Driving on the Gunflint Trail

The Gunflint Trail is a paved highway that winds its way through the Superior National Forest.  It has sharp curves, hills, and a few straight stretches in between.  The maximum speed limit is 50 m.p.h. but there are areas that go down to 40 m.p.h. or less.  As a local I know the road very well and can anticipate corners and even where certain animals may be.  Tourists, on the other hand, basically have no clue and tend to drive either too slowly or too quickly.   Everyone should drive with caution on the Gunflint Trail because of all of the different types of traffic.  If you are not comfortable driving fast and there is a string of vehicles behind you then pull over and let the traffic pass you by.  If you see a moose or other wildlife and decide to stop your vehicle then try to get as far off of the road as you can and don’t stand on the center line taking photos. There are logging trucks, motorcycles, trucks pulling boats, gas trucks,  cars with trailers, campers, people biking, hiking, walking, moose, deer, bear, fox, and these animals can appear out of nowhere and be hard to avoid hitting.  This time of the year there are turtles crossing the road to lay their eggs, they are slow moving animals and should be easy to avoid, but you wouldn’t think so with all of the smashed ones I’ve seen lately.  Please help us keep the wildlife we have and protect the travelers on the Trail and drive safely the next time you drive the Gunflint Trail.