I Wandered Off-The-Beaten-Path And Discovered This Adorable Nature Center And Museum In Minnesota

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.

Today, it's a collection of historical buildings that recount the natural and human history of the Gunflint Trail.

In the main building, which houses the museum, you'll find displays depicting the area's ecosystems.

I really enjoyed the wall-sized map of this part of the state, as well as the historic photographs.

You'll find plenty of comfortable places to sit while you peruse the fascinating books and archival materials at the museum.

Another particularly interesting section of the museum is the building that houses its watercraft collection.

You'll find historic canoes and outboard motors, as well as the taxidermied state record walleye, which was caught on Saganaga.

In the nature center building, I was impressed by all the hands-on, interactive exhibits.

Children would probably have twice as much fun as I did - and I had a lot.

When I visited, the center had erected a floating nest to encourage loons to take up residence in the bay.

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!