front door, minimizing interaction with other guests.
No daily housekeeping to minimize contact between staff and guests. Caribou Highlands Lodge staff will not enter occupied units during your stay unless there is an emergency. If you need something replenished, simply call the front desk (0 on the in-unit phone) between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Maintenance, when required for emergencies, will only enter your unit when you are not present.
Caribou Highlands Lodge’s onsite restaurant, Moguls Grille & Tap Room, pool, hot tub and fitness center all currently have reduced or restricted capacity per the Minnesota executive order and CDC guidelines. Please check Caribou Highlands Lodge’s website for the most up-to-date information.
In accordance to CDC recommendations and Minnesota’s executive order, guests and employees are required to wear face masks inside except when dining at Moguls Grille & Tap Room.
Special events and activities at Caribou Highlands Lodge at Lutsen Mountains
Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN offers the best activities for family vacations in Minnesota – and is also a great place to stay for solo travelers and couples. Here are just a few of the special events and activities you can expect at Caribou Highlands Lodge – fun for the entire family. Of course, some of these activities may be modified or suspended to accommodate Covid-19 social distancing guidelines and the Minnesota executive order. Check the Caribou Highlands Lodge website for the latest information.
Winter Village at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN
Caribou Highlands Winter Village features several fun family activities that you can enjoy day or night. Here’s a shot of the Adirondack chairs before the fire pit was lit. In the background, you can see the giant ladder ball game, which we played and failed miserably, but still fun.
With its close proximity to the Lutsen Mountain Ski Resort and all North Shore Minnesota state parks, Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best Northern Minnesota resort for a family vacation in the winter. One of the highlights is Winter Village set right outside the main lodge building. The magical Winter Village of Caribou Highlands Lodge features:
Hyggelig Stuga (hygge loosely translates to cozy and togetherness)
Covered outdoor ice skating rink
Snow bocce (aka snocce)
Snow sculpting
Giant ladder ball game
Outdoor fire lounges (wood and propane fire pits)
The weather dictates the Winter Village season so is open when the weather permits. And winter starts as early as October and lasts longer in Minnesota (sometimes well into April) – so it’s a long season for a fun family winter vacation.
Caribou Highlands Lodge’s Winter Village features an outdoor ice skating rink.
Fun things to do in the winter in Lutsen, MN: Grab-and-go snowman kits at Caribou Highland Lodge
Fun family winter activities at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN: Grab-and-go-snowman kit. Video source: Odyssey Resorts
And how fun is this grab-and-go-snowman kit at Caribou Highlands Lodge (and other Odyssey Resorts locations) – a great way to make memories on your family winter vacation in Minnesota!
Caribou Highlands Lodge offers fun summer activities at the best resort on the North Shore of Minnesota.
More fun things to do at or near Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN
Other fun activities and things to do at or near Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN (again, some of the group activities may be modified/suspended currently):
Snowshoe rentals
Complimentary s’more kits
Onsite fitness center
Indoor and outdoor pools
Board games and DVD movies
Woodlands spa services – massage or body treatments
Onsite gift shop and convenience store
Summer activity programming from guided canoe trips to summer kids’ camps
Superior National Golf at Lutsen, MN – a 27-hole golf course
And so many more fun things to do and explore in and near Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN.
Day trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota
How adorable is this bookstore? We arrived after hours, unfortunately, but still admired Drury Lane Books from afar. Will definitely need to return the next time I’m in Grand Marais.
After hiking at nearby Judge C.R. Magney State Park, we stopped in the nearby charming town of Grand Marais (on the way back to Caribou Highlands Lodge). I used to live on the East Coast and Grand Marais definitely has a New England / Cape Cod vibe going on.
We visited in February in the off-season so many places were closed. Drury Lane Books (pictured) was only closed because we arrived after hours. So I’m looking forward to returning in the summer and/or fall to explore this area and the North Shore more (need to see what those frozen waterfalls look like unfrozen).
Sometimes the best things are free like this sunset over Lake Superior and the Grand Marais Lighthouse.
One place that wasn’t closed was this beautiful sunset show over the Grand Marais Lighthouse and Lake Superior.
Another one of Odyssey Resorts’ finest lodging on the North Shore – East Bay Suites overlooking Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN.
While Caribou Highlands Lodge is right down the road from Grand Marais, you may prefer a North Shore resort experience overlooking Lake Superior. If so, then book your next Minnesota vacation at another one of Odyssey Resorts’ finest places to stay on the North Shore: East Bay Suites. Lake Superior, the Grand Marais Lighthouse and downtown Grand Marais with its cool boutiques and restaurants (including World Best Donuts – closed in winter unfortunately) are just steps away from East Bay Suites.
View of Lake Superior from East Bay Suites in Grand Marais, MN – one of the best hotels on the North Shore.
The best Northern Minnesota resorts on Lake Superior’s North Shore
Odyssey Resorts, who graciously hosted my husband and me at their Caribou Highlands Lodge property, also offers several other North Shore MN lodging accommodations including cabins, cottages and resort rooms and suites overlooking Lake Superior – from Duluth to Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Minnesota.
List of the Odyssey Resorts on the North Shore MN
Here’s a complete list of all the best North Shore MN lodging – cabins, cottages, hotels and resorts – from Odyssey Resorts. The only difficult thing about booking your next Minnesota family vacation is choosing your Odyssey. #ChooseYourOdyssey
Beacon Point on Lake Superior: Best North Shore hotel in Duluth, MN
We stayed in their one-bedroom penthouse suite with a rooftop balcony a few years ago (unsponsored stay while our son was a student at UMD in Duluth) and loved the views!
Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior: Best North Shore MN cottages in Two Harbors, MN
Breezy Point Cabins on Lake Superior: Best North Shore MN cabins in Two Harbors, MN
Grand Superior Lodge on Lake Superior: Best North Shore MN lodge, cabins and lake homes in Two Harbors, MN
East Bay Suites: Best North Shore MN suites on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN
Wherever you decide to stay on your next family vacation on the North Shore, MN, choose Odyssey Resorts for a lifetime of memories at the best resorts, cabins, cottages, condos and townhomes. We definitely enjoyed our stay at Caribou Highlands Lodge and I know you will too when you book your next solo, couples or family vacation at one of the best resorts in Minnesota and the North Shore.
Related Post: Moguls Grille & Tap Room at Caribou Highlands
Be sure to dine-in or take-out from Moguls Grille & Tap Room – the best restaurant in Lutsen, MN – conveniently located at Caribou Highlands Lodge on the North Shore. See my review of Moguls Grille and Tap Room.
Pin it for later: Best North Shore MN resorts: Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, Minn.
Twin Cities-based blogger sharing memorable emptynester, solo, family and girlfriend-getaway adventures, as well as my day hiking adventures (including all 66 Minnesota state parks), latest book reviews, and updates on my quest for the best adult mac and cheese.
Also two WIPs: historical fiction and psychological thriller
76 comments
Oh wow what a beautiful lodge to stay at! I haven’t been to the area before, but would love to go at some point and will definitely look into staying at this lodge.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best resort on the North Shore. Love that it is so close to all the beautiful MN state parks, hiking trails, Lake Superior and Lutsen Mountains! I know you would love the views!
What an absolutely lovely place to stay. We have family in MN, but never really explore the state. Now I really want to. I had no idea what secrets it held. And for me, it’s about Autumn and colours, although the rest of the family loves to ski.
Thank you! And so awesome to hear! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on the North Shore – their townhomes are large enough for extended families. And if you visit Lutsen Mountains in October, you may get the best of both worlds – autumn colors and snow for skiing.
Thank you! The North Shore of Minnesota is one of my most places in the world! And Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay near the state parks and Lutsen Mountains. Just a short road trip from the Twin Cities!
Thank you! Odyssey Resorts offers the best lodging options on Minnesota’s North Shore – lodges, cabins, cottages, condos, townhomes. We especially loved Caribou Highlands Lodge.
What a nice place to stay which looks like the perfect place to come back to after hiking for frozen waterfalls with the cozy fireplace! I’d love to sleep under the sky light and wake up to that beauty!
Caribou Highlands Lodge was the perfect place to stay during our Minnesota staycation on the north shore. It’s centrally located to all the area state parks and frozen waterfalls. Loved the fireplace and waking up under a blue sky with the loft’s skylight.
I’m DEFINITELY saving this for later as I’ve seen High Falls… but from the Canadian side! Last summer I was up in Thunder Bay and explored all around there – it would be so fab to see it from the Minnesota side too 🙂
Awesome! It was originally on my list to check out Thunder Bay since we were in the area. Will have to wait until borders open up so would love to see High Falls at Grand Portage State Park from the Canadian side.
The Caribou Highlands Lodge looks like such a beautiful and cozy place to stay. I would love the room with the skylight so I could see the stars. And I learned a new term in this post – snocce! Will have to give it a try one day.
Thank you! We loved our stay at the beautiful, cozy and spacious Caribou Highlands Lodge. Loved falling asleep under the skylight and waking up to a blue sky! Snocce was a new word for me too!
The Caribou Highlands Lodge looks absolutely amazing! I would definitely consider staying here! I love the fact that they have their own skating rink! My family would be ALL over that!! LOL
Caribou Highlands Lodge would be perfect for you and the family! The Winter Village offers so much fun things to do outside in the winter and they offer a lot of summer resort activities for kids and adults!
The Caribou Highlands Lodge sounds like the perfect place for a ski vacation in North Shore, MN. I love that there are dog-friendly rooms too- sometimes we can’t travel as much as we’d like to due to our pup, so this is a real bonus!
Caribou Highlands Lodge would be perfect for you and your furry family member! It’s such a dog-friendly resort and so close to the Lutsen Mountains ski resort – in fact, this lodge offers ski-in-ski-out units!
This resort looks beautiful and the three bedroom you stayed in would be perfect for a family! Looks like a beautiful area too even in the cold winter.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is beautiful as is the entire North Shore. Their three-bedroom townhomes are perfect for family vacations in Minnesota.
It looks incredible, this is the type of place we love to stay in,.lots of views from the balcony and a fireplace is a huge bonus!! Love the virtual tour. Bookmarked this for when we get there one day!!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is such a beautiful, cozy and spacious place to stay – perfect for the best vacation in northern Minnesota near Lake Superior and MN state parks.
Thank you so much! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the perfect place to stay on the North Shore of Minnesota – centrally located to all the great things to do in and near Lutsen, MN.
This really looks like a great lodge! I love the whole atmosphere of the place! Minnesota really has some beautiful places! Funny note, I have the post of “Graveyard of the Great Lakes” but mine is Lake Michigan.. Thanks for the great information and destination!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on Minnesota’s North Shore. Those Great Lakes have claimed a ship or two over the years. They behave more like oceans than lakes.
What a beautiful place to stay. Caribou Highlands Lodge seems to have it all. I always try to find accommodation with a fire in winter. I like that it’s central to the attractions too.
Thank you, Wendy! Caribou Highlands Lodge does have it all when it comes to the best resort on Minnesota’s North Shore! Love its central location to MN state parks near Lake Superior, waterfalls, hiking trails and Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort and Summit Express Gondola.
Caribou Lodge looks magical! Your photos are gorgeous, and there’s so much great info & tips beyond that lodge recommendation, that even someone like me who usually stays away from cold places would feel like a confident winter traveler.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is pretty magical especially with their Winter Village. I’m not a big fan of winter, but this is the best resort in Minnesota to embrace it!
Fireplaces, bunk beds, a dog (well I guess that does not come with the room 🙂 )… what is there not to like?! I would be delighted to visit, the area looks gorgeous and the Caribou Highlands Lodge looks perfect.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on the Minnesota North Shore. You would love this cozy yet spacious townhome set in Lutsen Mountains and Superior National Forest.
Thank you! We loved coming back to this warm and cozy townhome at Caribou Highlands Lodge after a day of hiking at the nearby beautiful MN state parks. We used the fireplace every night!
This looks like such a cozy place to stay! Looks like a great base to get out and explore the outdoors. The scenery is lovely. I’ll keep this in mind if we ever head out that way!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best resort on Minnesota’s North Shore – comfortable accommodations and centrally located to all the best MN state parks.
The North Shore looks amazing and I love that cozy fireplace! Have never heard of Caribou Highlands Lodge but I am definitely saving this for when we get up there! Thanks!
This does look the perfect place to stay in winter. Ski right in and fire up that lovely gas heater. A great opportunity for you and a lovely stay on top of it Karen. That’s all your hard work paying off.
Thanks so much, John! Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN is the best place to stay at one of my most favorite places in the world – Minnesota’s North Shore. We loved everything about our staycation especially the location as we were able to hike six state parks nearby.
This is a nice lodge on one of the most beautiful drives you can take. Being dog friendly is also a priority for us. We recommend driving the Minnesota North Shore for everyone because it’s outstanding.
I agree! The Minnesota North Shore is one of my most favorite places in the world – and love that it’s so close. And such a beautiful scenic drive to Caribou Highlands Lodge – the best resort in Lutsen, MN that’s also dog-friendly!
Caribou Highlands Lodge is so beautiful and centrally located to all the North Shore state parks in Minnesota and super close to Lutsen Mountains ski resort.
Caribou Highlands Lodge sounds amazing. It reminds me of the mini-vacation we took up to New Hampshire last month. Also, I did not realize there were mountains in Minnesota! I learned something new.
We do have some mountainous areas – not as tall as the White Mountains – but the ski resort is the largest and tallest in the Midwest. We loved our staycation getaway at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN. It was the perfect location to hike at all the North Shore state parks.
Awesome…that makes me so happy to hear! I know you would love Caribou Highlands Lodge…it is the best resort and best place to stay on Minnesota’s North Shore.
This looks like the perfect place to stay in such a beautiful place! I’d stay here in a heartbeat. I like that you can keep your skis outside the door. I love the decor, too. I need to head back to Minnesota soon!
Thank you and I hope you get the opportunity to visit soon. And I highly recommend Caribou Highlands Lodge – it’s the best resort on the North Shore in Minnesota.
Caribou Highlands Lodge looks so cozy! What a lovely place to stay! I love the idea of the ski in/ski out accommodation – how fun and convenient! Thanks for sharing this great review!
Thank you and my pleasure! Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, Minn. is super cozy and spacious. The ski-in, ski-out option is so convenient! My favorite place to stay on the North Shore.
Oh wow what a beautiful lodge to stay at! I haven’t been to the area before, but would love to go at some point and will definitely look into staying at this lodge.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best resort on the North Shore. Love that it is so close to all the beautiful MN state parks, hiking trails, Lake Superior and Lutsen Mountains! I know you would love the views!
What an absolutely lovely place to stay. We have family in MN, but never really explore the state. Now I really want to. I had no idea what secrets it held. And for me, it’s about Autumn and colours, although the rest of the family loves to ski.
Thank you! And so awesome to hear! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on the North Shore – their townhomes are large enough for extended families. And if you visit Lutsen Mountains in October, you may get the best of both worlds – autumn colors and snow for skiing.
These look so cozy! And my kids love anywhere that comes with bunk beds! 😆
Caribou Highlands Lodge was so cozy, yet spacious! Best place for family vacations in Minnesota…and your kids will love the bunk beds!
This is amazing! Everytime I’m in MN I get stuck in the twin cities so big motivation to get out and explore. Thanks!
Thank you! The North Shore of Minnesota is one of my most places in the world! And Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay near the state parks and Lutsen Mountains. Just a short road trip from the Twin Cities!
I loved your post about the frozen waterfalls. It is fab to there there are so many cozy places to stay when you want to go and visit them. 🙂
Minnesota in winter is just so inviting!!
Thank you so much! I found some of the best frozen waterfalls near Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN. Our stay was perfect!
So many great options! I would definitely love to visit in any of these resorts!
Thank you! Odyssey Resorts offers the best lodging options on Minnesota’s North Shore – lodges, cabins, cottages, condos, townhomes. We especially loved Caribou Highlands Lodge.
What a nice place to stay which looks like the perfect place to come back to after hiking for frozen waterfalls with the cozy fireplace! I’d love to sleep under the sky light and wake up to that beauty!
Caribou Highlands Lodge was the perfect place to stay during our Minnesota staycation on the north shore. It’s centrally located to all the area state parks and frozen waterfalls. Loved the fireplace and waking up under a blue sky with the loft’s skylight.
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful place to stay! This whole experience looks incredible – and the photos are lovely!
Thank you so much! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best resort to stay at on the North Shore of Minnesota.
I’m DEFINITELY saving this for later as I’ve seen High Falls… but from the Canadian side! Last summer I was up in Thunder Bay and explored all around there – it would be so fab to see it from the Minnesota side too 🙂
Awesome! It was originally on my list to check out Thunder Bay since we were in the area. Will have to wait until borders open up so would love to see High Falls at Grand Portage State Park from the Canadian side.
The Caribou Highlands Lodge looks like such a beautiful and cozy place to stay. I would love the room with the skylight so I could see the stars. And I learned a new term in this post – snocce! Will have to give it a try one day.
Thank you! We loved our stay at the beautiful, cozy and spacious Caribou Highlands Lodge. Loved falling asleep under the skylight and waking up to a blue sky! Snocce was a new word for me too!
The Caribou Highlands Lodge looks absolutely amazing! I would definitely consider staying here! I love the fact that they have their own skating rink! My family would be ALL over that!! LOL
Caribou Highlands Lodge would be perfect for you and the family! The Winter Village offers so much fun things to do outside in the winter and they offer a lot of summer resort activities for kids and adults!
The Caribou Highlands Lodge sounds like the perfect place for a ski vacation in North Shore, MN. I love that there are dog-friendly rooms too- sometimes we can’t travel as much as we’d like to due to our pup, so this is a real bonus!
Caribou Highlands Lodge would be perfect for you and your furry family member! It’s such a dog-friendly resort and so close to the Lutsen Mountains ski resort – in fact, this lodge offers ski-in-ski-out units!
This resort looks beautiful and the three bedroom you stayed in would be perfect for a family! Looks like a beautiful area too even in the cold winter.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is beautiful as is the entire North Shore. Their three-bedroom townhomes are perfect for family vacations in Minnesota.
It looks incredible, this is the type of place we love to stay in,.lots of views from the balcony and a fireplace is a huge bonus!! Love the virtual tour. Bookmarked this for when we get there one day!!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is such a beautiful, cozy and spacious place to stay – perfect for the best vacation in northern Minnesota near Lake Superior and MN state parks.
What a gorgeous place to visit! I would love to stay there at the Caribou Highlands Lodge! I love that rustic style so much!
Thank you so much! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the perfect place to stay on the North Shore of Minnesota – centrally located to all the great things to do in and near Lutsen, MN.
This really looks like a great lodge! I love the whole atmosphere of the place! Minnesota really has some beautiful places! Funny note, I have the post of “Graveyard of the Great Lakes” but mine is Lake Michigan.. Thanks for the great information and destination!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on Minnesota’s North Shore. Those Great Lakes have claimed a ship or two over the years. They behave more like oceans than lakes.
What a beautiful place to stay. Caribou Highlands Lodge seems to have it all. I always try to find accommodation with a fire in winter. I like that it’s central to the attractions too.
Thank you, Wendy! Caribou Highlands Lodge does have it all when it comes to the best resort on Minnesota’s North Shore! Love its central location to MN state parks near Lake Superior, waterfalls, hiking trails and Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort and Summit Express Gondola.
Caribou Lodge looks magical! Your photos are gorgeous, and there’s so much great info & tips beyond that lodge recommendation, that even someone like me who usually stays away from cold places would feel like a confident winter traveler.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is pretty magical especially with their Winter Village. I’m not a big fan of winter, but this is the best resort in Minnesota to embrace it!
Fireplaces, bunk beds, a dog (well I guess that does not come with the room 🙂 )… what is there not to like?! I would be delighted to visit, the area looks gorgeous and the Caribou Highlands Lodge looks perfect.
Thanks and I agree! Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN is the perfect resort for families, couples, solo travelers and dogs!
Great resort on the Minnesota north shore. I’m all about cabins, and the outdoor mountain theme.
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on the Minnesota North Shore. You would love this cozy yet spacious townhome set in Lutsen Mountains and Superior National Forest.
This place looks super cosy with all the wooden interior and the fireplace!
Thank you! We loved coming back to this warm and cozy townhome at Caribou Highlands Lodge after a day of hiking at the nearby beautiful MN state parks. We used the fireplace every night!
This looks like such a cozy place to stay! Looks like a great base to get out and explore the outdoors. The scenery is lovely. I’ll keep this in mind if we ever head out that way!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best resort on Minnesota’s North Shore – comfortable accommodations and centrally located to all the best MN state parks.
This lodge looks so cozy! I will definitely need to check it out!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is cozy yet spacious…highly recommend it as the best resort in Lutsen, MN.
The North Shore looks amazing and I love that cozy fireplace! Have never heard of Caribou Highlands Lodge but I am definitely saving this for when we get up there! Thanks!
Thank you! Caribou Highlands Lodge is pretty amazing and the best place to stay on Minnesota’s scenic North Shore and Lutsen Mountains.
This looks like a great accommodation! I am all about glamping too!
Thanks! Caribou Highlands Lodge offers the best accommodations on the North Shore of Minnesota.
Looks like a great spot to relax and unplug!
Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to relax and unplug on Minnesota’s North Shore.
Oh wow! What a great post! You put much work on it. Love the pictures and recommendations. Thank you for sharing this info, very useful!
Thank you so much! Love sharing our Caribou Highlands Lodge experience – it truly is the best place to stay on the North Shore!
This does look the perfect place to stay in winter. Ski right in and fire up that lovely gas heater. A great opportunity for you and a lovely stay on top of it Karen. That’s all your hard work paying off.
Thanks so much, John! Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN is the best place to stay at one of my most favorite places in the world – Minnesota’s North Shore. We loved everything about our staycation especially the location as we were able to hike six state parks nearby.
This is a nice lodge on one of the most beautiful drives you can take. Being dog friendly is also a priority for us. We recommend driving the Minnesota North Shore for everyone because it’s outstanding.
I agree! The Minnesota North Shore is one of my most favorite places in the world – and love that it’s so close. And such a beautiful scenic drive to Caribou Highlands Lodge – the best resort in Lutsen, MN that’s also dog-friendly!
What a beautiful place to stay! And so much to do in the area.
Caribou Highlands Lodge is so beautiful and centrally located to all the North Shore state parks in Minnesota and super close to Lutsen Mountains ski resort.
Caribou Highlands Lodge sounds amazing. It reminds me of the mini-vacation we took up to New Hampshire last month. Also, I did not realize there were mountains in Minnesota! I learned something new.
We do have some mountainous areas – not as tall as the White Mountains – but the ski resort is the largest and tallest in the Midwest. We loved our staycation getaway at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN. It was the perfect location to hike at all the North Shore state parks.
Your blog makes me want to visit Minnesota so bad! Haha. Caribou Highlands Lodge looks like an awesome place to stay.
Awesome…that makes me so happy to hear! I know you would love Caribou Highlands Lodge…it is the best resort and best place to stay on Minnesota’s North Shore.
I love that fireplace and all that wood. Definitely looks like a great place to snuggle up in the winter!
Thanks! Yes, Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay in the winter or any season!
What an amazing place to visit! I could spend a month there! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thank you so much! We loved our stay at Caribou Highlands Lodge!
This looks like the perfect place to stay in such a beautiful place! I’d stay here in a heartbeat. I like that you can keep your skis outside the door. I love the decor, too. I need to head back to Minnesota soon!
Thank you and I hope you get the opportunity to visit soon. And I highly recommend Caribou Highlands Lodge – it’s the best resort on the North Shore in Minnesota.
Caribou Highlands Lodge looks like an amazing place to stay. It looks so cozy. I could definitely see my family staying here.
Thank you so much! Caribou Highlands Lodge is the best place to stay on the North Shore in Minnesota. It’s perfect for families!
Caribou Highlands Lodge looks so cozy! What a lovely place to stay! I love the idea of the ski in/ski out accommodation – how fun and convenient! Thanks for sharing this great review!
Thank you and my pleasure! Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, Minn. is super cozy and spacious. The ski-in, ski-out option is so convenient! My favorite place to stay on the North Shore.
Caribou Highlands Lodge looks charming. I love that it is dog-friendly!!
Yes! Caribou Highlands Lodge is a perfect place to stay on the North Shore in Minnesota. So awesome it’s dog-friendly and very charming and cozy.