Does camping without cell service scare you? It shouldn’t. Here’s how to enjoy your “no-phone” time away!
Here at Okontoe you don’t need to worry about not having cell service. In fact, most of our guests find they absolutely love their “forced” media fast.
It’s really not that unusual for wilderness campgrounds to be off the cell grid. Our family has camped in many mountainous areas out West without signal, for example.
Cell service didn’t come to the Gunflint Trail at all until 2021, and that’s just partial. The tower signal from Gunflint Lake doesn’t reach us here at Okontoe.
But in no way should that scare you away from camping up here—especially if your main concern is safety.
And if you have kids (or adults) in your family who just can’t say no to their screens, you’re gonna love it.
Here are some of the top ways to enjoy your time with us despite (and maybe because of) the lack of cell service:
Talk to People
Talk to the others in your family or group. To those in the campsite or cabin next to you. Talk to the folks using the Swimming Beach. Talk to our staff.
Introduce yourself and find out where people are from. Ask what’s been a highlight of their stay so far. Ask our staff what it’s like to live and work here.
Okontoe has always been a place that encourages a community atmosphere. That’s why we have our Saturday Night Campfires during the summer season and Sunday morning Chapel services.
Some say we’ve lost the art of conversation because we’re so connected to our screens. Well, here’s your chance to look people in the eye instead of over a text and talk!
Rediscover Game Night
Bring a deck of cards or a few games along with you. This is especially handy if we get rain and you can’t be out around the campfire in the evening.
Get ON the Water
Whether it’s right here on one of the three small lakes on or next to our property or it’s a day trip into a Boundary Waters lake, get on the water!
Okontoe is a haven for paddlers and anglers, as are the hundreds of lakes around us.
The use of our canoes and kayaks is part of your cabin or campsite stay, so take advantage of that. There’s nothing like an early morning paddle on a mirror-like lake or a sunset paddle in the evening.
If you have young children, there’s no better place to teach them how to canoe or kayak than our little lakes.
Get IN the Water
We have a small Swimming Beach on Bow Lake that’s perfect for families with kids. The water is generally quite a bit warmer than it is in the big lakes in our area.
It’s wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer day!
(There’s no life guard on duty, so be sure kids always have an adult with them.)
Take a Hike or Two
Even a stroll through our campground is beautiful with all the evergreens, aspen and birch, wildflowers, birds and occasional wildlife.
And there’s great hiking along the Gunflint Trail. You’ll find trails as short as a quarter mile and up to many miles long within a short drive of your cabin or campsite.
Read a Book
Sling your hammock between a couple trees or find a comfy camp chair and relax with a book.
If you forgot yours from home, you’re welcome to browse through our well-stocked camp Library. You’ll find a wide variety of topics and authors there.
(It’s in the same building as White Pine Cabin, at the Camp Office.)
Enjoy Our Dark Skies
Did you know the Boundary Waters is an official Dark Sky Sanctuary? Well, you can enjoy those same dark skies right here at Okontoe since we’re right next to the Boundary Waters.
On clear nights with a full moon you hardly need a flashlight or headlamp. And if the moon’s not out, you’ll be amazed how many stars you can see—including the Milky Way.
If you enjoy looking for constellations (or learning about new ones), you’ve come to the right place. We can’t guarantee Northern Lights, but if they’re out, you can be sure it’s dark enough to see them, too.
Sit By the Campfire
Campfires are fun for adults and kids alike and a wonderful way to spend an Up North evening.
Roast marshmallows, make s’mores, get your brats or hot dogs roasting on a stick or even prepare a full-blown meal over the fire.
Go for a Drive
The Gunflint Trail is a National Scenic Byway, and for good reason—it’s gorgeous!
You’ll see the first half of it between Grand Marais and our driveway. The second half is (we think) even more beautiful, especially the closer you get to the end.
If you plan your drive for earlier in the morning or in the evening you may see some of our local wildlife when they’re most active.
(Just be careful! Keep your eyes open and be looking alongside the road so you don’t hit anything.)
Plan Ahead
When you’re used to being able to Google anything anytime, it takes a little planning ahead when you’ll spend a few days off-grid:
- If this is your first time staying here, be sure to look at the directions while you still have service in Grand Marais. We’re easy to find with signage once you’re on the Gunflint Trail.
- Look up places to eat and things to do ahead of time. We have lots of ideas for you that are in our neck of the woods.
- Let others at home know you’ll be offline for a few days. If someone needs to reach you in an emergency, you’re free to give them our phone number: 218-388-2285. One of our staff will reach you with a message at your campsite or cabin.
Check In on Wi-Fi If You Must
We have wi-fi at our Camp Office/Store/Library if you need to check in on folks at home, get the weather forecast, find hours for a local eatery or look for that email you know is coming.
(Please be courteous and keep your wi-fi time brief so as not to disturb White Pine Cabin guests next door or staff who may be working in the office.)
We know it’s unusual to be phone-free for several days. But most of our guests find it’s a refreshing change of pace.
You can still use your phone to take pictures, of course. But there’s so much to do and see at camp and in our area, we don’t think you’ll miss being online!
Article and photos by Sharon Brodin