Premium Skywatching in
Grand Marais
Welcome to Grand Marais, our small village on the shore of Lake Superior. To the west is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; to the east is Lake Superior State Forest; to the south is forest and marshland. We're surrounded by miles and miles of dark skies. (Even the International Dark Sky Association agrees!) We have plenty of great skywatching spots nearby, including:
Burt Township Airport: only four miles from town, this grass airport is unlit. In the evening, it offers a vast field with a dark sky overhead, perfect for setting up your telescope.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Within the park are many open shoreline and inland lake spots. We suggest starting at the Sable Lake overlook, only five minutes from town, for views to the south, and Twelvemile Beach for views over the big lake.
Lake Superior State Forest: Ten minutes east of town is Perry's Landing, a wide, open beach with parking next to a beautiful primitive campground. The steps down to the beach make it easy to transport your equipment.
Kingston
Plains: More adventurous skywatchers might want to take a 30-minute
ride out to this large plain southwest of town in the Pictured Rocks Buffer
Zone. Huge stumps are all that's left of the white pine forest that once
covered this area. The area has remained open, with scattered trees. Pick
your spot and settle in for an evening of stargazing!