Outbound Collective logo

10 Gorgeous photos from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, or BWCA, covers more than 1 million acres of Northeastern Minnesota along the Canadian border. This wilderness is largely untouched, with many "non-motorized-only" lakes where watercraft must be human-powered. There are over 1,200 canoe routes and 12 hiking trails, including Superior National Forest

People love to paddle and portage (carry their gear on land) between the thousands of lakes and rivers here. Check out these ten photos to get a taste of this one-of-a-kind region.

Note: Many of the listed locations share the photographers launch point (the boat landing where they started their trip) and not the specific location of the photo.

1. Lake Two

Photo by Dan Mirocha.

2. Grand Marais

Photo by Brian Washburn.


3. Rifle Lake

Photo by Dan Mirocha.


4. Grand Marais

Photo by Brian Washburn.


5. Angleworm Lake

Photo by Nate Langholz.


6. Ely

Photo by Will McKay.


7. Grand Marais

Photo by Nate Langholz.


8. Grand Marais

Photo by Will Wente.


9. Grand Marais

Photo by Will Wente.


10. Alton Lake

Photo by Dan Mirocha.

Feature image by Will Mckay.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Do you love the outdoors?

Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.

Related

Journey to Wyoming’s premier snowmobiling destination: Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Samuel Brockway

A peek through God's window

Heather Arnold

Big Bend Bound: Crafting Your 3-Day Adventure

Erin Newman-Mitchell

A golden happy hour on the California coast

Hannah Sibley