Permit reservations open on Jan 28. Planning a trip to the BWCA and not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help plan your canoe trip and secure your permit so you can create memories that last a lifetime.
We’re revisiting our most-viewed posts of 2025! Throughout the year, we shared important updates on ongoing protection and preservation efforts in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Popular stories highlighted conservation initiatives, revealed hidden spots to explore, and provided updates for crossing remote areas along the Minnesota–Canada border.
Once a network of logging roads, the Banadad Ski Trail has become a beloved winter route through the BWCAW. Groomed since the early 1980s and maintained by volunteers, the 27-kilometer trail connects skiers to both the region’s past and its quiet, snow-covered present.
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.
Cinematographer Alex Horner captures the wild beauty of watersheds near the proposed Twin Metals mine, just south of the Boundary Waters. His short films document what could be lost if copper-nickel mining reshapes one of Minnesota’s most pristine regions.
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…
Just north of Lower Basswood Falls in the BWCA, a striking set of pictographs appears on a granite wall, one of at least forty sites scattered across the wilderness. These culturally significant images connect deeply to the history of the Anishinaabe people, who regard this land as sacred.
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.
Scientists and environmentalists regard estuaries as some of the most biologically diverse yet endangered ecosystems on Earth. A new film, Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior, highlights both the human impact and ongoing restoration of North America’s largest freshwater estuary.
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.
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.
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.
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…
For those who truly want to get off the beaten path, the BWCAW’s twelve Primitive Management Areas (PMAs) offer the most remote and untouched wilderness experience. Exploring these areas involves risk and demands strong outdoor skills with proper planning. Help may be hours or even days away, and local resources are limited.
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.
Tucked deep within Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, just miles from the Canadian border, the Sioux-Hustler Hiking Trail offers a truly remote experience. This 32-mile loop winds through rugged boreal forest, quiet lakes, and historic logging paths, giving hikers a rare opportunity to experience true solitude. Learn more about the experience and tips for planning your adventure.
Experience Minnesota’s dark skies during International Dark Sky Week, April 21-28. Minnesota is home to two certified dark-sky sanctuaries – the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.
Waterfalls and cascades appear throughout many parts of the BWCAW. These natural features, often found between lakes and rivers, add excitement and beauty for paddlers and anglers exploring by canoe. Many portage trails follow these dynamic stretches of moving water. In fact, these waterfalls are a big reason portages exist in the first place.
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.