Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Vacations

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Active and Adventure Destinations Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Midwest Active and Adventure States/Provinces

Active and Adventure Travel Destinations
Fenske Lake in Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Minnesota
Fenske Lake on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Minnesota (James Randklev/Photographer's Choice/Getty)

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin
  • The three-day Pine Creek Loop in the BWCA's southwest unit is a classic paddle for quiet and solitude. Because Vermillion and Trout Lakes flanking the entry portage are congested with motorized boats, you’ll quickly abandon these lakes for a motor-free area with startlingly low visitation.
  • Top out in Minnesota by ascending 2301-foot Eagle Mountain. The seven-mile round-trip hike can be tackled in both summer and winter (with snowshoes). It gets a little gnarly in the winter, so navigation is key when the trail is snowed under.
  • Be a spectator (if not a participant) in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, held each January. The 490-mile race has several checkpoints on the North Shore between Tofte and the Grand Portage finish line.
  • Explore the eastern terminus of the rugged Kekekabic Trail, near the end of the Gunflint Trail at mile 48. The Kekekabic is tough to follow in the summer and even tougher in the winter, but the six-mile out-and-back hike to Bingshick Lake is worth the effort.

Hotels

Smitty's on Snowbank
14564 Snow Lodge Rod.
Ely, MN 55731
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 15.2 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Silver Rapids Lodge
459 Kawishiwi Tr.
Ely, MN
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 25.0 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Gunflint Pines Resort and Campground
217 South Gunflint Lake Rd.
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 24.1 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Hotels
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Brandenburg Gallery
11 E. Sheridan St.
Ely, Minnesota Map
Distance: 30.3 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Brandenburg Gallery houses the works of... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite attraction
International Wolf Center
1396 Hwy. 169
Ely, Minnesota 55731 Map
Distance: 27.7 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The International Wolf Center's mission is to... Read More
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite attraction
Soudan Underground Mine
20 miles east of Ely on Hwy. 1
P.O. Box 335
Soudan, Minnesota 55782 Map
Distance: 48.1 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Soudan Underground Mine, opened in 1882, is... Read More
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Attractions

Feature Articles

More Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Feature Articles (102)
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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Travel Guides

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