THINGS TO DO
Activities at Norway Beach Resort are endless with our National Forest setting. Most guests take advantage of the free Forest Service lectures at the Norway Beach Visitor Center – a rare opportunity to hear about the forest and its inhabitants from the professionals who manage the Chippewa National Forest. Do you know the difference between an eagle and an osprey? A National Forest and a National Park? Here’s your chance to find out!
The area is dotted with 250-year-old virgin Norway pines and we have excellent hiking for young and old alike. The Forest Service maintains hiking trails that start just steps from the resort. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of the deep woods.
www.traillink.com/city/cass-lake-mn-trails/
If you would rather ride than walk, bring your bike for a crisp evening or early morning ride. The Norway Beach road system is blacktop and entry to the Migizi Trail is right at our back door! This beautiful trail is named for the bald eagle, “migizi” in Ojibwe language. Dedicated in 2003, the Migizi Trail circles Pike Bay on a paved loop through the big red pines of the original Ten Section of the Chippewa National Forest. Pike Bay is connected to the south end of Cass Lake. The 18-mile trail travels through old growth conifer and northern hardwoods, across wetlands and streams and along the Pike Bay lakeshore. The length of trail allows access to a variety of habitats in which to view wildlife and wildflowers.
A popular hiking and biking state trail, the Heartland, completes the loop on the western boundary and runs into the town of Cass Lake. Although it parallels Highway 371 for a little shy of three miles, the Heartland segment also provides wildlife watching opportunities and numerous wildflowers may be seen along the way.
www.traillink.com/cityactivity/cass-lake-mn-bike-trails/
Wildlife to Watch: People often make a special trip to the Chippewa National Forest to observe bald eagles. Because it is home to the largest population of breeding bald eagles in the Lower 48, eagles are commonly seen along the trail, as are herons, pelicans, and osprey.
Canoeing is great at Norway Beach Resort. And why wouldn’t it be? With the headwaters of the Mississippi flowing both into and out of Cass Lake we have easy access to some of the best canoeing for both the experienced and the amateur adventurer. You provide the ambition, we provide the canoes, paddles, and life vests at no cost.
A variety of outdoor activities are provided, including basketball, volleyball, horseshoes and shuffleboard. Canoes, hydro-bikes and a variety of other water sport equipment is also available to guests at no charge.
Other activities include golf at three area courses. The Cass Lake Logging Museum and Information Center is well worth a visit. Our area is rich in American heritage from lumberjacks to fur trappers, and more. Don’t forget to stop at the Chippewa National Forest Headquarters Building in Cass Lake. It boasts a spectacular log structure that you won’t see anywhere else. It’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.
The Cass Lake Palace Casino is just minutes from the resort and offers a Las Vegas-style casino with a friendly Northwoods atmosphere.
Itasca State Park, the headwaters of the Mississippi, is less than an hour away.
We are less than 30 minutes from both Walker and Bemidji with their many fine shops and restaurants.
If the above description sounds like the type of resort where you and your family would like to enjoy a relaxing vacation, call early for a reservation at 218.335.8857.
