I Wandered Off-The-Beaten-Path And Discovered This Adorable Nature Center And Museum In Minnesota
By Trent Jonas|Published May 27, 2024
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, few places hold more allure for me than the incredible Gunflint Trail, which leads from the charming Lake Superior town of Grand Marais deep into the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Despite my many times traveling the Gunflint – in all seasons – I had never really noticed the wooden sign near trail’s end for Chik-Wauk Museum in Nature Center. Recently, though, upon seeing the sign, I took a turn off the Gunflint Trail and discovered for myself this wonderful and fascinating hidden gem nature center in Minnesota.
About 55 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais (just a handful of miles from the trail's end), you'll see a sign for Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
I've driven past this sign many times on my trips up and Gunflint and, until just recently, never made the stop. And man, do I wish that I'd discovered this place sooner!
Chik-Wauk was a former fishing lodge on Saganaga Lake on the edge of both the Boundary Waters and the Canadian border.
And, fortunately, a pair had risen to the occasion and were tending a nestful of eggs.
My favorite part of Chik-Wauk, though, had to be the network of trails, which were alive with the late-spring activity of all manner of birds, insects, and other animals.
Next time you head up the Gunflint Trail, don’t forget to make a stop at this hidden gem nature center in Minnesota. For Chik-Wauk’s seasonal hours and more information about this amazing facility, visit the museum’s website. Check out Chik-Wauk on Facebook page for events, updates, and to see who’s been showing up on the nature center’s trail cams. Services (including cell reception) are limited on the Gunflint, so make sure you pack all the road trip essentials you’ll need and top off the tank in Grand Marais. I usually grab a smoothie bowl from Shook and download the trail maps I want to use before I head up, as well.
Have you ever visited Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center on the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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