Ely, Minnesota

The trail to Kawishiwi Falls begins at the parking lot and winds through a wooded trail with minimal elevation gain. There are several different vantage points of the falls that are accessible from the trail (above, below, and from the side). The trail is also part of the portage between Garden a...

This is a moderate trail, that gets a bit steep at times.  Great views of the lake and has lots of spots to stop for a quick snack.  Trail is well maintained, and there is a fun waterfall, which is great to splash around in.   The trailhead is super close to Ely, MN and has bathrooms.   Make sure...

A trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area requires some planning ahead. First, you'll need acquire a permit/reservation via recreation.gov . Specify how many people are in your group, the number of watercraft you plan to use and how many days you'll be in the BWCA. You'll also need to select a gro...

The best part of Rifle Lake is how remote it is. There's no quick way to find this small, secluded lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The lake supports just one campsite and is less than a half-mile long, according to rook.org. It is also part of the Rifle/Bridge Loop, which is a good option...

This is a great 24 mile loop if you are last minute planning or are only doing a weekend kayak/canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, MN. The starting point is at Moose Lake boat launch and parking lot, which is about a 30 minute drive north of Ely, MN on Co Hwy 18. You must obtain a permi...

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is located in the northern portion of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. What once used to be covered by glaciers is now home to approximately 1.1 million acres of land with 1,200 miles of canoe routes. Permits are required for access...

Every Autumn, Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota designates some of it's best roads as official Fall Color Routes. These roads go deep into the forest, far from towns and cell phone reception to show off the best Minnesota has to offer. Peak season is short, only a week or two sometim...

Beth Lake is part of the "Lady Chain" of lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It's secluded, serene and worth the trip, especially if you're up for an afternoon of cliff jumping.You can reach Beth Lake in half of a day, assuming you set out in the morning and are efficient with your time. But...

A trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area requires some planning ahead. First, you'll need to book a permit/reservation via recreation.gov. Specify how many people are in your group, the number of watercraft you plan to use and how many days you'll be in the BWCA. You'll also need to select a grou...

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a lesser known park along Minnesota's North Shore. There are only backcountry sites, and it's not conveniently along the scenic road, so you really have to plan on going here. This makes it quiet, peaceful, and absolutely perfect for someone looking for a li...

Getting to the parking lot:From Highway 61, turn onto MN-1 and continue for just over 4 miles. Then turn left onto Lax Lake Road. The parking lot will be on your left after about 3 miles. You will see a sign with park maps/information. The Hike:From the parking lot, follow the gravel service roa...

Getting there:From Duluth, follow Highway 61 until you reach mile marker 65 -- shortly after this you will turn left on Lake County Road 6. Continue for just over 2 miles and the trailhead parking lot will be on your right. There is a sign with mileage to nearby backpacking campsites if you want ...

Begin your trip at the Seagull Lake boat launch at Trail's End Campground. The campground, located in Superior National Forest at the very end of the Gunflint Trail, is an hour and half drive from the nearest town of Grand Marais and is a great place to stay the night before. There are no motors ...

Trail's End Campground is located at the very end of the Gunflint Trail, a remote highway that cuts into the heart of the Minnesota Northwoods. Catch the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais along Highway 61 on the North Shore of Lake Superior. From Grand Marais, you'll wind your way sixty miles along ...

After you drive past Tettegouche State Park, continue until you reach Highway 1. Turn left and continue on the road for 1.6 miles until you see a small gravel pull-off on the lefthand side of the road. Follow the path that leads to the river (easy to hear the waterfall). The trail will go past a ...

First, things first - plan your trip well! There are many details that need to go into planning even a short trip into the Boundary Waters. Various websites and companies exist to help you plan and check off all of the boxes prior to your departure date. The bwca.com website is one I found to be ...