Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Active and Adventure Destinations In or Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Travel Guides In or Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area

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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)
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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By 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.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Within Minnesota's Superior National Forest lies the renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). This labyrinth of lakes and rock has been specifically protected as a true American wilderness; no roads, powerlines, or motorized craft may enter its borders, so the Boundary Waters has changed little since its unveiling when the glaciers melted 10,000 years ago. Over one million acres in size, the BWCAW extends nearly 150 miles along the Canadian border adjacent to Quetico Provincial Park. Read More

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Join the discussion with Away.com's in-house experts in our travel Q&A.

1 Questions | 1 Answers
  • What is the best spot to camp in the BWCA that can be driven to? We have a group of 10-20 men and their sons. A church group. That have been looking at doing a wilderness retreat in the BWCA region. We are looking for a great spot to drive to, camp, do some hiking and sight seeing. And potentially canoe and fish a little. Basically a get away...
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Hotels

Smitty's on Snowbank

14564 Snow Lodge Rod.
Ely, MN 55731 Map

Distance: 15.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Silver Rapids Lodge

459 Kawishiwi Tr.
Ely, MN Map

Distance: 25.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Gunflint Pines Resort and Campground

217 South Gunflint Lake Rd.
Grand Marais, MN 55604 Map

Distance: 24.1 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
3.0
3.0
All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Hotels »
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Attractions

Brandenburg Gallery

expert favorite attraction
11 E. Sheridan St.
Ely, Minnesota

Distance: 30.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Brandenburg Gallery houses the works of renowned nature photographer Jim Brandenburg. The... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

International Wolf Center

expert favorite attraction
1396 Hwy. 169
Ely, Minnesota 55731

Distance: 27.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The International Wolf Center's mission is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
4_0

Soudan Underground Mine

expert favorite attraction
20 miles east of Ely on Hwy. 1
P.O. Box 335
Soudan, Minnesota 55782

Distance: 48.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Soudan Underground Mine, opened in 1882, is Minnesota's first iron ore mine. Today, it offers a... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
4_0
All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Distance (mi.)
Minneapolis St Paul International Airport 231.0 map

Other Smaller Airports near Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Distance (mi.)
Hibbing Chisholm Airport 84.7 map
Duluth International Airport 89.1 map
International Falls Falls International Airport 109.5 map

Flight Deals to Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Originating From
Milwaukee (MKE) to Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) $104
Chicago (CHI) to Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) $126
Atlanta (ATL) to Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) $169
Orlando (ORL) to Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) $176
New York City (NYC) to Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) $178

Feature Articles

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