Welcome to the Points Unknown Guest Suite! One of the most unique lodging options/lifestyle immersion experiences you will find along Lake Superior’s North Shore or near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior Hiking Trail. Twenty six sled dogs share our lives and help us provide dog sledding experiences the winter. Mindful Paddling and Hiking into the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) and surrounding areas is also part of our lifestyle and offerings.
The Space
Not only one of the most unique lodging options you will find along Lake Superior’s North Shore or near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior Hiking Trail, but an absolutely one-of-a-kind experience! Our Guest Suite has rustic hickory floors and kitchen cabinetry, knotty pine ceilings, half log interior side walls and Lake Superior stone back splash. It doesn’t get any more rustic north woods/north shore than this! This is a bright space filled with natural light from a large patio door window and three skylights.
The Points Unknown Guest Suite allows you to participate fully in our lifestyle with traditional sled dogs in our modern and comfy off-grid haven in the north woods of Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region. Join us for a dog sledding experience or Mindful Paddle or Hike by day. Gaze at our ever-changing sky by night, right out your window. You might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing overhead! Then, let the tranquil howls of the sled dogs enchant and sing you to sleep. When you’re ready for adventure, you’ll find our accommodations a warm and welcoming place to start your day.
Since our Guest Suite is located in our private home, couples may not find it the most suitable place, at times, for a romantic get-a-way.
We are early to rise and early to bed, as our off-grid lifestyle with the sled dogs is a fulfilling, yet demanding one. Please take this into consideration when making plans for the day that include returning from a day away and your chosen shower time.
Amenities of the Points Unknown Guest Suite include:
- 1 queen size bed
- 2 twin XL beds
- 1 double futon bed
- Full kitchenette with a small stove/oven, small refrigerator, sink and microwave (use of microwave dependent upon sun)
- Beds with privacy pull curtains (except for futon bed) and bedside lights
- Pillows, bedding, towels and washcloths
- Entire suite rental
- Individual bed rentals on a case by case basis
- Private 3/4 Bathroom
- Shower for overnight guests ($10.00 for visitors passing through)
- Laundry use for additional fee
Other things you need to know
Check in time: 4PM -8PM, however we understand that folks can travel from a great distance to our place so we can be flexible.
Check out time: 10AM
Kitchen is fully stocked with eating utensils, plates and cookware. A French press for coffee brewing is available. Please limit microwave usage to sunny days.
We LOVE pets and animals in general, but because we have 23 Sled Pets that include 4 full-time house dogs, you will need to leave your pets at home.
Guest Access
In addition to the rented suite, guests are welcome to use the front porch overlooking the fenced dog play areas and the woods. It has a wood stove for ambiance and warmth on cold winter days and to take the chill off on spring and fall evenings. Think about booking a dog sledding or wheeled rig adventure during your fall or winter stay! Also consider a Mindful Paddle into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or a guided hike on one of the many trails in the area. As part of your nightly fee, which includes tax, you will be invited out to meet the sled dogs at a time set during your check in and be invited to receive a tour of our beeswax candle crafting workshop.
Children
- Our guest suite may not be suitable for some children under the age of 12 due to the multiple safety requirements associated with a kennel of sled dogs and the desire for general peace and quiet in our home.
- Children must be attended by an adult at all times and not left to wander the common areas or property alone.
You will pass through unfinished areas of our home to get to your perfectly finished and cozy accommodations with vast views of the woods out the patio door window and the big sky out of one of the three roof windows. Having unfinished space in your home is typical for our area so you’ll be able to experience the local norm.
The Guest Suite and private 3/4 bathroom are kept clean and tidy for our guests at all times. It is extremely unlikely, however, that the main part of our home which includes the porch, entry way, our private living quarters and the beeswax candle workshop will be free of dog hair, dirt and dust and some seasons are better than others. We really do “live” here along with our 27 sled pets, after all. You will get to see true life with Points Unknown and heck, we may surprise you and there won’t be any dog hair, dust and dirt. But then again, I would wonder if you were in the right place.
There are no phone lines in our area, however we do receive a boosted cell phone signal from Canada. If AT&T is your carrier, you will enjoy the ability to make phone calls freely as we do, with no International charges, however an extra fee is charged for International data through AT&T, if it can be received at our location. Our phone is available for emergencies only.
We require limited satellite internet service to run our businesses and it is not available to guests. Unplug, relax and enjoy your time in the wilderness!
A note about bedtime
The Guest Suite is in our private home. We are early to rise and early to bed. Our off-grid lifestyle with the sled dogs is a fulfilling, yet demanding one. Please take this into consideration when making plans that include returning from a day away and your chosen shower time.
If you are a “late-night-on-the-town” type of person, this may not be the place for you. The sled dogs are typically quiet, however late and loud arrivals can be met with a kennel of dogs sharing their concern for your late and loud arrival and it can take them some time to quiet down which takes away from everyone’s peaceful night.
The Seasons
WINTER
Do I have to come for a dog sledding experience to stay at the Points Unknown Guest Suite in the winter? Not at all, but we sure hope you take advantage of the opportunity! Our beautiful Sled Pets are waiting to welcome you too! Ask about our Bed & Sled packages!
SPRING, SUMMER, FALL
During the “off season,” the Points Unknown Guest Suite becomes a comfortable overnight stop. We welcome adventurers making their way on the Superior Hiking Trail and paddlers exploring the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Families and small groups are always welcome to stay with us as a home base for their nearby sights exploration. We offer Mindful Paddling & Hiking Guide Services to our guests.
What does “off-grid” look like at Points Unknown?
The Points Unknown Guest Suite is located within our off-grid homestead, in Minnesota’s remote north woods, 35 minutes northeast of Grand Marais. We are located 7 miles from the conventional grid. Our energy comes from 16 solar panels mounted on the roof of our homestead. We have 24 batteries in which this solar energy is stored. On cloudy days, we have a propane generator that produces the energy used and stored. Propane, having a by-product of water, lessens our carbon footprint. We ask that our guests help us conserve our energy wherever possible.
Our delicious drinking water comes from our own well.
Our heat is in floor and is fed by an outdoor wood boiler.
We have indoor plumbing!
We ask that our guests help to conserve our precious resources by limiting the length and number of showers.