Welcome to Your Island Getaway!
Marinas
Located a short 1/2 mile from the cabin, Grubens provides many of the conveniences that may be needed during your trip. There is gas, parking, food, liquor and most importantly, hand dipped ice cream available! This is great place to start your vacation!
Gruben's Marina
4296 Arrowhead Point RdLocated a short 1/2 mile from the cabin, Grubens provides many of the conveniences that may be needed during your trip. There is gas, parking, food, liquor and most importantly, hand dipped ice cream available! This is great place to start your vacation!
Shamrock is located about two miles from the cabin but it provides another place where you can get gas along with food and bait.
Shamrock Landing
4551 Bradley RoadShamrock is located about two miles from the cabin but it provides another place where you can get gas along with food and bait.
Fortune Bay has a nice marina with fuel, bait and some convenience items. There are also restaurants and golf available here.
18 locals recommend
Fortune Bay Resort Casino
1430 Bois Forte RdFortune Bay has a nice marina with fuel, bait and some convenience items. There are also restaurants and golf available here.
Moccasin Point Marine is a repair shop just up from Moccasin Point public access. They have a pretty good selection of parts and Craig is a great mechanic. They also have boat rentals available specifically for Trout Lake in the boundary waters. ( A permit would need to be obtained for this adventure though)
Moccasin Point Marine
4655 Moccasin Point RdMoccasin Point Marine is a repair shop just up from Moccasin Point public access. They have a pretty good selection of parts and Craig is a great mechanic. They also have boat rentals available specifically for Trout Lake in the boundary waters. ( A permit would need to be obtained for this adventure though)
Aronson's is located in Pike Bay and can be reached by boat or car. They have a repair shop, fuel and a good selection of marine parts and accessories.
Aronson Boat Works Inc
Aronson's is located in Pike Bay and can be reached by boat or car. They have a repair shop, fuel and a good selection of marine parts and accessories.
Timbuktu Marina
Located just outside of Niles Bay, they have gas, bait and tackle available.
Food scene
You will pass right by the Vermilion Club on your way to the lake and I would highly suggest going back that way for dinner and cocktails. They have a great menu and friendly staff. They also have pizza available for take-out as well as frozen pizzas. There is boat access available via a dock and a short walk to the restaurant.
11 locals recommend
The Vermilion Club
3191 Old Hwy 77You will pass right by the Vermilion Club on your way to the lake and I would highly suggest going back that way for dinner and cocktails. They have a great menu and friendly staff. They also have pizza available for take-out as well as frozen pizzas. There is boat access available via a dock and a short walk to the restaurant.
Fortune Bay has a marina with gas and bait available. They also have some very nice restaurants and a fantastic golf course.
18 locals recommend
Fortune Bay Resort Casino
1430 Bois Forte RdFortune Bay has a marina with gas and bait available. They also have some very nice restaurants and a fantastic golf course.
In my opinion, Wolf Bay has the BEST burger baskets on the lake. This is also a very pretty boat ride to the west side of the lake and has a great atmosphere right on the water.
Wolf Bay Lodge
3262 Randa RdIn my opinion, Wolf Bay has the BEST burger baskets on the lake. This is also a very pretty boat ride to the west side of the lake and has a great atmosphere right on the water.
A beautiful deck overlooking the lake provides a great place for lunch or dinner. Plenty of dock space to pull up with the boat or a short car ride from the access or Gruben's
Tavern In The Bay
A beautiful deck overlooking the lake provides a great place for lunch or dinner. Plenty of dock space to pull up with the boat or a short car ride from the access or Gruben's
A bar and grill located in downtown Tower has great breakfast, lunch and dinner items. This can only be reached by car.
The Good Ol' Days Bar & Grill
316 Main StA bar and grill located in downtown Tower has great breakfast, lunch and dinner items. This can only be reached by car.
Approximately a 20 minute drive from the cabin, The South Switch has great food and a nice bar atmosphere.
The South Switch
8929 State Hwy 1Approximately a 20 minute drive from the cabin, The South Switch has great food and a nice bar atmosphere.
Located on the far west end of the lake, The Landing is nice boat ride or can be reached by car. It has a nice lakeside deck and good food.
7 locals recommend
The Landing on Lake Vermilion
3096 Vermilion DrLocated on the far west end of the lake, The Landing is nice boat ride or can be reached by car. It has a nice lakeside deck and good food.
A fantastic bakery located in Cook! Its definitely worth a stop if you make it over that way.
Rose Cottage Baking Co.
A fantastic bakery located in Cook! Its definitely worth a stop if you make it over that way.
Fun Stuff
This is a MUST if you have children but is fun for adults as well. This very well maintained mini-golf course is also right on the way to the cabin. They also have ice cream available!
6 locals recommend
Pier 77 Mini-Golf
4066 Co Rd 77This is a MUST if you have children but is fun for adults as well. This very well maintained mini-golf course is also right on the way to the cabin. They also have ice cream available!
If you want to see a bear during your trip, this is the place for you! It features a large viewing platform where you can witness up to 30-40 bears at one time.
29 locals recommend
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
12541 Nett Lake RoadIf you want to see a bear during your trip, this is the place for you! It features a large viewing platform where you can witness up to 30-40 bears at one time.
If you make it to Ely, this is a great place to see the resident wolves up close.
37 locals recommend
International Wolf Center
1396 MN-169If you make it to Ely, this is a great place to see the resident wolves up close.
Located just outside of Ely, This is a great place to see and learn about bears.
North American Bear Center
1926 MN-169Located just outside of Ely, This is a great place to see and learn about bears.
This is a great place to visit to learn more about the history of mining that first brought people to this area.
27 locals recommend
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
1302 McKinley Park RdThis is a great place to visit to learn more about the history of mining that first brought people to this area.
One of the many "gateways" to the boundary waters, the Trout Lake Portage is a nice little boat ride from the cabin. Even if you are not going into Trout Lake, you can still park the boat here and walk the 1/4 mile portage over to trout. Watch for the side trails leading to the river with some beautiful rapids. There is also portage service available that will pull your boat across to Trout Lake and back. A permit will need to be obtained for this however.
Trout Lake Portage
One of the many "gateways" to the boundary waters, the Trout Lake Portage is a nice little boat ride from the cabin. Even if you are not going into Trout Lake, you can still park the boat here and walk the 1/4 mile portage over to trout. Watch for the side trails leading to the river with some beautiful rapids. There is also portage service available that will pull your boat across to Trout Lake and back. A permit will need to be obtained for this however.
A nice nature boardwalk through some of the bog country which is very common in this area.
Mickey Elverum Bog Walk
4429 US-53A nice nature boardwalk through some of the bog country which is very common in this area.
Wolfridge Golf Course
8501 Savage RdA nice golf course approximately 30 min from the lake
A world class golf course approximately 30 minutes away. Check out other stuff Giant's Ridge has to offer as well, including a nice restaurant.
The Legend at Giants Ridge
6383 Wynne Creek DrA world class golf course approximately 30 minutes away. Check out other stuff Giant's Ridge has to offer as well, including a nice restaurant.
Vermilion Fairways
A nice golf course just outside of Cook
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Gravel Lizard Guide Service
Owned and operated by your host, Gravel Lizard Guide Service is a full service guide on Lake Vermilion. Offering a comfortable, top of the line boat to fish from and nice equipment, book your trip now and catch walleye, bass and maybe even a musky! Mention you are staying in the cabin and receive a 10% discount! Check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gravellizardguide or the website at https://www.gravellizardguide.com/
Getting around
Download a mapping app of the lake!
Lake Vermilion has 365 islands and can be tricky to navigate if you have never been here before. I would suggest downloading a lake mapping app such as Navionics for your trip. This will provide you with both a detailed GPS map of the lake but also shows the depth contours to make fishing the lake much easier as well.
Getting around
Watch for boat traffic!
Although Lake Vermilion is a huge lake, you still need to be aware of the boat traffic. When possible, always maintain lanes on the lake just like you would on the road. If there is a boat coming toward you just stay to the right of it. There are also many navigation channels on the lake. These are marked with red and green buoys. Put simply, always go in between the red and green markers. Rocks and hazards are marked with white buoys. Lake Vermilion is well marked but still use caution near shorelines and islands and always try to stay out from the shoreline.
Getting around
Shorelunch Spots!
Lake Vermilion has several places that make a fantastic place to pull the boat into and enjoy some lunch. Follow this link for a map of these spots!
https://www.vermilionlakeassociation.org/other-programs/shore-lunch-sites/
What to pack
What to bring!
Although there are several conveniences for you on the island, there are some things we would suggest you consider packing for your trip!
* Extra coffee
* Beach Towels
* Swimsuits
* Bug Spray
* Sunscreen
* Water Shoes
What to pack
What to bring for fishing!
Depending on the season you arrive at the lake, here are a few suggestions of tackle and bait you will want to have with you.
Spring - 1/8oz - 1/4oz jigs, Egg Sinkers and Plain Hook Rigs, Shallow Running Crankbaits, Jigs and Soft Plastic Baits, Slip bobbers with leeches.
Summer - Jigs and plain hook rigs will still work. Leadcore trolling crankbaits in deeper water with #5 shad raps. Slip bobbers will also work.
Fall - Larger minnows can be deadly. Fished over structure, you can can catch some of the biggest fish of the year this way.
Don't miss
The North Shore Beaches
If you need a place to cool off, there are a number of small sand beach spots you can pull the boat into and have some fun in the water. If this interests you, just ask and we would be more than happy to tell you how to get there!