Many parents understand the frustrating feeling when the sun is shining, the skies are blue, and their kids are glued to their screens instead of immersing in the outdoors. All too often, getting them outside can feel a bit like a high-stakes negotiation!

Gunflint Lodge knows first-hand that when you bring kids to a place where they can run, explore, and create their own adventures, kids actually lose interest in their phones (well, maybe just to record the awesome adventures).

On average, a typical American kid or teenager spends about 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen (according to the AACAP). Spending too much time on a screen can have negative effects on kids, such as irregular sleep, behavioral problems, less time for play, and more. Meanwhile, studies have shown that time outdoors builds confidence, promotes creativity and imagination, reduces stress and fatigue, and leads to other positive behaviors. In general, kids who spend time in nature are happier, calmer, and more creative.

The challenge is breaking the weekly routine and making a change. And since you’re reading this blog, that tells us you know that outdoor time truly matters.

That’s where booking an epic summer vacation changes everything.

Start With Water

At check-in, your kids will be begging to go to the lake before getting settled in, as there is something irresistible about playing in the fresh, clear water. Once you’re all settled in, bring them down to the lake, where within minutes they’ll throw their shoes off to the side and plunge in.

While playing in the water is fun, we also have docks that they can jump off of or try their hand at fishing. We also make sure there are plenty of paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes to explore the parts of the lake and experience nature, such as watching turtles sun themselves on the logs.

Give Them an Adventure

Kids crave an actual adventure more than simply “going for a walk.” The difference can be found in how you frame that walk or hike as an adventure. The Northwoods practically does that for you.

As you hike through the Superior National Forest, make it a quest to see how many moose the kids can spot. A paddle into the Boundary Waters is actually a wilderness exploration through an area that looks exactly like it did 500 years ago. And the Towering Pines Canopy Tour will have your kids flying through the treetops 50 feet above the forest floor on Minnesota’s first zip line.

Our guided naturalist programs turn every trail walk into a science expedition. Kids learn to identify animal tracks, understand forest ecology, and build campfires the way the voyageurs did. They come back to the cabin a little dirty, exhausted, and absolutely buzzing with stories to tell.

Make It a Family Tradition

The best part of getting the kids outside and exploring is seeing the smiles on their faces that will have you wanting to come back again. Families who come back to Gunflint Lodge year after year have told us that it’s their kids who ask to come back. They remember the fish they caught, the loon they heard at sunset, and the night they saw the northern lights from the cabin deck or a star-filled sky unlike anything they can see in town.

Those memories come from spending time on the Gunflint Trail, which is the polar opposite of virtual reality experienced through a screen.

Many of our guest families have been coming here for multiple generations; grandparents who first visited in the 1970s now bring their grandchildren. The lake is the same. The sound of loons remains unchanged. The magic gets better with every generation added.

Take a peek at our cabins to find the perfect home base for your family’s first (or fiftieth) Northwoods summer.

Practical Tips for Unplugging

Getting started doesn’t require a wilderness survival course. Here are a few things that work:

• Set the expectation before you arrive. Let kids know that this is an adventure trip; screens take a back seat. (Cell service is limited on the Gunflint Trail anyway, which makes this easier than you think.)
• Let them choose the activity. Fishing, zip lining, kayaking, hiking, and swimming; when kids have a say, they buy in.
• Start small. A day trip into the Boundary Waters with a guide is the perfect introduction for families who have never been.
• End with a reward. A shore lunch of freshly caught fish cooked over a fire on a quiet lakeshore is something no chain restaurant, and no screen, can replicate.
• Don’t fill every minute. Some of the best outdoor moments happen when kids are left to explore on their own, skipping rocks, building stick forts, and watching dragonflies.

Best Northwoods Activities by Age

One of the best things about a Gunflint Lodge vacation is that there are activities for every age, from toddlers discovering their first tadpole to teenagers who think they’re too cool for a family trip (until they’re not).

Little Explorers (Ages 2–6)

The youngest adventurers are often the easiest to get outside, as everything is new and fascinating. Bring them down to the beach and let them splash in the shallow water, hunt for rocks and pinecones along the shore, or watch for birds from the cabin deck. Our naturalist programs include activities designed for young children, and the simple act of sitting on the dock watching minnows can keep a preschooler entertained for a surprisingly long time. The key at this age is letting them lead, follow their curiosity, and you’ll be amazed at what they discover.

Junior Adventurers (Ages 7–12)

This is the sweet spot for a Northwoods trip. Kids in this age range can be old enough to paddle a canoe, bait their own hook (if they’re up for it), and hike a real trail alongside you, and they’re young enough to still think it’s all incredibly cool. This is the age to take them fishing off the dock for their first walleye or sign your family up for a guided Boundary Waters day trip where you’ll learn to portage a canoe and cook lunch over a fire.
For families who want a taste of the Boundary Waters without committing to a full wilderness trip, our Introduction to the BWCA Adventure Camp is perfect. Kids and parents learn the basics together with an experienced guide, and everyone comes home with a story.

Teens (Ages 13–18)

Teenagers can be the toughest audience while often being the most rewarding. In many instances, they’re the ones who benefit the most from time unplugged. The trick is giving them experiences that feel genuinely exciting, not like a parent-mandated nature walk.
That’s where the zip line canopy tour is a hit with teens; there’s nothing like flying between 200-year-old white pines to make you forget about TikTok. Our multi-day Boundary Waters canoe trips offer the kind of real challenge and independence that teens crave. Fishing with a guide to catch a monster fish, kayaking Gunflint Lake, and exploring the boreal forest is the kind of adventure that will have them wanting to soak in the fresh air and enjoy being in the moment.
On trips like this, parents discover that once the phone has no signal and the lake is right there, even the most screen-connected teenager starts to relax. Give it 24 hours. By the second sunset, they’ll be the ones asking to stay outside longer.

This Summer, Choose the Lake Over the Screen

Book your cabin for a long weekend at Gunflint Lodge to remind your kids and yourself what it feels like to be unplugged, unhurried, and fully present in a place where nature sets the pace.

A century’s worth of families have found it here. Your family can too.

Plan your family’s Northwoods adventure today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gunflint Lodge a good vacation for families with young children?

Absolutely. Gunflint Lodge has been welcoming families with children of all ages for 100 years. Our lakeside cabins accommodate families of every size, and activities range from sandy beach play and dock fishing to guided naturalist programs designed for young children. The pace of a Northwoods vacation is naturally kid-friendly.

Do kids need outdoor experience to enjoy a trip to Gunflint Lodge?

Not at all. Many of our guests are families visiting the Northwoods for the first time. Our guided experiences, including the Introduction to the BWCA Adventure Camp and guided Boundary Waters day trips, are specifically designed for beginners. Our naturalist staff is experienced at working with kids of all ages and skill levels, and our team can help you plan activities that match your family’s comfort level.

Is there cell service and WiFi at Gunflint Lodge?

WiFi is available at the lodge and in all cabins. Cell service on the Gunflint Trail is limited to AT&T subscribers near the lodge property. For families looking to unplug, this makes the transition to screen-free time much easier. We recommend enabling WiFi calling on your phone before you arrive if you don’t have AT&T as your mobile carrier. If you need to keep in contact while you’re away, reliable high-speed internet is available in your cabin.