Superior National Forest
Come visit us!
The Superior National Forest has so many different types of recreational and visitor opportunities for all interests, ages, and abilities. From paddling, to hiking, to RV camping, or ATV riding, you are sure to find fun and adventure here!
Superior National Forest in Minnesota's Arrowhead
Your Northland National Forest
Established in 1909, the three-million acre Superior National Forest is the largest national forest east of the Mississippi River. The Forest is located at the southernmost edge of the boreal forest ecosystem and is home to thousands of clean lakes, rocky landscapes, iconic megafauna, colorful fall foliage and has a rich cultural history. Within the bounds of the Forest is the beloved one million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Bordered by Canada, Lake Superior and Voyageurs National Park, there's truly a superior experience waiting for you.
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Recreation
Whatever you love to do, come explore with us.
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Camping
From cabins to backcountry camping or Wilderness camping, find your place under the stars on the Forest.
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Employment
Apply for a wide variety of positions on the Forest.
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Plan Ahead for Your Trip
Recent News
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Memorandum of Understanding between the Superior National Forest and three northern Minnesota Bands is now available on-line
Release Date: May 26, 2023 Duluth, Minn
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Warmer temperatures help open up recreation areas across the Superior National Forest
Release Date: May 18, 2023 Duluth, Minn
Features
New staircase creates long-lasting passage for visitors to the BWCAW
Within the Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness attracts thousands of visitors every year who rely on hundreds of portage trails as they travel its pristine waters. Portages are human-made structures such as wooden staircases designed to minimize erosion over steep terrain as they create paths between waterbodies in the wilderness.
A Century Later, Arthur Carhart’s Recreation Plan for the Superior

On November 8, 1922, Regional Forester A.S. Peck approved a recreation plan for the Superior National Forest drafted and submitted in May 1922 by Arthur Carhart (1892-1978), a young landscape architect from Iowa that worked for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from 1919-1923.