South of Duluth, volunteers launched canoes and cast 4,200 pounds of wild rice seeds across the St. Louis River Estuary. The seeds will settle, sprout in spring, and help restore a plant that once dominated these waters.
Near Birch Lake Reservoir, Jeff Hanson’s mobile lab is testing a potentially proven, cost-effective method to remove sulfate from watersheds flowing into the Boundary Waters. This pollution, a byproduct of taconite mining, harms humans and contributes to toxic mercury levels in fish.
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.
Small aircraft equipped with advanced mapping technology are flying over northern Minnesota to survey geology and update maps of critical minerals. Led by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Minnesota Geological Survey, the project aims to improve understanding of resources vital for clean energy and national security. Whether the findings will encourage new mining in the region remains unclear.
A slight chill hangs in the air. Maple trees begin turning deep red at their tips. Fall settles into the BWCA, bringing solitude and silence. Our top tips to help you plan a canoe trip and enjoy one of the best times to explore the northwoods.
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.
The Gichi Onigaming Conservation Crew, part of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, upgrades infrastructure and preserves natural resources at Isle Royale National Park. They enhance the park experience for visitors through their trail projects.
Stroll Waabizheshikana—the Marten Trail in Duluth—where vibrant wildflowers meet cultural history and environmental restoration along a Lake Superior estuary.
Blue-green algae is spreading in BWCAW lakes. A $1.3 million grant will be used to study its impact. While visitors should assess their own risk, the researchers also provide tips to help limit exposure.
The Northern Lakes Scientific Advisory Panel reports that walleye in Crane Lake, gateway to Voyageurs National Park, contain four times more mercury than those in nearby unimpaired lakes. Upstream sulfate pollution from taconite mines may be to blame.
“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.”
Legislation introduced in Congress would reinstate Twin Metals Minnesota’s federal mineral leases and reverse the 20-year mining moratorium near the BWCAW.
The BWCAW isn’t the only place for unforgettable canoe-camping adventures. We’ve selected thirteen routes in the Superior National Forest, outside the designated wilderness. These routes offer excellent paddling without the need for a permit. We include maps and key details to help you plan your trip.
Federal, state, and local crews are actively cleaning up areas of environmental contamination on the Thomson Reservoir. This reservoir, which is part of the St. Louis River, plays a central role in a broader effort to repair historic industrial pollution that has long plagued the watershed and the largest river feeding into Lake Superior.
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…
The USFS has proposed increasing BWCAW recreation fees. Members of the public weighed in at an open house at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station.
Local communities, Tribal Nations, state agencies, and multiple organizations have launched a partnership to develop a regional climate response plan in northern Minnesota. With a focus on climate issues, the newly formed Northland Climate Resilience Collective was funded through a grant from NOAA.
The Minnesota DNR is looking for public comment on the possibility of reducing walleye limits in the state. They attribute this to changes in environmental and ecological conditions, combined with advancements in fishing methods. If the bag limit changes, the walleye possession would decrease from six to four fish.
While the overall number of visitors has remained steady since the pandemic, the number of visitors increased between May 1 and September 30 last year. This was largely due to a rise in day-use (non-motorized) permit reservations. Off-season visits also grew, though summer continues to draw the most traffic.
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.