What Bearskin Lodge does

Bearskin Lodge is a family-owned wilderness resort and outfitter located 26 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, Minnesota, situated on East Bearskin Lake at BWCA entry point #64. The property offers 11 individually named cabin rentals and 4 lodge townhouse suites, with nightly rates ranging from $189 to $621 depending on season and unit. The resort also operates the adjacent East Bearskin Lake Campground (32 campsites plus 4 camper cabins) under contract with the US Forest Service from May through November. Bearskin maintains over 77 kilometers of professionally groomed cross-country ski trails as part of the shared Central Gunflint Trail Ski System with Golden Eagle Lodge, groomed using Pisten Bully and Tidd Tech G2 equipment, with 1.5 km of lighted night skiing trails.

The company's product surface extends beyond lodging to include ski and snowshoe rentals ($35-$50/day), boat and watercraft rentals (canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats, fishing boats), Bearskin Wilderness Outfitters for BWCA trip provisioning, remote ski-in winter camping cabins, and a complimentary Summer Family Activity Program. Revenue derives from six streams: primary cabin/lodge rentals (seasonal subscription-style pricing), equipment rentals, campground fees, ski-in cabin rentals, and retail/food services. Distribution is fully direct-to-consumer through the company's Rezstream booking system, phone reservations, and email, with campground bookings through Recreation.gov per federal requirements.

The business has operated continuously since 1925, originally established as Camp Jackson by mail carrier Harley Jackson. It passed through A.J. Allen's ownership in the 1930s, Frank Rizzo, then Barb and Dave Tuttle in 1973 (who built the ski trail infrastructure and rebuilt the main lodge in 1980), and was acquired by the McCloughan family in 2007. The McCloughans operate all three generations on-site daily. The customer base consists of wilderness retreat seekers, outdoor adventure enthusiasts, cross-country skiers, families with children, couples, and budget campers, with multi-generational repeat guest traditions spanning four generations in some families.

Name

Bearskin Lodge

Legal name

Bearskin Lodge and Resort

Website

https://bearskin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bearskin Lodge is a family-owned wilderness resort on Minnesota's Gunflint Trail operating since 1925, offering 11 cabins, 4 lodge suites, a USFS campground, and 77+ km of groomed cross-country ski trails at BWCA entry point #64 for outdoor recreation and wilderness hospitality guests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wilderness Resort and Lodge Hospitality

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid) (THAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Mountain & Ski Homes (THAMAAAG)

Keywords

• Wilderness resort lodging
• Boundary waters outfitter
• Cross-country ski trails
• Cabin and campsite rentals
• Northwoods vacation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Marais

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ski-in Winter Cabin Rentals: Remote winter camping cabins accessed by ski/snowshoe. $130/night includes ski passes. Basic bunk accommodations with woodstove, approximately 1 mile from main lodge.
2. Cabin and Lodge Rentals: The primary revenue stream. Bearskin offers 11 cabins and 4 lodges with seasonal pricing (Value Season, Mid Season, Peak Season, Winter Season, Holiday Season). Rates range from $189/night (White Pine Cabin 8, Value Season) to $621/night (Larch Cabin 6, Peak Season). Weekly rates also available.
3. Boat and Watercraft Rentals: Boat rentals including pontoon boats ($285/day), fishing boats ($110/day), angler's boats ($185/day), canoes ($30-$60/day), and kayaks ($40-$50/day). Available mid-May through late October.
4. Ski and Snowshoe Rentals: Complete ski set rentals at $35/day or $50/2 days; snowshoe rentals at $18/day. Includes boots, skis, poles. Day skier access to Central Gunflint Trail System.
5. Campground Fees: East Bearskin Lake Campground operated for US Forest Service from May 1 - November 1. Campsites $24/night; camper cabins $86/night. 32 campsites plus 4 camper cabins.
6. Retail and Food Services: Gift shop offering fishing tackle, outdoor clothing, Bearskin souvenirs, Northwoods gifts, basic groceries. Take & Bake pizzas, ice cream sandwiches, fresh-baked pies. Beverages including beer and wine.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bearskin Lodge operates a year-round wilderness resort on Minnesota's Gunflint Trail, renting 11 cabins and 4 lodge townhouse suites on East Bearskin Lake adjacent to the BWCA Wilderness. The resort also operates a US Forest Service campground, rents boats, canoes, kayaks, skis and snowshoes, offers BWCA canoe trip outfitting, and maintains 77+ km of groomed cross-country ski trails shared with Golden Eagle Lodge.

Product overview

Bearskin Lodge is a family-owned wilderness resort on Minnesota's Gunflint Trail offering lodging, outdoor recreation, and outfitting services. The core product consists of 11 cabin rentals (ranging from intimate 2-bedroom historic log cabins to spacious 3-bedroom family cabins) and 4 lodge townhouse suites, all featuring private docks on East Bearskin Lake and access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Supporting products include ski and snowshoe rentals (featuring Atomic Skin-skis), diverse boat rentals (pontoons, fishing boats, canoes, kayaks), Bearskin Outfitters for BWCA trip provisioning, Ski-in Winter Camping Cabins for remote wilderness experiences, and the Central Gunflint Trail Ski System with 77+ km of groomed trails. The resort also operates the adjacent East Bearskin Lake Campground (US Forest Service) with 32 campsites and 4 camper cabins, and offers a complimentary Summer Family Activity Program for guests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bearskin Wilderness Outfitters: Complete or partial outfitting for canoe trips along the Gunflint Trail and eastern BWCA area, offering guided wilderness travel planning and equipment services.

Products and services

• Cabin Rentals Eleven distinct cabin rentals ranging from intimate 2-bedroom historic log cabins to spacious 3-bedroom family cabins, all featuring private docks, kitchens, and proximity to East Bearskin Lake and the BWCA wilderness. Seasonal rate tiers from $189 to $621 per night.
• Lodge Townhouse Suites Four two-story, three-bedroom lodge townhouse suites attached to the Main Lodge, each featuring private decks, gas fireplaces, and easy access to resort amenities including sauna and hot tub.
• East Bearskin Lake Campground US Forest Service campground with 32 tent/RV campsites at $24/night and 4 camper cabins at $86/night, providing vehicle-accessible access to BWCA entry point #64 with deep-water boat launch, vault toilets, and solar-powered drinking water.
• Ski and Snowshoe Rentals Cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment rentals featuring Atomic Skin-skis, available for daily or multi-day rental ($35/day complete set, $50/2 days; snowshoes $18/day) for guests and day-skiers on the Central Gunflint Trail System.
• Boat Rentals Diverse watercraft rentals including pontoon boats ($285/day), angler's boats with fishfinders and trolling motors ($185/day), V-hull motorboats ($110/day), aluminum and Kevlar canoes ($30-$60/day), and solo and tandem kayaks ($25-$50/day).
• Bearskin Wilderness Outfitters Complete and partial outfitting services for canoe trips along the Gunflint Trail and eastern BWCA area, providing route planning, food and gear provisioning for wilderness travelers.
• Ski-in Winter Camping Cabins Remote winter wilderness cabins accessed by ski or snowshoe, featuring bunk beds, woodstoves, and proximity to Superior National Forest trails. $130/night includes Central Gunflint Ski Passes.
• Central Gunflint Trail Ski System Day Passes Day, multi-day, and season ski passes for the Central Gunflint Trail Ski System with over 77 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails through Superior National Forest, featuring both classic and skate skiing and 1.5 km of lighted night skiing trails.
• Summer Family Activity Program Complimentary nature-based activity program for resort guests running mid-June through Labor Day, featuring creative classes, canoe trips, wildlife identification, outdoor skills, and arts and crafts for all age groups.
• Fishing Guide Referrals Referral coordination to four local fishing guides for guided trips on Gunflint Trail lakes, providing guests access to experienced local fishing knowledge.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77+ km of groomed cross-country ski trails maintained year-round
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBearskin Lodge operates the East Bearskin Lake Campground on behalf of the US Forest Service from May 1 through November 1. The campground is a National Forest Service facility located near the resort. Bearskin handles day-to-day operations, maintenance, and guest services for the 32 campsites.
• Golden Eagle LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of the Central Gunflint Trail Ski System. Both resorts share trail maintenance responsibilities and sell ski passes for the unified trail network. Both are skier-owned and focused on silent sports. Bearskin's section groomed with Pisten Bully and Tidd Tech G2.
• Christianson Guide ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFishing guide service recommended by Bearskin Lodge. Cory Christianson operates out of the local area with family. Contact: 218-388-0315, [email protected].
• Roger CampbellminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent fishing guide known as 'The Fishing Junkie.' Guides on Lake Saganaga during May-October, Florida during winter. Contact: 218-388-0628.
• Seagull Creek GuidesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-owned fishing guide business on the Gunflint Trail. Previously operated as in-house guide at Bearskin. Contact: 800-531-5510.
• Little Vince Eckroot Guide ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal guide service operating mid-Gunflint Trail. Vince grew up on the trail and knows unusual fishing spots. Contact: 218-388-9142, [email protected].

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Golden Eagle Lodge: Direct partner and peer located on the Gunflint Trail, jointly operating the Central Gunflint Trail Ski System with Bearskin. Offers a comparable remote cabin/lodge wilderness experience at a similar price point and shares trail maintenance and ski pass revenue.
• Gunflint Lodge: Direct competitor on Minnesota's Gunflint Trail offering lakeside cabin rentals, guided BWCA trips, boat rentals, and seasonal activities. Closely comparable in location, product mix, customer segments, and direct-to-consumer booking model.
• Tuscarora Lodge & Resort: A long-running Gunflint Trail resort offering cabins, canoe outfitting, and BWCA access. Comparable family-run wilderness lodge model with multi-generational guests and a similar seasonal rate structure.
• Cascade Lodge: Historic Lutsen-area North Shore resort offering cabins, lodge rooms, dining, and outdoor recreation on Lake Superior. Comparable Minnesota northwoods lodging destination with similar direct-booking model and four-season activity focus.
• Clearwater Lodge: Family-run Gunflint Trail lodge offering cabins, boats, and direct BWCA access. Closely comparable small wilderness lodge with similar pricing tiers, customer profile, and family ownership structure.
• Grand Ely Lodge: Lakeside Minnesota wilderness resort near Ely offering cabins, lodge rooms, and outdoor recreation in the BWCA gateway region. Comparable in product mix, scale, and family-run hospitality model, though located further east on the BWCA boundary.

Broad incumbents

• Lutsen Resort: Larger and better-known Minnesota North Shore resort on Lake Superior offering lodging, dining, and ski mountain access. Operates in the same regional tourism economy with overlapping outdoor and seasonal appeal but at greater scale and broader portfolio.

Regional players

• Heston's Lodge: Long-running family resort on the Gunflint Trail offering cabin rentals, dining, and BWCA outfitting. Comparable in heritage, ownership style, and product breadth though with slightly different amenity mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BearskinLodge
• Instagraminstagram.com/bearskinlodge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bearskin Lodge