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!

Explore!

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.

  • Recreation

    Ninemile Campground Fee Station

    Whatever you love to do, come explore with us.

  • Camping

    Crescent Lake Campground Sites 1 - 5

    From cabins to backcountry camping or Wilderness camping, find your place under the stars on the Forest.

  • Employment

    Employee giving a conservation education program

    Apply for a wide variety of positions on the Forest.

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.

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A Century Later, Arthur Carhart’s Recreation Plan for the Superior

First rapids on Kawishiwi River above the forks of the stream

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.

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