Maps

Location

Exploring the 120 acres of Sisu Creek Retreat is like staying in your own private state park. Nestled in a valley, two creeks run right past the old farmhouse and connect with the Baptism River before they reach Lake Superior. Walk in the flower- and berry-filled meadows of a historic farm from four generations of Finnish farmers. For those who hike, venture on established hiking trails through wildlife-filled wetlands and spruce and maple forests to the peak of the 1,440 ft Sawtooth mountain on the property for a view of Lake Superior.

Region Info

The property borders Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center on two sides, which has 18 miles of groomed hiking, snowshoeing, and ski trails and classes that are open to the public. You can hike to the Superior Hiking Trail, the Finland Glades, and Sawmill Dome, where you can also boulder. There are countless gorgeous hikes at the nearby Superior National Forest and state parks like Tettegouche's High Falls Hike, just a few miles from Sisu Creek Retreat. And of course, you can hike in your pajamas with a coffee in hand on the miles of beautiful private trails right on the 120 acres of Sisu Creek Retreat including a view of Lake Superior from the top of our 1,440 foot mountain!

Ride some of Minnesota's best mountain biking at Jackpot and Split Rock Wilds along with the Gitchi-Gami bike trail.

Located just 30 minutes from Lutsen Mountains, Sisu Creek Retreat is an ideal basecamp for downhill and alpine skiers and boarders looking for a private retreat with a fireplace and sauna after a long day on the slopes. Many epic cross country ski areas within a short drive.

Learn local history and take an interpretive nature walk at the Finland Historical Society, a short walk down the road. Or take a class at our neighbor Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center or Grand Marais' North House Folk School.

If you love to hit the winter trails on a snowmobile, Sisu Creek is an ideal home base. Located just minutes from the C.J. Ramstad State Trail, you can explore endless miles of forest along the North Shore. Sisu Creek Retreat has a large driveway that accommodates trailers, though you must keep snowmobiles on the trailer on the property.

Sisu Creek Retreat is situated in the heart of the North Shore – 12 minutes to Tettegouche State Park and Palisade Head, 25 minutes to Split Rock and Gooseberry Falls State Parks, 50 minutes to Grand Marais, and 90 minutes to Duluth. Nearby beaches include Tettegouche, Crystal Bay, and Sugarloaf Cove.

What to Do at Sisu

You can spend days and days just at Sisu Creek Retreat - reading; playing pickleball, foosball, and lawn games; hiking and snowshoeing; playing in the creek; watching wildlife; exploring nature; picking berries; sunbathing on the deck and in the meadow; playing music on instruments and the record player; watching movies on the projector and playing games and puzzles; hiking to the Superior Hiking Trail from the property...

After a day on the trails or the mountain, Sisu Creek Retreat is built for recovery and connection:

Authentic Finnish Sauna: Warm up and soothe tired muscles in our traditional cedar sauna
Outdoor Fun: Play a match on our pickleball court, gather around the firepit under incredibly dark, star-filled skies, or watch for wildlife from the converted chicken-coop creative studio
Indoor Entertainment: Unplug and unwind with our record player, DVD collection and projector, foosball table, acoustic instruments, games and puzzles, books, or our weights and yoga area to stretch out before tomorrow's hike.

And, there's SO much more to enjoy in the region. Peruse our suggestions in our Airbnb guidebook here!