Local Business Spotlight: Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters
As summer ramps up, lodge owners along the Gunflint Trail and throughout Cook County are busy training seasonal staff, putting boats in the water, and planning summer events.
This time of year is always busy for Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters owners John and Mindy Fredrikson, as they are getting ready for the summer ahead.
With guests already arriving at the lodge in early to mid-May, John Fredrikson said, “We’re a little bit ahead of where we had been last year and previous years. Things seem to be picking up pretty good.”
This year marks the ninth year the Fredriksons have owned Gunflint Lodge since taking over from the Kerfoot family.
Mindy Fredrikson said she appreciates where they live and the opportunity to own and operate a historic lodge up the Gunflint Trail. “It’s truly a blessing to live here.”
“We’ve got wonderful neighbors up here. We’ve got a great community,” she said.
2025 is also the 100th anniversary of Gunflint Lodge and a milestone the Fredriksons celebrated in January with the opening of the Northern Lights Lodge building. The building includes rooms for lodging, a small bar, and space for approximately 60 people to gather for weddings, reunions, or community events.
John Fredrikson and Northern Lights Lodge | Photo by Kalli Hawkins
The 100 years is significant to the Frediksons, and they will continue celebrating the centennial milestone throughout the year. “It’s got a phenomenal history. It’s got a phenomenal tradition here,” John Fredikson said. “We are definitely looking forward to the second century of Gunflint Lodge.”
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters owners John and Mindy Fredrikson 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 May 22, 2025
