Magnetic Rock: A Scenic Hike On The Gunflint Trail
If you’re looking for a great hike along the Gunflint Trail, a short but scenic option is the beautiful trek to Magnetic Rock.
Magnetic Rock is located all the way in Northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. It might seem remote but this area is full of great outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding and ziplining.
I recommend staying at the historic Gunflint Lodge during your time on the Gunflint Trail. You can rent private cabins and the property is full of great scenic outlooks, free canoe rentals and is only a few minutes down the road from the Magnetic Rock trail.
You can book a cabin here.
MAGNETIC ROCK
This hike is a fun one because it ends in a gigantic rock towering at 30 feet high which contains magnetite. And as the name suggests, it is magnetic.
If you bring a compass, you can actually test the magnetism of the rock. Normally the needle in the compass points north but if you place it near the rock, it will spin.
It all sounds so science fiction… a giant magnet rock sticking out of the earth that is literally as tall as a house, I love it!
And best of all? It’s not a crowded trail. When I hiked it, no one else was around. I had all sorts of lovely vistas and viewpoints to myself.
How To Get To Magnetic Rock:
Drive down Gunflint Trail heading west, away from Grand Marais.
You will see a sign on the right hand side for Magnetic Rock.
There is free parking at the trailhead which will also be on your right hand side.
Once you park, the trail is easy to spot and follow.
It’s about 1.5 miles until you reach Magnetic Rock, you can’t miss it!
The trail leads directly to it and it’s a 30 foot tall rock sticking straight out of the earth.
If you haven’t seen it, you probably just haven’t gone far enough.
The hike is rated as moderate and very enjoyable.
Enjoy the views along the way!
3 Miles Round Trip
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
And keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
During my hike to Magnetic Rock, I spotted both a snake and a fox. There are also bears and moose who call the Gunflint Trail their home.
While we didn’t see bears while hiking Magnetic Rock, we did see bears from our car more than once when driving in the nearby area.
Check out the video of my stay at the Gunflint Lodge
Looking for more great Minnesota hikes?
Read: The Best Easy But Scenic Hikes in Minnesota
