About the Museum & Nature Center

The Chik-Wauk Lodge has stood in this exact location since 1934. The resort was opened in 1931 to Ed & Art Nunstedt (father and son).

From 1931 to 1980 the lodge changed hands from the Nunstedts to Phyllis & Carl Noyes (1952 – 1954) and Erma & Herb Bruggers (1954 – 1957). The last owners of Chik-Wauk Lodge were Ralph and Bea Griffis (1957 – 1980). The U.S. Forest Service bought out the Giffis in 1978.
1980 was the last operating year of Chik-Wauk Lodge.

The name Chik-Wauk is a derivation of an Ojibwe word. Spelled as chi(n)k wauk to mean a pine tree, similar to shingwauk, chingwauk, zhingwaak (pine, white pine). 

Chik-Wauk Museum presents the cultural and natural history of the Gunflint Trail.

Interpretive and interactive displays present the area’s cultural history from its prehistoric beginnings to the development of today’s unique, rural community. Pet a beaver or see if you’re as strong as a Voyageur. View evidence of the Sudbury meteorite which crashed to Earth 1.6 billion years ago. Learn to identify area wildflowers, trees, shrubs, birds, fish and mammals. A collection of pictures, videos and other historic material allows you to immerse yourself in the lives of Gunflint Trail pioneers. Young visitors can embark on a Chik-Wauk Museum scavenger hunt.

Outside, a network of nature trails crisscrosses Chik-Wauk’s 50-acre grounds. Plan to immerse yourself in the Gunflint Trail forest with Chik-Wauk’s family-focused, self-guided naturalist program, which includes activity packs for use on the Chik-Wauk grounds.

Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center is a partnership of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society and Superior National Forest, Gunflint Ranger District.

The Chik-Wauk Museum building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The building was built in the early 1930s by the Nunstedt family who operated a fishing resort until 1980.

Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center buildings are closed for the 2024 season. The buildings will reopen May 24, 2025, see you then!

The hiking trails remain open all-year-long.

Museum design and construction components are by Split Rock Studios of Arden Hills, Minnesota.