The North Star State
Minnesota
Boundary Waters canoe wilderness, boreal forest, and the most pristine lake country in North America.
Minnesota at a Glance
Boundary Waters
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness contains over 1 million acres with 1,200 miles of canoe routes through 1,100 lakes and streams
Boreal Forest
Superior National Forest contains the largest boreal forest in the lower 48, with billions of spruce, fir, birch, and aspen trees
Wolves and Moose
The Boundary Waters region supports the densest wolf population in the lower 48 and a significant portion of Minnesota's moose population
Wilderness Protection
The BWCA has been protected from motorized use since 1978, making it one of the most strictly managed wilderness areas in the country
Superior Hiking Trail
The 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail follows the Lake Superior ridge through Superior National Forest, one of the premier long trails in the Midwest
Northern Lights
The Boundary Waters is one of the best places in the lower 48 to view the aurora borealis on clear nights from September through March
When to Visit
June through September for paddling and hiking. Fall color (late September through mid-October) in the boreal forest is spectacular. Winter offers world-class cross-country skiing and snowshoeing from December through March.
Top Activities
Gateway Cities
Ely
The 'canoe capital of America' sits at the edge of the Boundary Waters, with dozens of outfitters offering equipment rental and guided trips into the wilderness.
Grand Marais
Lake Superior port city near the Gunflint Trail and the Superior Hiking Trail's northern terminus, with access to the boreal ridge country.
Walker
Gateway to Chippewa National Forest and Leech Lake, with access to the forest's inland lake district and the Mississippi River headwaters corridor.
Did You Know?
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the most visited wilderness area in the United States, with about 150,000 visitors per year.
Minnesota has 11,842 lakes larger than 10 acres, though the state's famous '10,000 lakes' slogan actually undercounts them.
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from its headwaters at Itasca State Park to the Gulf of Mexico, starting inside Chippewa National Forest.
Chippewa National Forest has the largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48, with over 150 active nests.
The Gunflint Trail north of Grand Marais is one of the most dramatic forest drives in the Midwest, ending at the Canadian border wilderness.