Local Business Spotlight: Borderland Lodge

When guests arrive at Borderland Lodge, owners Dave and Stephanie Shea say they want visitors to experience what many find along the Gunflint Trail, a “sense of magic and wonder.”

For the past five years, they have been doing just that.

When guests call to book a room or cabin, Dave, Stephanie, and their staff take the time to get to know them and tailor the experience to create a memorable stay that lasts long after the trip.

“We’re really invested in their experience, and when they get to have that memorable moment, it makes us feel so good,” Stephanie said.

Since purchasing the lodge near the end of the Gunflint Trail in 2021, the pair have shaped the business to reflect their values and approach to hospitality.

While operating a lodge requires an owner to wear multiple hats, one of Stephanie’s passions is crafting flavorful, inspired menus that showcase the food, culture, and character of the Gunflint Trail and northeastern Minnesota.

“So I come up with the menu items, and we work together as a team to make the food,” she said. “We make everything from scratch as much as possible.”

Handmade pasta dish at Borderland Lodge | Contributed by Borderland Lodge

The menu features fresh focaccia, handmade pasta recipes, wild risotto, and other seasonal or rotating dishes.

“It’s local ingredients, seasonal ingredients,” Stephanie said. “It’s also things that come from my life, things that I love.”

Compared to the summer months, winter is generally a slower time for Gunflint Trail lodge owners. Throughout the winter, Borderland Lodge provides several opportunities for their guests and the public to enjoy dinner, drinks, and happy hour. The lodge is open Fridays and Saturdays serving dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Happy hour is Saturdays starting at 3 p.m. Find up-to-date winter hours and menu items on the Borderland Lodge website.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Borderland Lodge owner Stephanie Shea for the latest edition of the Local Business Spotlight. The audio is below.

The Local Business Spotlight highlights our local business community’s economic strength and innovation. This feature is brought to you in partnership with Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.

Kalli Hawkins January 31, 2026