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Maps & Publications
Maps viewable online and printable maps
Whether you "hit the trail" on foot, horseback, or mountain bike, it's a good idea to do a little homework first. One excellent planning tool is a good map.
Superior National Forest has different map products available;
- USGS Topographic Maps - Scale of these maps is approximately 2.4 inches per mile. See below info on ordering.
- Forest Visitor Maps - at 1/2"=one mile scale, depict entire Ranger Districts. A set of four Forest Visitor Maps covers all six administrative units. Maps are sold at the Supervisor's Office and at all District Offices. See below info on ordering.
- Motor Vehicle Use Maps - shows the roads and trails that are open to vehicular traffic. This map contain only roads information, with limited key features. These are large files.
- Trail Maps - Electronic files which are available for download and are geo-referenced.
View a printable map in PDF format that shows major roads and ranger districts.
Ordering Maps
Phone-In Orders On-line Visitor and Topo Map Orders
Credit card sales are accepted over the phone.
Interactive Maps and Apps
For an interactive, online map of the Superior National Forest with icons showing recreation sites, please visit our recreation pages.
Interactive Visitor Map shows recreation areas and roads on all national forests. The map is now available for mobile download, look for "Visitor Map: Map of Forest Service Lands".
For detailed maps of lakes in Minnesota, including the Superior National Forest, try the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' lakefinder website.
These GeoPDF trail maps can be downloaded onto a mobile device for use with a wayfinding app. The wayfinding app will then display your location on the trail system without the need for cell service or a wifi connection. Maps can also be printed out as a hard copy; we recommend that you always bring a hard copy map along as batteries can die and phones can be broken. These maps are only of the trails, they do not include information on how to get there or other information about the area. For additional info, see the webpage for the trail, or get a Recreational Opportunity Guide from the links above.
The maps are created using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The USDA Forest Service uses the most current and complete data available. GIS data and product accuracy may vary. Using GIS products for purposes other than those for which they were intended may yield inaccurate or misleading results. The USDA Forest Service reserves the right to correct, update, modify or replace GIS products without notification.
Gunflint Ranger District:
- Bally Creek Ski Trails
- Norpine Ski Trails
- Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
- Pincushion Mountain Fat Tire Bike Trails
Tofte Ranger District:
Isabella Area (Tofte Ranger District):
Birding Location Maps:
MVUM, Visitor, and Topographical Maps
Click on a heading below to find out more about these products.
Using the index map below, find the area in which you'll be riding and follow the link to view, print, or download the portion of the Motor Vehicle Use Map which covers that area.
Printed copies of the Motor Vehicle Use Map are available upon request at Superior National Forest offices or at many local businesses.
Downloaded copies of the Motor Vehicle Use Map are now geo-referenced for use with smart phone wayfinding apps and some GPS devices! Use your phone to find out where you are and what use is permitted on the road.
Do not rely on phones or other devices as a primary navigational or use determining tool, always carry a paper copy of the map and a compass, and know how to use them.
- Be sure to read the important information regarding OHV use located on each map near the legend.
Links to Download or View Motor Vehicle Use Map
- Vermilion River Area and Virginia Area
- Border Area and Ely Area
- Toimi Area and Isabella Area
- Upper Trail Area and Grand Marais Area
"Topographic Maps" provide the greatest level of detail and only cover small portions of a forest. The maps are available for download or purchase from the US Geological Survey website.
These maps are at a scale of 2.64 inches equals 1 mile and are in a 7 ½’ latitude by 7 ½’ longitude quadrangle format. They were derived from the U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Quadrangles, are highly detailed, and serve as the base for all other Superior National Forest maps. Topography is shown with a contour interval of 10 or 20 feet or 5 meters.
Topographical maps show topography of an area, boundaries between private and federal land, most roads and trails, and all water systems. For a map that shows the most up-to-date road and motorized trail information see the information on obtaining a Motor Vehicle Use Map.
The 2018 edition includes the entire Forest with the western portion on one side and the eastern portion of the Forest on the other side. Features on the map include the road system, lakes, streams, recreation areas, ownership, points of interest, and other information beneficial to Forest visitors. Maps are printed on water and tear resistant paper.
Forest Recreation Map: "Visitor Maps" for each national forest and grassland provide forest-wide information on attractions, facilities, services, and opportunities. These maps are available to purchase from any Forest office or the US Geological Survey website.
This is a map of the entire Forest at a scale of ½ inch equals 1 (one) mile.
The forest visitor maps show property boundaries, private and public land, recreation areas and day use areas, major roads and towns, and major water systems. These maps DO NOT show all existing Forest Service roads. For a map that shows the most up to date road and motorized trail information see the information on obtaining a Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Trails
Camping
Gunflint Ranger District
- Devil Track Lake Campground
- East Bearskin Lake Campground
- Flour Lake Campground
- Iron Lake Campground
- Kimball Lake Campground
- Trail's End Campground
- Two Island Lake Campground
Kawishiwi Ranger District
LaCroix Ranger District
Laurentian Ranger District
Tofte Ranger District
Kawishiwi Ranger District
- Kawishiwi Ranger District
- Big Lake and Agassa Lake
- Birch Lake
- Circle Route
- Ojibway Lake and Triangle Lake
- Tofte Lake and Glacier Ponds 1 & 2
LaCroix Ranger District
Laurentian Ranger District
Tofte Ranger District
Recreation Opportunity Guides
Click on the links below to access Recreational Opportunity Guides - ROGs for short - offered by the Superior National Forest. These short, printable PDF documents offer a quick, "grab and go" reference for your next trip to the Superior National Forest.
These ROGs are overviews of subjects, or they cover subjects where the information is the same in all areas of the Forest. For example, the forest-wide Camping ROG is an overview on all types of camping. The forest-wide Berry picking ROG gives the information on berry picking which is the same throughout the forest.
For information on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness go to BWCAW
- Forest-wide Angler Ethics
- Forest-wide Berry Picking
- Forest-wide Camping
- Forest-wide Canoeing (not in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness)
- Forest-wide Cross Country Skiing
- Forest-wide Heritage
- Forest-wide Hiking
- Forest-wide Holiday Greenery
- Forest-wide Hunting
- Forest-wide Off-Highway Vehicle Use
- Forest-wide Snowmobiling
- East Zone Birding
- West Zone Birding
- Superior National Forest Bird Checklist
LaCroix Ranger District
Kawishiwi Ranger District
Laurentian Ranger District
Gunflint Ranger District
LaCroix Ranger District
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents:
Click here to view project documents produced under the direction of the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Superior National Forest plans and implements projects to achieve the goals and objectives in the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Project planning includes public involvement and disclosure of environmental effects as appropriate under direction of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Please see the project planning webpage for project planning documents.