Activities around Orr, MN

There’s so much to do here, you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy during your family vacation in Orr Minnesota!

Family Attractions and Activities


Click here to meet Billy Bluegill and take a guided tour of the Orr area

Gateway Lodge Family Fun Center

With an indoor, 100 ft waterslide, kiddy waterslide, wading pool, whirlpool, recreation area and more, it’s like a vacation from your vacation and an exciting departure from your typical hotel stay. AND it’s located right in our hotel!

Voyageurs National Park

Nearly 200 years ago voyageurs paddled birch bark canoes full of animal pelts and trade goods through this area on their way to Lake Athabaska, Canada. Today, people explore the park by houseboat, motorboat, canoe and kayak. Voyageurs is a water-based park where you must leave your car and take to the water to fully experience the lakes, islands and shorelines of the park.
Address: 3131 Highway 53, International Falls, Minnesota 56649
Distance: 45 miles
Phone: (218) 283-6600

Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary

Home of the American Bear Association. Watch black bears in their natural habitat from the safety of an elevated viewing platform. Plenty of wildlife species to watch and photograph. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Address: Highway 23, Orr, MN
Distance: 4 miles
Phone: (218) 757-0172

Orr General Store and Mecantile

Historic general store constructed to serve pioneer logging camps. Now housing unique north woods gift shop, coffee and ice cream parlor and art gallery. Full of the charm of days-gone-by, the Orr General Store has served many purposes in its 100+ years. Inn, tavern, dance hall, community center, brothel and more. Rich in history. Open daily from 9:00am - 6:00pm.
Address: 4535 Highway 53, Orr, Minnesota
Distance: half mile
Phone: 218-757-3534

Superior National Forest

Canoe Routes, Hiking Trails, Back-country Camping, Cross-country ski trails, Hunting, Fishing, Bird and Wildlife Watching. Built between Aurora, on Minnesota’s historic Iron Range, and Silver Bay, overlooking beautiful Lake Superior, the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway links communities steeped in the tradition of iron mining and graced by their natural surroundings. Home to marshlands, forests, rivers and lakes, the Superior National Forest includes wild and distinctly undeveloped areas.

The Byway that shares its name offers travelers an intimate look at this majestic wilderness and numerous opportunities to watch for wildlife and birds. Several roadside stops provide picnic areas and peaceful walking or skiing trails. The 88-year-old Toimi School and the Timber Arch Bridge that crosses the Partridge River are two historic highlights along the way.

Voyageurs National Park

Boat tours, Historic Kettle Galls Hotel, naturalist programs, free canoe rides, snowmobile trails and Interpretive Centers at Rainy Lake, Kabetogama and Ash River, Ellsworth Rock Garden... a great picnic spot! Voyageurs National Park consists thousands of acres of pristine lakes and north woods beauty. Bald Eagles nest on the many islands and the call of the Loon echoes over the water. In winter, the park boasts some of the best and finely groomed trails in the country for snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Address: 3131 Highway 53, International Falls, Minnesota 56649
Distance: 45 miles
Phone: Rainy Lake Visitor Center (218) 286-5258

Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Unique underground tour and exhibit area. Soudan, MN. A century slips by when you visit this park. Visitors wear hard hats and journey down 2,341 feet via a “cage.” On the 27th level, the transportation shifts to a rail car for a ride back into the mine as you listen to the stories of the mining days. Above ground visitors can explore the dry house, drill shop, crusher house and engine house. Visitors also can walk the boardwalk past one of the deepest open mine pits or hike the trails in the park through a northern hardwood conifer forest, past the famous Soudan Iron Formation.
Address: P.O. Box 335, Soudan, Minnesota 55782
Phone: (218) 753-2245

Area Attractions on Googlemaps


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Neighboring Cities

Ely, MN [+ - ]
Here, you’ll experience the best of both worlds - the relaxed atmosphere of smaller-town living yet many of the advantages of big-city living. Ely offers not only the ultimate in wilderness experiences, but also some of the finest dining and shopping opportunities as well as many fine resorts and varied year-round recreation experiences. Whether you’re canoeing into the unspoiled, world-famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or relaxing at one of Ely’s full-service resorts, you’re sure to discover the Ely Difference!

Home of the International Wolf Center, Ely is located just 65 miles from the Gateway Lodge. Enjoy miles of specialty shops, diners and saloons. Tour the Dorothy Molter Museum and other art venues. Check out the outdoor supplies and outfitters.
Chisholm, MN [+ - ]
The Heart of the Iron Range! Chisholm is host to many fun things for the entire family to see and do. While in the area, be sure to get a firsthand look at mining history at Ironworld Discovery Center and the Minnesota Museum of Mining. Pay homage to the Veterans Memorial and the Iron Man, the third largest free-standing statue in the United States. To fulfill your recreational needs, you can access the scenic Mesabi Trail, a ninety-seven mile paved bicycle and walking trail. If you prefer, there are many miles of ATV and snowmobile trails in the area to satisfy every off road need.

If you are event driven, plan on attending the annual Polar Bear Days Events in February, Sidewalk Fair in June, Firedays Festivities in September, and the Field of Screams Haunted Tours in October. Each and every season in Chisholm in filled with entertainment and activities! Located 40 miles south of the Gateway Lodge of Orr.
Virginia, MN [+ - ]
A short 45 mile drive from our Orr hotel, enjoy Mineview in the sky (areas deepest mine), Alcott Park Greenhouse, Finntown/Kaleva Hall, Virginial Heritage Museum and the Laurentian Divide. Our environment of scenic beauty is one of our strongest suits: vast forest, big timber, wilderness areas, surrounding picturesque lakes dotted with many islands connected with one another for vast networks of waterways. Offerings in our four-season wonderland are excellent hunting and fishing, downhill and cross country skiing at Giants Ridge, five public and private golf clubs, many tennis courts and outdoor parks, racquetball, bocce-ball, volleyball, swimming, scuba diving in clear caverns of water, biking, hiking, and fitness trails, numerous baseball and softball fields, curling clubs, indoor hockey arenas, trap and skeet shooting clubs and many miles of connecting snowmobile trails.
Hibbing, MN [+ - ]
Located just 48 miles south of our hotel in Orr, Hibbing is home to the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine, Hibbing Historical Museum, Paulucci Space Theatre and the Greyhound Bus Origin Center. The community has 32 parks, two golf courses, a skatepark, softball/baseball fields, soccer fields, indoor & outdoor ice rinks, fishing, hunting, boating, bocce ball, horseshoes, cross country ski trails, the Hibbing raceway, a marksmanship center, and is on the Mesabi Bike Trail.
International Falls, MN [+ - ]
Tourists who visit every year do so because of the abundance of magnificent local attractions. One of the most amazing and picturesque gifts of the area is Voyageurs National Park. This park features over 200,000 acres of breathtaking scenery composed of interconnected waterways, islands, campsites, and wildlife.

Also awaiting your exploration are the Bronko Nagurski Museum and the Koochiching County Historical Museum. The first of these galleries features International Falls' most famous son, NFL legend Bronko Nagurski, and the latter explores 10,000 years of borderland history. Tour the Boise Cascade Papermill, enjoy the Rainy Lake Bike Trail and Smokey Bear Park.

As a golfing destination, International Falls is a pleasant surprise. Call it an attraction or call it a challenge, the Falls Country Club offers magnificent views of the Rainy River and an 18-hole championship course designed by Joel Goldstrand. Golf packages, pro shop, and restaurant are open to everyone. International Falls is located just fifty five miles north of the Gateway Lodgeof Orr.