Holly Scherer 
Tucked into a red pine plantation south of Ely, the Birch Lake Plantation Trail offers an easy, scenic hike in warmer months and groomed cross-country skiing in winter. Rolling terrain, towering pines, and a quiet aspen grove make this trail a surprisingly rewarding stop year-round.
If giant ridges flanked with red and white pines towering over crystal-clear, undeveloped lakes sound like your happy place, make sure to visit the Bass Lake Trail. The elevation changes and rocky footing makes this rewarding for experienced hikers, while the varying route options make it accessible for families and those with less experience. Hike, snowshoe or paddle, for a true choose-your-own-adventure.
Hiking the Kadunce River canyon is a magical experience any time of year, and that’s a big part of what makes it a Minnesota North Shore bucket list hike. From enchanted forests to tumbling waterfalls and all the life that thrives on land, water, and in between.
Hike to scenic vistas with fabulous foraging. Known as the Cove Point Loop, this six-mile lollipop loop section was built in 1996. While the trail begins across Highway 61 from the lodge, there’s no public parking on-site. Cove Point Lodge guests can walk across Highway 61 to access the trail. If you’re not staying at the lodge, consider these two alternative routes…
Sometimes the best adventures aren’t planned months in advance. On a whim, we secured a Boundary Waters permit and found ourselves paddling through Minnesota’s cliff-lined lakes. From calm waters and rugged portages to surprise sunsets and rainstorms, this last-minute trip reminded us that every BWCA journey holds its own unforgettable magic.
High above Duluth, thousands of raptors soar past Hawk Ridge each year during migration season. From bald eagles to kestrels, this world-class birding destination offers unforgettable views, expert-led programs, and hiking trails surrounded by fall color. Here’s how to plan your visit to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory.
Think it’s too late to plan a Boundary Waters trip? Think again. With the right maps, resources, and a little flexibility, you can plan an unforgettable last-minute BWCA adventure. From securing permits to packing smart, here’s how to make it happen.
The Eighteen Lake and Divide Lake Trails can be found in the Superior National Forest, not too far from Highway 1 near Isabella. Its possible to hike both trails in a day and enjoy the Boundary Waters landscape and end the day with a sunset picnic.
Sometimes the best adventures aren’t planned at all. A spontaneous trip to the Finland State Forest proves that trading schedules for spontaneity can lead to the most memorable escapes. With hundreds of first-come, first-served campsites scattered across northeast Minnesota, it’s easy to find a quiet place along the Baptism River or a trailhead on the Superior Hiking Trail. Rainy mornings with coffee, afternoons full of berries and birdsong, and evenings by the fire show why the Northwoods is perfect for a last-minute reset.
Stroll Waabizheshikana—the Marten Trail in Duluth—where vibrant wildflowers meet cultural history and environmental restoration along a Lake Superior estuary.
“If you hike the trail out and back, as we did, the hike will be approximately three miles and take one to two hours… After our hike, it was time for the real reason we drove four hours north—to swim in a crisp, clean, north country lake.”
Test your gear before every trip, consider your backup plan, treat your list like Santa, prepare for bad weather, and a few more mistakes we’ve learned from the hard way…
Dreaming of a family camping trip but want to ensure it’s fun for everyone? Check out these tips to make your next trip your best trip.
There are no shortage of epic beaches and overlooks along Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Here are three that should not be missed.
Just 40 miles from Ely, Lake Jeanette offers opportunities for secluded camping, swimming, paddling, and fishing. The Astrid Trail is accessed from the campground, with more than seven miles of hiking and connects four smaller but equally gorgeous lakes.
Explore two stunning trails on the western end of Minnesota’s arrowhead region, first the two-mile Pine Ridges Trail in Tower, MN. Then a hike amongst towering cedars, which date to the 1800s and were spared from logging.
Quiet, solitude, and roughing it – if you enjoy camping in beautiful places and don’t need a lot of amenities, Minnesota’s State Forest campgrounds might be the perfect fit for you.
The Timber-Frear is located about 15 miles northwest of Tofte in Superior National Forest. If you make the trek, consider extending your trip to explore additional camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing opportunities in the area. The route is about 10 miles long and can be explored as a day trip.
With rushing waterfalls and impressive potholes, hike one of the North Shore’s trails along the Temperance River, to surprising vistas of Lake Superior.
Tucked along winding, remote roads throughout Minnesota’s Arrowhead region are five fabulous state forests. Together, these five forests tout nearly 1.6 million acres of recreational land where you can camp, paddle, hike, hunt, fish, picnic, and cross-country ski. And unlike the other wonderful places I mentioned previously, these hidden gems are lesser known and see fewer visitors.