Summer

The Lutsen-Tofte area is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic sections of the Superior Hiking Trail. This 205-mile footpath follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior from Two Harbors to the Canadian border, passing through numerous state parks and featuring access every 5-10 miles along the shore.

The Superior Hiking Trail has been dubbed the "Appalachian Trail of the Midwest" by the Chicago Tribune and was listed on Backpacker Magazine’s “10 Prime Trails That Leave All Others in the Dust.”

For those new to the area, new to hiking, or who simply enjoy the company of others, Bluefin Bay offers guided hiking excursions. Our complimentary shuttle service brings guests to and from area trailheads. Favorite hikes include Carlton Peak and Oberg Mountain. Pick up an area trail map at Guest Services and hit the trail.

Road and mountain bike rentals are included as part of your stay at Bluefin Bay and the area offers trails for both that meet all skill and ambition levels. From a gentle ride along the Gitchi-Gami paved trail, to the challenging single-track at Britton Peak, to the rugged back-roads and trails inland of Tofte, everyone is guaranteed to find biking to meet their abilities and desires.

Lake Superior offers one of the most incredible sea kayaking experiences available between the two coasts. Bluefin Bay offers guided sea kayaking excursions three to four times per day throughout the summer. Our expert and certified guides will provide you with all of the instruction and equipment you need. When the wind starts to blow and the lake awakes, as can happen so often, our guides will take you for a paddle on one of many gorgeous inland lakes. Kayakers of all skill levels are welcome.

Set sail aboard the Avanti, a 42-foot Beneteau First performance yacht, and view the beauty of the shoreline from a unique perspective - the water! Our expert sea captain can show you the basics of sailing or simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Bluefin Bay is the only resort on the North Shore to offer Lake Superior sailboat excursions. Advanced reservations encouraged. Rates are $49 for adults and $39 for children. Bluefin Bay guests receive a 10% discount. Check with Guest Services or view the Calendar of Events for our summer sailing schedule.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), named one of National Geographic’s “50 Destinations of a Lifetime”, truly deserves its reputation as one of the top wilderness destinations in the country. Upwards of 1.3 million acres of federally designated and protected land is home to over 1,200 canoe routes, 15 hiking trails, and more than 2,000 designated campsites.

Only 25 miles from Bluefin Bay, guests can access this pristine wilderness via the Sawbill Lake entrance point. Sawbill Outfitters provides full service canoe outfitting, allowing guests to rent all equipment necessary for their excursion right at the access point. One of the most popular options for a BWCA daytrip is the Kelso loop, which allows for the wilderness experience of a weeklong trip all in a single day.

Bluefin Bay guests have the unique opportunity to experience 4 hour Lake Superior Charter Fishing excursion with expert Captain Darren Peck aboard Tofte Charters. If you would like a longer trip, Tofte Charters offers half and full day trips. Watch the Sawtooth Mountain range and the Superior National Forest slide slowly by as you troll along the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior. King salmon, coho salmon, steelhead and lake trout inhabit the local waters and all make for fine dining after the trip. Fishing is also available on a variety of inland lakes in the area. Ask Guest Services for more information.

Located just seven miles from Superior National Golf Course, Bluefin Bay is the perfect place to stay on your golf getaway.  Superior National, offering 27 unique holes, was ranked as the #1 public golf course in Minnesota by Golf Digest Magazine. Being tucked into the beautiful north woods and overlooking Lake Superior only further enhance this already amazingly designed course. Bluefin Bay offers Golf Stay & Play Packages for the entire season. Check our Specials Page for the best deals.

Our onsite tennis court is available for play as long as light permits. We also offer complementary tennis rackets and balls available for guest use.

Guests also have an opportunity to join our expert certified tennis instructor for Adult Group Tennis Lessons during summer months.

Join us every Friday evening, 5-8pm on the beach for a delicious summer BBQ put on by the Bluefin Grille. Menu includes, turkey and wild rice sausage, chicken breasts, burgers, portabella caps, homemade potato salad & coleslaw, baked beans, fresh fruit, all necessary fixings, homemade lemonade. Price is $11 for adults and $6 for children 12 or younger. After you eat, stick around and enjoy our beach campfire & complementary s’mores for dessert.

Join a naturalist from the United States Forest Service and learn about North Shore history, its animal inhabitants, and its native flora and fauna. Programs are offered daily around the area and are free to the public. The topics range from moose and wolves, to voyagers and lumberjacks. Check our Calendar of Events for the summer schedule.

We are thrilled to partner with the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center to bring our guests unparalleled opportunities to experience the wilder side of the North Shore. Located in nearby Finland, MN, Wolf Ridge is a nationally recognized leader in environmental education and the nation’s first accredited environmental learning center. Each year, more than 15,000 children take part in Wolf Ridge’s life changing Northwoods experiences.

Wolf Ridge’s naturalists bring guests an exciting sequence of programs inspired by Bluefin Bay area. Some of them include a hike to a local beaver site, two-hour introduction to the changing terrain of Temperance River or half-day rock climbing trip to Wolf Ridge.

Whether you’re in search of some time away from the kids or choose to participate in the crafts right alongside them, our kid’s activities program deliver excitement and entertainment for your children during any season. Although craft activities will vary and often change with the seasons, some favorites include painting Lake Superior rocks, block printing, and building birdhouses. When weather permits, kid’s crafts will be held outside by the lake or playground.

Join us on the Bluefin Bay beach, just feet from Lake Superior, for an evening campfire with s’mores. Cozy up next to the campfire and gaze out onto the seemingly endless beauty of the lake. You can even start a campfire song or story if you so choose. This is a great family activity and a great way to meet other Bluefin Bay guests. Complimentary s’mores packets are available at Guest Services.