Things to Do in Minnesota's North Lakes District

Often heralded as the platonic ideal of pristine, untouched wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (a.k.a. the BWCA, or “The Boundary Waters”) is a bucket-list destination for many outdoors enthusiasts, especially paddlers. With 1,200 miles of canoe routes tucked between islands, craggy rock formations and towering forests, the Boundary Waters is one of the most peaceful places in the country. (A ban on motorized vehicles and restricted permits for visitors helps maintain the quiet.)

As a bonus, it’s Minnesota’s first designated Dark Sky Sanctuary, which means you’ll experience unbelievable stargazing and, if you’re lucky, the aurora borealis.

A mention of a Boundary Waters trip can draw a flotilla’s worth of unsolicited advice — from gear to campsites, everyone feels that “their” version of the Boundary Waters is best. But the real secret is creating your own adventure. Whether you want to portage your way through a large swath or set up a single campsite and venture out on day trips, our beginner’s guide to the Boundary Waters has all the info you need to get started.

Want to put your metaphorical (or literal) toe in but not commit to a full-blown portage-and-tent situation? See our suggestions for visiting the Boundary Waters without camping.

“Lake Life” is a state of mind. For Minnesotans, summer is synonymous with an annual trip to one of the state’s many resorts — from big, amenity-laden lodges to charming mom-and-pop retreats.

Explore Voyageurs National Park from the comfort of The Pines of Kabetogama, take the kids ziplining at Ludlow’s Island Resort on Lake Vermilion, or fish for walleye off the shores of Arnesen’s Rocky Point Resort on Lake of the Woods. In a plugged-in world, the simplicity of jumping into a cold, clear lake remains blissfully, nostalgically joyful — no screens allowed (or needed).

See our favorite lake resorts.

More than 30% of Voyageurs National Park’s 218,000 acres is water. From above, it looks almost otherworldly — rippling expanses of blue interrupted by fluorescent-green crescents of foliage. From the ground, it’s simply breathtaking in any season, although most of the park’s 250,000 yearly visitors come between May and September.

Since the interior of Voyageurs is only accessible by boat, many adventurers opt to stay on a houseboat, a cozy and comfortable option that can even offer a portable water slide or hot tub. But a floating bed isn’t the only way to experience Voyageurs. You can also camp, stay in a nearby resort or hotel, or take a day trip from International Falls.

A designated International Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs is a spectacular place to stargaze or catch a glimpse of the northern lights. There are even “star parties” led by Voyageurs education specialist Jesse Gates.

See our beginner’s guide to Voyageurs, things to do in the park, and how to visit with kids.

Danish artist Thomas Dambo hails from Odense, the same small fishing town as Hans Christian Andersen. Maybe there’s something in the Odense water that cultivates an epic sense of imagination and whimsy, because Dambo, a sculptor and environmental activist, is best known for his larger-than-life series of wooden trolls.

These epic installations began in suburban Copenhagen and are now in a select few global locations, including Mandurah, Australia; Sentosa, Singapore; and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota — the only permanent location in the Midwest. More than 300 volunteers helped build the Detroit Lakes trolls, which Dambo called “the biggest and most ambitious exhibition of his career.” Time magazine also named it one of the World’s Greatest Places in 2025.

Interactive and awe-inspiring, the trolls make for the perfect family outing.

See our trolls guide and things to do in Detroit Lakes.

The Lost 40 shouldn’t be here. In 1882, a team of surveyors misidentified the location of this old-growth pine forest, mapping it as Coddington Lake and inadvertently sparing it from logging. While the surveying error was corrected in 1960, the old-growth trees remain (some red pines are nearly 250 years old), and the Lost 40 is now a designated Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) and part of the old-growth forest network.

Mostly located within the Big Fork State Forest, the Lost 40 extends into the federally managed Chippewa National Forest. Visitors can hike a loop known as the “Lost 40 Site,” which is about 1.5 miles long and takes just under an hour at a brisk pace. You’ll even get to see an esker — an Ice Age relic that forms distinct gravel ridges — guaranteed to thrill your geology-nerd friends.

Learn more about the Lost 40.

The self-proclaimed “Walleye Capital of the World,” Lake of the Woods is proud to be a top place in Minnesota to catch walleye, also known as Minnesota Gold — a mild, butter-fleshed whitefish primarily known for its fried state.

Don’t believe us? Just ask Willie, the county’s mascot, a 40-foot effigy to Minnesota’s favorite fish.

Lake of the Woods is also home to the Northwest Angle, that little cap on the top of Minnesota that looks like it should probably be part of Canada — but isn’t (the story involves a pesky erroneous map). The Northwest Angle is the northernmost point in the contiguous United States. To reach it without going through Canada, you’ll need a boat (or, in winter, a snowmobile).

Make the journey, and you’ll be rewarded; Garden Island State Recreation Area is one of the most undeveloped places in the state and makes for an incredible day of hiking.

Take a fish-focused road trip from Minneapolis to Lake of the Woods.

Oh, hey, big guy! Minnesota’s largest resident and his loyal bovine sidekick have welcomed visitors to the city’s visitor center since 1937. While historians debate Paul’s origin story (and provenance), there’s no question that the myth of the Northwoods lumberjack is a central part of Minnesota lore — and that the Bemidji monument is a photo-worthy stop.

But Bemidji isn’t all Paul, all the time. There’s plenty to see and do in this quintessential lake town, including biking on the Paul Bunyan State Trail (sorry, guess we had one more Paul reference in us), a smooth paved path that winds all the way down to Crow Wing State Park in the Central Lakes region. Or plan a trip around Concordia Language Villages, which offers immersion programs for both youth and adults in languages from Spanish to Finnish.

Bemidji is also just 25 miles north of the Mississippi Headwaters and Itasca State Park, making it an ideal landing place if you want a balance of outdoor time and modern amenities.

It’s called the “Great River” for a reason: not only is the Mississippi the fourth-longest river in the world, but it supports a $400 million shipping industry and inspired Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn,” making it a giant of commerce and culture. And the place it all begins? Itasca State Park.

Many visitors are surprised by how accessible the headwaters are — and that the river is so narrow you can cross it on foot (cue the groan-inducing “I walked across the Mississippi” dad joke here).

Looking for a place to stay? Itasca has 223 drive-in campsites, or you can post up at a nearby lodge, hotel or resort. Nearby Park Rapids has many, including Pine Cone Lodge, Wambolts Cabins, and Sleeping Fawn Resort.

See our guides to Itasca State Park and the Mississippi Headwaters.

The Gunflint Trail is a designated National Scenic Byway in the Superior National Forest, running 57 miles from Grand Marais to Saganaga Lake on the Canadian border. The paved route can be driven in about an hour — an extremely beautiful one — but it can also become a full-fledged vacation in itself.

The Gunflint serves as a gateway to the Boundary Waters and is dotted with resorts, restaurants, businesses and outfitters for those making the journey. But many visitors choose to stay along the trail and use it as a home base for exploring the Superior National Forest, with no Boundary Waters permit required. After all, beautiful retreats like Poplar Haus and Bearskin Lodge dot the Gunflint, and there’s plenty to do in every season, from fall hiking to summer fishing.

But there’s something extra special about the Gunflint in winter, when the pine forest is blanketed in snow (the Gunflint sits near the top of the Laurentian Divide and averages more than 100 inches of snow per year) and cross-country skiers take to the trails.

With beginner-to-advanced options, there’s a cross-country experience for everyone, and many lodges and outfitters rent skis and boots to visitors (or snowshoes, if that’s more your thing).

Is there anything more “lake life” than driving a boat straight up to a restaurant, docking, and ordering a burger to enjoy with a view of the water? If there is, we haven’t found it yet. Summer dreams are made of the patio punch from Long Bridge Bar in Detroit Lakes, the fried walleye from Ruttger’s, the walleye sandwich from Ballard’s Resort in Baudette, and the classic cheeseburger from the Loaded Loon on Leech Lake.

If you’re visiting Voyageurs National Park, make some time to post up at Arrowhead Lodge for some walleye fingers or dig into a plate of nachos at Sha Sha’s.

Of course, you don’t need a boat to visit these spots, and we have it on good authority that sipping a beverage while staring out at clean, rippling water is almost supernaturally relaxing — even if you arrive in a boring old car.

See more stellar waterfront dining.

To you, she’s Judy Garland: star of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” host of an eponymous talk show, and, of course, the embodiment of Dorothy Gale. But to us, she’s Frances Gumm — a little girl with a big voice from Grand Rapids — and her childhood home is now the Judy Garland Museum, dedicated to the life of an extraordinary, genre-defining superstar. Pencil it in if you’re an Oz enthusiast: they’ve got the original Emerald City carriage.

After you’ve made your pilgrimage, grab a drink at Rapids Brewing or Klockow Brewing and toast to Judy, then post up for the night at Hotel Rapids (we love the on-site Bistro and Bar) or Timberlake Lodge Hotel, which is perfect for families.

The Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine was Minnesota’s first, in operation from 1882 to 1962. Now a state park, curious visitors can journey 2,341 feet below ground to tour what was once called “the Cadillac of mines.” Flooded in 2024, the mine is reopening to tours in spring 2026.

Want to get involved with history but wary of going way down deep? You can also experience the mine through surface tours, which include the dry house, drill shop, crusher and engine house.

While you’re there, enjoy the park’s amenities, including access to the Mesabi Trail, camper cabins and modern shower buildings.

See more caves in Minnesota.

As it turns out, former iron ore mines make for superlative shred. Cuyuna is one of Minnesota’s top destinations for mountain and fat-tire biking (we love to post up in one of the lakeside cabins at True North while we’re there).

With more than 50 miles of scenic, mixed-difficulty singletrack trails, Cuyuna has been named a silver IMBA Ride Center. But it’s far from the only one in North Lakes; Detroit Mountain and Tioga are both popular recreation areas with in-the-know bikers.

Tioga is also home to Tioga Pit Beach, which boasts some of the most pristine, cerulean water you’ll see outside the Mediterranean.

See Minnesota’s best mountain biking.

For many ice skaters, the Riverbend Skate Path in Warroad is a bucket-list destination. It is, after all, the world’s longest; clocking in just above five miles, it was built entirely by volunteers, who used a Bobcat donated by Ironhide Equipment in Bemidji. Charmingly, the path is lined with Christmas trees, giving it a magical winter wonderland feel. 

Even more charming? It’s free, and so are the groomed cross-country ski trails that run alongside it. No wonder skaters come from as far as Colorado and Texas to experience it. 

Over in nearby Rosseau, the Polaris Experience Center celebrates the iconic outdoor recreation company and offers tours of its snowmobile plant. For those visiting outside of skating season, Earl’s Drive-In offers a classic mid-century dining experience, complete with carhop service and prices that seem to have frozen in time sometime around 1990 (not that we’re complaining).

Find more things to do in Warroad.