Secret/Blackstone Lake Trail

The Secret/Black Stone Trail is a trail system with loops that are 2 and 3 miles long. The trail is ideal for taking a short hike with small children or a longer, more rugged overnight trip.

The shorelines of either Blackstone or Secret Lakes are a great place to rest and relax. Numerous scenic overlooks ranging from 30 to 80 feet above Secret, Blackstone, Ennis Lakes and several small ponds are also interesting places to sit and enjoy the sites and sounds of nature or enjoy a picnic lunch.

Hepaticas, wood lilies, and more than 50 other wildflowers and shrubs can be found along the trail. Black throated blue warblers and blackbacked woodpeckers can occasionally be seen. There are cedar groves in the low lands and white and red pine on the ridges.

Bring a pair of binoculars to watch beavers haul aspen branches across the lakes to their lodges and painted turtles sunbathing. You may also be able to catch a look at climbers rappelling off the cliffs near Ennis Lake.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

50160A

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Features

Scenic overlooks of small lakes
One backcountry campsite
Opportunity to see the changing forest after the 1999 Blowdown
Blackstone Loop 2.1 miles, Secret Loop 3.1 miles, to Ennis and back 3 miles
Opportunities for viewing wildlife

Safety

You have the responsibility to be adequately prepared for a trip in the wilderness with

good footwear,
ample water,
emergency supplies, and
sufficient time to make the trip.

You should be self sufficient: there is no cell phone coverage, and due to the nature of the trail, there is no easy way to get assistance in, nor any easy way to get people out in emergencies.

Travel

A compass and accurate map are essential.
Bring reliable maps. Maps can be purchased at some Forest Service offices, area businesses and outfitters, or directly from the map companies.
If you get lost, don’t panic. Sit down, relax and think. Chances are that you will figure out your location in a few minutes.
If you plan to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigating, be sure you also bring a map and compass as a back up in case your GPS unit fails.
Dress in layers and be prepared for every kind of weather situation.

Boil or filter your water.

When visiting, please remember

Trails are for non-motorized use only.
Only use facilities that are provided.

Pets/Dogs

Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, as long as they are kept on a leash. Unleashed dogs can pose a danger to your pet, the natural resources of the area, and other forest visitors.
Do not allow them to interact with wildlife.

Address: 1393 Highway 169 Ely, MN 55731
Phone: (218) 365-7600
Hours: October 1, 2025-April 30, 2026, Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. No BWCAW permit issuance and no Eastern National Forest Interpretative Association retail sales products. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov