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Recreation
Cannabis Use on National Forest System Lands
While recreational cannabis use may be legal in the State of Minnesota, effective August 1, 2023, the Chippewa and Superior National Forests officials are reminding visitors that it is illegal on National Forest System lands. For more detailed information visit our Alerts and Notices page.
Explore the Superior National Forest
2,000 miles of trails designed for hiking, hunting, riding and more. The Forest offers an expansive variety of ways to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
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Water Activities
So many lakes and rivers. So much fun to be had on the water!
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Wilderness
Explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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Safety
Plan ahead and Prepare for a safe and fun experience!
Plan Your Trip
Current Recreation Conditions
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness | Open | Previous Fires
|
| Gunflint Winter Recreation Trails | None | See individual trail webpages for links to current conditions. |
| Isabella Area Winter Recreation Trails | None | See individual trail webpages for links to current conditions. |
| Kawishiwi Winter Recreation Trails | None | See individual trail webpages for links to current conditions. |
| LaCroix Winter Recreation Trails | None | See individual trail webpages for links to current conditions. |
| Laurentian Winter Recreation Trails | None | See individual trail webpages for links to current conditions. |
| Sturgeon River Trail | None | In June of 2018, a regularly scheduled bridge inspection was conducted on the Sturgeon River Trail bridges, and one was found to be unsafe for continued use and beyond reasonable repair. The Forest Service has officially removed the bridge. As a result, the portion of the Sturgeon River Trail system located between Forest Road 279 and Junction 4 will be closed indefinitely. In the winter, visit a third party site such as Skinny Ski for current ski trail conditions. |
| Tofte Winter Recreation Trails | None | See individual trail webpages for links to current conditions. |
| Wills Lake Hunter Walking Trails | None | Trails are always open. See MN DNR for hunting seasons |
Spotlights
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Established in 1964 as Federally Designated Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is over one million acres of rugged and remote boreal forest in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota.
The BWCAW extends nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary, adjacent to Canada’s Quetico and La Verendrye Provincial Parks, is bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park, and by Grand Portage National Monument to the east. The BWCAW contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and 2,000 designated campsites. The BWCAW is composed of lakes, islands, rocky outcrops and forest.
The BWCAW is the only large temperate lake-land wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System and is renowned for its water-based recreational opportunities. The sculpting of the landscape by powerful glaciers over an immense period of time has left behind a variety of landforms and rocks as well as thousands of lakes and streams, interspersed with islands. This network of connecting waterbodies provides unique opportunities for long distance travel by watercraft—a rare experience within the continental United States.
The area’s status as a wilderness allows visitors to travel and camp in the spirit of those that came before them centuries ago. The entire wilderness lies within 1854 Ceded Territory. Members of the Boise Forte Band of Chippewa, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa retain the right to hunt, fish, trap, and gather within the Territory in perpetuity.
Prepare for your Wilderness Trip
Successful trips don't just happen. Plan ahead for the BWCAW! Visitors can find solitude, adventure, risk, and excitement but the trip planning begins months before entering the Wilderness.
The BWCA Wilderness is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. High visitation translates to the potential for impacts to natural resources. We need your help treading lightly on the Wilderness; to keep it full of solitude and pristine for future visitors like you.
Prior to reserving your permit, please review the following to ensure a wilderness trip is right for you:
Be aware that wilderness has inherent dangers, and is a primitive setting where you meet nature on its own terms. Trails are not well marked, if they are marked at all. If you are a newcomer to camping, or even an experienced backpacker, but not canoe camper, consider camping outside of the BWCAW on one of the 254 backcountry sites on the Forest, or one of our free rustic campgrounds. There you can experience many of the same things as you do in the Wilderness, but without the need for permits and with easier access to emergency services.
