Thunder Bay guests account for a meaningful share of the people who stay at Overlook Hus, and it makes complete sense. The drive is 160 miles. The border crossing at Pigeon River takes ten minutes on a normal day. And the stretch of Highway 61 from Grand Portage to Tofte is as good a road as you will find anywhere on the lake.
Here is how to do the full drive well.
Thunder Bay: If You Have Time Before You Leave
Thunder Bay sits on Lake Superior's north shore at the mouth of the Kaministiquia River. It is a city of about 110,000 with a strong Finnish and Scandinavian heritage — which makes the Overlook Hus destination feel like a natural extension of the culture.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park The Sleeping Giant is the landmark of Thunder Bay — a massive peninsula that forms the silhouette of a reclining figure when viewed from the city. The park covers 240 square kilometers with sea caves, rugged hiking, and some of the best Lake Superior views in Ontario. If you have a day before the drive south, Sleeping Giant earns it. Top Hat Island Trail and the Kabeyun Trail to the tip of the peninsula are the standout routes.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park Thirty kilometers west of Thunder Bay on Highway 17. The Kaministiquia River drops 40 meters (130 feet) over a horseshoe falls known as the Niagara of the North. The viewing platform puts you directly above the falls. Worth an hour if you are heading west before turning south.
Terry Fox Memorial On the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Thunder Bay. Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope here in 1980, running east across Canada on one leg after losing the other to cancer. The monument faces east toward the rest of the country he intended to cross. A brief stop worth making if you pass it.
Eating in Thunder Bay The Hoito Restaurant in the Finnish Labour Temple is the most storied breakfast spot in the city. Finnish pancakes, good coffee, and a room that has been serving the same menu since 1918. Expect a wait on weekend mornings. Caribou Restaurant and Wine Bar is the right choice for dinner the night before you leave — local ingredients, a serious wine list, and a room that does justice to both.
The Drive South: Thunder Bay to the Border
Take Highway 61 south from Thunder Bay. The drive to the Pigeon River border crossing is 50 kilometers, about 40 minutes. The highway runs through mixed forest with occasional lake glimpses on the way down.
Sleeping Giant views from the highway The southern edge of Thunder Bay gives the best roadside view of the Sleeping Giant peninsula lying flat across the lake. Pull off anywhere with a clear sightline. The view is best in morning light.
Pigeon River Provincial Park The last stop before the border. Pigeon River flows through a gorge along the border between Ontario and Minnesota. The High Falls of the Pigeon River is a 30-meter drop on the Canadian side, accessible via a short trail from the park. A legitimate waterfall worth seeing, especially in spring.
The Border Crossing
The Pigeon River crossing (US Customs and Border Protection, Port of Entry: Grand Portage) is the correct crossing for this route. Bring your passport. The crossing is typically fast on weekdays. Summer weekends can have a 20 to 30 minute wait. NEXUS card holders can use the dedicated lane.
Once through, you are on Highway 61 in Minnesota. Grand Portage is immediately ahead. Tofte is 60 miles to the southwest.
Grand Portage
Grand Portage National Monument Three miles from the border. Grand Portage was the hub of the North American fur trade from the 1730s through the early 1800s. The reconstructed stockade, great hall, and kitchen buildings are operated by the National Park Service. Rangers in period dress explain the trade routes. The monument sits at the natural harbor that fur trade canoes used for centuries. Free admission.
Grand Portage State Park — High Falls Eight miles from the border on Highway 61. The Pigeon River forms the border between Minnesota and Ontario, and the High Falls here — 120 feet — are the tallest waterfall in Minnesota. A paved 0.5-mile trail leads to the viewing platforms. The falls run hard in spring and early summer. No state parks permit required — the park is jointly managed with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and is free to enter.
The combination of Grand Portage National Monument and High Falls is a natural first stop after crossing. Give yourself 90 minutes for both.
Hollow Rock
About 12 miles southwest of Grand Portage on County Road 89 off Highway 61. A distinctive sea stack formation rising from the lake with a natural arch at the waterline. The beach access is free and public. One of the most photographed spots on the North Shore and genuinely worth the five-minute detour off the highway.
Our full guide to Hollow Rock is here.
Grand Marais
Twenty-five minutes from Overlook Hus. Grand Marais is where most Thunder Bay road trippers stop for lunch or an early dinner before the final stretch.
Artist Point — five-minute walk from downtown parking along the breakwater to a rocky point with the best harbor view in town.
Crosby's Bakery — the right breakfast or mid-morning stop. Exceptional pastries, good coffee, small space. Go early.
Voyageur Brewing — harbor views, rooftop deck in summer, food that's better than a brewery usually bothers with. The right call for lunch or dinner.
Angry Trout Cafe — local fish done right, outdoor seating on the water. Walk-in only. Call 15 minutes ahead to get your name on the list.
Sivertson Gallery — regional art with serious depth. Worth 30 minutes if art is on the agenda.
The Final Stretch: Grand Marais to Tofte
Highway 61 from Grand Marais to Tofte runs close to the lake through some of the best coastal scenery on the drive. The Sawtooth Range builds on the right. The lake is visible on the left. No reason to rush this section.
Cascade River State Park (16 miles from Overlook Hus) Multi-tiered waterfall complex on the Cascade River. The parking area is right off Highway 61 and the main falls are a short walk. A quick stop on the drive, or the base for a longer hike if you have energy left.
Then Overlook Hus. The sauna takes 40 to 50 minutes to heat. Start it when you pull in.
Practical Notes
Drive time: Thunder Bay to Tofte is 2.5 to 3 hours driving, longer with stops. A full day with Grand Portage, Grand Marais, and one or two stops on Highway 61 is the recommended pace.
Passport: Required at the US border. All adults need a valid passport. Minors traveling with one parent should carry a letter of consent from the absent parent.
Currency: US dollars required once you cross. Grand Portage State Park and the National Monument are free. State parks in Minnesota require a vehicle permit — buy at the first park you enter or in advance at mndnr.gov.
Gas: Fill up in Grand Marais or Tofte. Options are limited between the border and Grand Marais.
Cell service: Spotty in places between the border and Grand Marais. Download offline maps before you leave Thunder Bay.