Mid-spring · Weather & things to do
Grand Marais in April
Grand Marais warms up: highs climb to 49°F (10°C), from 35°F in March, with lows of 31°F (-1°C) and about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 59/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 49°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 31°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (62 mm)
- Humidity
- 74%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 24 min
- Comfort score
- 59/100 · Fair
What April feels like
Cool days top out near 49°F (10°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Average lows of 31°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Some rain is likely, about 2.4 in (62 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around April
April sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by May, lows rise to 42°F.
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 8°C (14°F) from March.
- Comfort improves from 48/100 in March to 59/100.
- Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so April falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for April
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 31°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Grand Marais in April
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Cascade River State Park
Short loop past stepped waterfalls in a narrow gorge just off Hwy 61.
Artist's Point
Rocky basalt spit behind the Coast Guard station leading to the harbor lighthouse breakwall.
Lutsen Mountains Summit Express Gondola
Gondola ride over the Poplar River valley to Moose Mountain's lake views.
North House Folk School
Harborfront school for traditional crafts, with short classes and sails on the schooner Hjordis.
Sven & Ole's
Long-running pizza joint with the Pickle Herring pub attached.
Nearby in April
- Duluth in April~106 mi · highs 49°F, 2.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in April~237 mi · highs 56°F, 3.2 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Door County in April~242 mi · highs 47°F, 3.1 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in April~290 mi · highs 41°F, 3.2 in rain · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~468 m to Grand Marais's ~186 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Grand Marais in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Grand Marais?
It's middling, scoring 59/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 83. Expect highs of 49°F (10°C) and 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so April is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Grand Marais in April?
Average highs are 49°F (10°C) and average lows 31°F (-1°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Grand Marais in April?
Some: about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain falls across April on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.5 in (723 mm).
What should I pack for Grand Marais in April?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 31°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Grand Marais
Planning Grand Marais in April?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.