In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Ely via Tower and Crane Lake to International Falls: 500 kilometres through Minnesota’s northern forest, where the road is often just a feeder to the water.
The spirit of the route
This part of Minnesota belongs to the water. Roads lead through pines, birches and spruce bogs, and every few miles a lake opens up on which a loon calls or a canoe disappears. Ely is the starting point for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a network of over a thousand lakes and portages reachable only on foot and by paddle, and the camper stays parked at the edge while others vanish into the wilderness. At Lake Vermilion the mining history stretches across spoil heaps and tunnels, and in Voyageurs National Park islands and bays are so intricate that you only really experience the park by boat. In the evening you light a fire at your pitch and listen to the owls, and when the sky is clear, northern lights sometimes dance over the water in autumn. The route is quiet and easy to drive for campers with a little planning; if you want to get on the water, hire a canoe or book a boat and leave the road behind.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Ely to Ely and Boundary Waters access points (approx. 80 km)
- The drive
- Round trips from Ely on the MN-169 and the forest roads (e.g. Fernberg Trail, County Road 18) to access points into the BWCAW. Two-lane and partly gravel; the Fernberg Trail is paved, speed limit 45–55 mph, with bends and climbs. Driving time for round trips is about 2 hours, or a whole day with hikes. Filling stations and supermarkets in Ely.
- Highlights & must-sees
- International Wolf Center in Ely: an information centre on wolves with live animals in an enclosure; check opening times and admission beforehand.
- Dorothy Molter Museum: home of the “Root Beer Lady” Dorothy Molter, who lived in the wilderness on Knife Lake until 1986; museum in Ely, check opening times beforehand.
- Fernberg Trail and lakes: a road to access points such as Moose Lake and Snowbank Lake with viewpoints and picnic areas; paddling trips within the BWCAW need a permit.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Fenske Lake Campground (Superior National Forest): a basic site on the lake; clarify facilities, vehicle lengths and reservations via Recreation.gov or the Forest Service in advance. Alternatively Kawishiwi Lake Campground (BWCAW access, gravel approach, often unsuitable for large motorhomes; check status beforehand) and Bear Head Lake State Park between Ely and Tower (pitches with electricity and showers, reservation via Minnesota DNR). Peak season June to September; book early.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Dispersed camping in the Superior National Forest is allowed, outside the BWCAW without a permit, usually for up to 14 days in one place, not at campgrounds and not near water. In the BWCAW overnighting is only allowed with a permit.
- Insider tip for campers
- For day trips into the BWCAW a free day permit is enough, issued at the entry point itself; for overnight stays a permit via Recreation.gov is required; observe group sizes, motorboat restrictions and waste rules. Fill up with fuel and buy supplies in Ely, as the access roads to the lakes are gravel roads. Keep dogs under control at all times in the BWCAW.
2Stage 2: Ely to Tower (approx. 40 km)
- The drive
- From Ely take the MN-169 south-west to Tower on Lake Vermilion. A well-built two-lane road, speed limit 55–65 mph, through forest; occasional wildlife crossings. Driving time is about 45 minutes, or half a day with stops. Filling stations and supermarkets in Tower, Soudan and Ely.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Soudan Underground Mine State Park: an iron-ore mine; the tour goes about 714 m (2,341 ft) underground; check the operating status of the underground tours, dates and admission in advance with the DNR.
- Tower and Lake Vermilion: a town with a harbour and views of the lake; the lake has over 1,000 islands, and boat trips and canoe hire are available.
- Lake Vermilion–Soudan Underground Mine State Park: a lakeside section with hiking trails, access to the water and a campground (see below).
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Lake Vermilion–Soudan Underground Mine State Park: campground in the park (Lake Vermilion Unit): clarify facilities (electricity, showers) and opening status in advance with the Minnesota DNR; reservation via the DNR system, check vehicle length. Alternatively private campsites in Tower and on the lake. Reserve early in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Wild camping on the highway and in towns is forbidden; in the Superior National Forest dispersed camping is allowed (see stage 1). Checks by the sheriff and rangers do occur.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up with fuel, shop and empty your tanks in Tower or Ely before heading onto side roads. For the mine visit take sturdy shoes and warm clothing, as it is about 10 °C underground. Mosquitoes and blackflies are strong in early summer.
3Stage 3: Tower to Crane Lake (approx. 110 km)
- The drive
- From Tower via Cook take the US-53 north to Orr and on along County Roads 24 and 23 (Crane Lake Road) to Crane Lake, the south-western access to Voyageurs National Park. Two-lane, speed limit 45–55 mph, with some frost damage and bends. Driving time is about 2 hours. Filling stations in Tower and Orr; in Crane Lake only small shops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Orr: a small town on Pelican Lake with access to water and forest; nearby is the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary (bear watching, seasonal, check dates in advance).
- Crane Lake: a community on the water, starting point for boat trips to Voyageurs National Park; boat hire and water taxis can be booked locally.
- Crane Lake Visitor Center of Voyageurs National Park (seasonal, roughly the end of May to the end of September): information and camping permits; from here the park can only be reached by boat.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Crane Lake there are private campsites and access to water; there are basic campgrounds nearby in the Superior National Forest. For Voyageurs there are only sites within the park reached by boat or on foot (permit via Recreation.gov), no drive-in sites. Clarify facilities, prices and reservations in advance.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Dispersed camping in the Superior National Forest is allowed; in Voyageurs National Park itself only on designated boat-in sites with a permit (via Recreation.gov or the park administration).
- Insider tip for campers
- Voyageurs National Park consists largely of water; without a boat or water taxi the park can hardly be experienced. Obtain a permit in advance for boat trips and camping in the park. Store food bear-proof, and fish only with a Minnesota licence.
4Stage 4: Crane Lake to Kabetogama (approx. 90 km)
- The drive
- From Crane Lake take Crane Lake Road (County Road 24/23) back to the US-53 and north to the turn-off of County Roads 122 and 123 to Kabetogama. Two-lane, speed limit 45–60 mph, with bends and forest sections. Driving time is about 1.5 hours. Filling stations in Orr and Kabetogama.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center of Voyageurs National Park: information, exhibitions and ranger programmes; opening times are seasonal, so check in advance.
- Ash River: a visitor centre about 11 miles off the US-53 (County Road 129), open seasonally; boat ramp, hiking trails and boat trips.
- Woodenfrog State Forest Campground: a site on Lake Kabetogama with access to the water, hiking trails and landing stages.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Woodenfrog State Forest Campground on Lake Kabetogama (Minnesota DNR): a basic site with toilets and, according to the latest information, drinking water; reservation via the DNR, mind vehicle lengths. Alternatively private campsites and lodges around Kabetogama. Reserve early in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Dispersed camping in the Kabetogama State Forest is possible under certain conditions; in Voyageurs National Park only on designated boat-in sites with a permit. Check the regulations in advance with the DNR and the national park administration.
- Insider tip for campers
- Boats and canoes can be hired in Kabetogama and Ash River; weather and wind warnings apply in the park. Thunderstorms build up quickly on the water, and life jackets are compulsory. Watch out for ticks and mosquitoes.
5Stage 5: Kabetogama to International Falls (approx. 90 km)
- The drive
- From Kabetogama return to the US-53 and go north to International Falls on the Canadian border, with a detour to Ranier on Rainy Lake. A well-built two-lane road, speed limit 55–65 mph. Driving time is about 1.5 hours. Filling stations in Kabetogama, Ranier and International Falls.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Rainy Lake Visitor Center of Voyageurs National Park, about 12 miles east of International Falls (MN-11, County Road 96): the main visitor centre with exhibitions and ranger programmes, according to the park open all year round; check opening times in advance.
- Smokey Bear Statue and Border Country: in International Falls stands a large statue of Smokey Bear; the town is known as the “Icebox of the Nation”.
- Fort Frances border bridge: the border crossing into Canada is in International Falls; mind passport, vehicle documents and import rules.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In and around International Falls there are private sites, e.g. Arnold’s Campground and Rainy Lake RV on the MN-11 (check opening times and facilities in advance). For Voyageurs the park offers only boat-in sites in the Rainy Lake area. Reserve early in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Wild camping in towns and at the border is forbidden; in the surrounding State Forests dispersed camping is possible under certain conditions (check DNR rules). If in doubt, contact the Voyageurs visitor centre or the DNR office.
- Insider tip for campers
- If you are travelling on to Canada, you need a passport; check the import of fruit, alcohol, firewood and weapons in advance. Fill up with fuel and shop in International Falls, as the town offers the last larger supplies before the border.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- Minnesota allows dispersed camping in the Superior National Forest and in parts of the State Forests, usually for up to 14 days in one place; in the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park overnighting is only allowed with a permit and on designated sites. On highways, in towns and in state parks outside the campgrounds wild camping is forbidden.
- Supermarket car parks do not allow overnighting everywhere; ask in the store. Checks and fines by the sheriff and rangers are possible.
- Wildlife: black bears, wolves, moose and beavers occur; store food and waste securely. Mosquitoes and blackflies in early summer, ticks in grass.
- Apps and sources: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt; Recreation.gov for BWCAW permits and Forest Service campgrounds, Minnesota DNR for state parks and State Forests.
- Fires: fire bans in dry weather; buy firewood locally and do not transport it over long distances. Open fires only in existing rings.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations in Ely, Tower, Orr, International Falls and private RV parks; often a fee. sanidumps.com lists locations. There is no waste disposal in the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.
- Drinking water in state parks and towns; lake water only with a filter or after boiling. Bring containers for access points to lakes.
- Do not let grey water run onto the ground; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane in Ely, Tower and International Falls from dealers and filling stations; European gas bottles need an adapter and are usually not refilled.
- Fuel and food: Ely, Tower, Orr, Kabetogama and International Falls have filling stations; away from the US-53 only occasionally. Mobile reception is patchy in the forest and in the park.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits: US-53 and MN-169 mostly 55–65 mph, in built-up areas 30–45 mph. In Minnesota there are no tolls on this route and no low-emission zones.
- BWCAW rules: a permit via Recreation.gov is needed for overnight stays; day trips need a free permit issued at the entry point itself; group sizes are limited, cans and bottles are banned in the wilderness, and motorboats are allowed only on certain lakes.
- Border: anyone driving from International Falls to Fort Frances (Ontario) needs a passport and the vehicle documents; check the import of food, alcohol, firewood and weapons in advance.
- Weather and season: summers are mild to warm (20–28 °C) with cool nights; autumn with colourful foliage and possible northern lights; winter is harsh with snow and ice. The best time is June to September.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception is patchy in the forest and on lakes. Wear life jackets on the water; thunderstorms and wind come up quickly on lakes.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Insect repellent and a head net for June and July, because mosquitoes and blackflies are strong.
- Life jackets and paddles for canoe trips; obtain permits for the BWCAW and Voyageurs in advance.
- Binoculars and a camera for loons, moose, wolves and northern lights.
- A bear canister or bear-proof containers for food when staying in the forest.
- Offline maps and a paper map; mobile reception drops out in many areas.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
