Superior National Forest
Spring! Coming to the Forest Soon!
With days growing longer and warming temperatures and rain help to melt the snow, the Superior National Forest is ready and excited for spring! Come visit us as our trees bud out; winter migrating birds return; hibernating animal species awaken; and our rivers, lakes, trails, and camping areas open for recreational fun.
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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Winter Recreation
Learn more about winter recreation on the Forest.
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Wilderness
Explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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Employment
Apply for a wide variety of positions on the Forest.
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Plan Ahead for Your Trip
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 humanmade structures such as wooden staircases designed to minimize erosion over steep terrain as they create paths between waterbodies in the wilderness.
Biden-Harris Administration Protects Boundary Waters Area Watershed

National Forest System lands in northern Minnesota withdrawn from future mineral leasing
January 26, 2023
Released by the Bureau of Land Management
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden-Harris administration took action to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounding watershed, a spectacular network of rivers, lakes and forests in northeastern Minnesota that comprise the most heavily visited wilderness area in the United States.