We recently returned from what has become a yearly trip for us to Hungry Jack Lodge & Campground, located on the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, MN. As was the case during all of our previous stays at Hungry Jack Lodge everything was excellent. We were at Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground from August 21st until September 5th this year (2010).

We have stayed at various other log cabins and log sided cabins, over the many visits that we have made to Hungry Jack Lodge. This year we stayed in “Bear Cabin”. "Bear Cabin" is our favorite cabin at Hungry Jack Lodge and is located on the tip of a peninsula that juts out into Hungry Jack Lake. Bear Cabin, though it is one of the smaller cabins available, is our personal favorite cabin because of the spectacular sunsets that can be seen across the lake from within the cabin itself and from its' outdoor deck. The cabin itself was, as always, was very clean. Cleanliness is what we have grown to expect at Hungry Jack Lodge, over the many years that we have stayed there and we were not disappointed.

Though we cooked our own meals in our cabin most nights we did have dinner in the Lodge one night. Both my wife and I had the Walleye dinner. The walleye was top rate! I can honestly say that it was some of the best walleye that I have ever had in my life. Not only was the dinner delicious, the portion was large and more than enough to fill almost anyone. The desert, which was a lemon tart, was also fantastic. Not only was the meal itself great, the view of Hungry Jack Lake from the dining room is beyond what I can describe in words. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe the beautiful view that we had while enjoying a truly great meal.

The new main lodge building at Hungry Jack is phenomenal. Words cannot begin to describe this modern, yet rustic appearing lodge. Because it is newly constructed, it has all of the modern amenities that people want and at the same time has that northwoods rustic look and feel to it that most visitors to northern Minnesota have come to expect at a family lakeside resort. The lodge is spacious, modern, impeccably clean and has a spectacular eastern facing view of Hungry Jack Lake through the glass wall in the dining room or from its’ lower level patio.

The upper or main level of the Lodge has a spectacular two story cathedral ceiling and is where the check-in desk is, along with a small gift shop and the dining room area. There is also a relaxing and sitting area with over-stuffed leather chairs and a sofa, in front of a huge two story stone fireplace in this main, entry level of the main lodge building. The décor throughout the main lodge is “northwoods” and has many antiques and items which relate to the northwoods style of life both past and present.

The lower level of the main lodge houses the “Loggers Lounge” bar and recreation room, which was very clean and spacious. There are video games, a pool table and a couple of darts games in the Loggers Lounge along with the actual bar, which has stools made out of huge logs. There is also a sitting area with recliners and a love seat in front of a stone fireplace in the Logger Lounge. Outside the Loggers Lounge lower level door is a large patio made from pavers, which has a table with chairs and a number of Adirondack chairs to relax in while taking in a gorgeous view of Hungry Jack Lake.

The activities available at Hungry Jack lodge are many. There are a number of hiking trails close by. Canoeing day trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCAW) is also very popular and one of our favorite activities. Though my wife and I do not fish, most people seemed to do very well fishing, including kids, who mostly fished from the boat dock. There is a playground area, swimming beach and free sauna located on the rear lawn of the main lodge.

The friendly, courteous staff as Hungry Jack Lodge was and always has been fantastic. They are always there to help make your vacation all that you want it to be. We highly recommend Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground to anyone that wants a relaxing (or exciting) northwoods vacation. The Gunflint Trail area, Hungry Jack Lake, the staff at Hungry Jack Lodge, the available activities, the great food, the moderately priced log cabins all add up to what we think was a fantastic vacation. We will go back to Hungry Jack Lodge again and wish that we never had to leave.

When we arrived, we were unpleasantly surprised to see that the property looked like a junkyard! There were antlers lining the ground around the main lodge, which looked as if they were placed there to conceal unfinished construction. The roads to the lodge and the cabins were ornamented with trailers and dilapidated pick-up trucks. Luckily, our cabin was pretty nice....or so we thought. The service was good, but there was only one employee checking in customers, cooking, serving dinner, and bartending. She was really professional and nice, which is the only reason this rating is Poor instead of Terrible! The food and drinks were okay, but I would have rather eaten at one of the great restaurants in Grand Marais. This lodge is dog-friendly, which we loved. Most of the other guests were too.

The cabin overlooked a beautiful, small lake and we had our own private deck and dock. We could, however, hear the neighbors through the sparse tree line separating our cabins. The cabin had two bedrooms and a nice sized kitchen and living area. Overall, the cabin was very clean and cozy. While we were getting comfortable in our bed, we all of a sudden heard a rather gross gurgling sound under the cabin. About 10 seconds later, a penetrating odor of sewage filled our bedroom!! I am not kidding. We were abhorred once we realized there was some kind of sewage line running under our cabin! Needless to say, my boyfriend was awoken by the dangerous stench the next morning.

The decor in the cabin was peculiar. I understand that this cabin is off of the Gunflint Trail in Northern Minnesota, but that should not lead someone to believe that it is cool to have 25 animal skins from hunting exploits draped on every piece of furniture in the cabin. Oh, and let us not forget to mention the stuffed pheasants, deer, and other game hanging from the ceiling and walls. One or two skins would have been enough.

Luckily, we only stayed one night.

We have been to Hungry Jack Lodge many times and are always very pleased. It has moderately priced cabins and log cabins which are lakefront. Each cabin has it's own dock, deck, grill, and much more. Cabins are well spaced for privacy along the shore of Hungry Jack Lake. Great fishing and canoeing in the summer and the only resort on the Gunflint Trail that caters to snowmobilers during the winter months.

The staff at Hungry jack Lodge is the best. They are always pleasant and ready to please you in any way that they can. The staff makes you feel as though you are a part of the "Hungry Jack Family".

We have vacationed in many areas of northern Minnesota and western Ontario almost every year since 1985. Hungry Jack Lodge is the best resort that we have ever been to in northern Minnesota or western Ontario in all that time.

Moderate pricing. EXCELLENT hospitality. Great area with many activities.

Had a great time on one of the most beautiful spots on the Gunflint Trail. The hosts of this fine esatablishment make it exciting to arrive, very tough to leave.