Fry Fire now 100% contained
A 72-acre prescribed burn was in progress just south of the BWCA, and declared a wildfire when a spot fire started beyond the planned burn area.
Editor
Nan Onkka: inspired by Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters
Grand Marais printmaker Nan Onkka finds inspiration in the northwoods: “The beauty, the rawness, the timelessness of the wilderness is so totally different from agricultural landscapes or urban recreational areas. I think everyone deserves the chance to experience that, and I hope that we are able to continue to protect the waters and the woods of these wild places.”
Tread lightly: reducing impact from hiking, biking, road and trail use
Spring thaw means roads and trails in northern MN may be muddy and more vulnerable to erosion. Visitors can follow Tread Lightly principles now and throughout the season while enjoying the outdoors.
Teens enter essay contest for chance to win “no parents” BWCA trip
The entry deadline is just a few days away. The writer of the winning essay receives a parent-free, fully outfitted five-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for themselves and up to three friends.
Winners of 2023 Boundary Waters Photo Contest
Each year the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness receives thousands of submissions…
Photo gallery: Fall colors in Minnesota’s north woods
The fall color report for Northern Minnesota: absolutely stunning. Check out our favorite spots and tips for leaf-watching off the beaten path…
Spice Lake Wildfire in Boundary Waters Canoe Area
A wildfire is currently burning near the end of the Gunflint Trail in the BWCAW. The US Forest Service says the fire was detected between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The Ely Winter Festival: winter magic at the edge of the BWCA
Discover the magic of winter at the edge of the Boundary Waters. The Ely Winter Festival is in full swing with snow sculptures, arts and activities set against an unforgettable northwoods landscape.
Last-minute gift ideas: Boundary Waters books
Looking for a gift for a paddler or outdoorsy-type? Ready to plan next year’s wilderness adventure? No matter your age or experience level, here are a few of our favorites…
Winter in Quetico Provincial Park
Picture towering pines silhouetted against a dazzling blue sky, and a layer of new snow spilling from the branches. Think Quetico is just for canoeing?
Boundary Waters Wildfires 2021
Superior Hiking Trail closed, Boundary Waters closed due to fires. Updated maps, photos from fires in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest as official information is available. Greenwood Fire grows, Moose Lake Fire detected…
Wilderness Voices: John A. Spelman III, Artist and Printmaker
One artist’s view of our impact on a place casts light on the wilderness nearby.
Coloring Page: Caribou Lake, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
What makes the Boundary Waters so inspiring? This coloring page has us looking forward to pine-studded shorelines, long days of fishing, and embarking on new adventures.
Young creators know their fish, inspire others to go fishing, combat invasive species
A fish art contest invites K-12 students to learn about fish, fishing, and the threats of Aquatic Invasive Species in their region and around the world.
The Superior Hiking Trail Story
‘Superior’ photography, history of the trail and its devotees, the story of the 310 mile route is told by personal notes left along the way…
Book Review: One Summer Up North
Follow a family canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, from entry point to last day on the water, that is beyond words…
Honoring Janice Matichuk, legendary Quetico Ranger
On August 5, 2020 we lost a wilderness legend. An ambassador to the backcountry, a passionate voice for Quetico Provincial Park, a trailblazer, a source of knowledge, a true hero. “What …
Remembering Wilderness Hero Bud Heinselman
“Bud is one of our greatest and least recognized heroes. A giant figure in the battle for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness…”
Poem: Rocky Shores
What Wilderness Means to Me Series Submission: “Rocky shores, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, full moon paddles and islands alone, Boundary Waters you are my throne. Great wilderness of untold stories, nature is proof of your glory…”
Feeling separated from canoe country? Ways to connect with wilderness from a safe distance.
Stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations mean that most of us can’t head ‘up north’ right now, and uncertainty hovers over the next few months. How do we stay connected ‘virtually’ to the places we love?