The Battle Lake Recreation Area near Northome offers county-managed non-motorized trails for skiing, hiking, and hunter walking, plus a picnic area and sledding hill.
In the southern reaches of Koochiching County, near the small community of Northome, the Battle Lake Recreation Area gives locals and visitors a place to stretch their legs across the seasons. While the name points to the water, the area is best known for the trail complex that surrounds it.
Managed by Koochiching County Land and Forestry, the recreation area is built... Read more
Managed hiking and ski trail complex near Northome, Minnesota. Features hunter walking trails, ski trails, picnic shelters, and a sledding hill. Run by Koochiching County Land and Forestry.
Battle Lake Recreation Area is a trail complex near Northome in southern Koochiching County, managed by Koochiching County Land and Forestry. The area features skiing, hiking, and hunter walking trails. No motorized vehicles are allowed.
Amenities at the trailhead include a picnic area with tables and a sledding hill with sleds stored on site. Some trail sections are only accessible in winter on skis. The hiking trails wind through mixed birch and aspen forest with some steep hills. The trail system leads out to Battle Lake, a marshy basin that attracts waterfowl in spring and fall.
Kabetogama State Forest, located in Koochiching and Saint Louis counties, Minnesota, spans 621,499 acres!
Kabetogama State Forest, covering 621,499 acres in northeastern Minnesota, is renowned for its rugged beauty and extensive forests. Bordering Voyageurs National Park, it offers an ideal setting for year-round outdoor adventures.
The forest features dense woodlands of fir, spruce, and birch, along with rocky ridges and wetland areas. Its lakes and forests support diverse wildlife, including moose, black bears, and bald eagles.
Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, and canoeing on Kabetogama Lake’s 25,000 acres of water in the summer months. In winter, the Arrowhead State Trail provides... Read more
Enjoy the beauty of Tilson Bay with its public water access, bogwalk, and hiking/skiing trails!
Tilson Bay is a hot spot for nature lovers and fishermen. The area includes hiking trails, cross country ski trails, snowshoe trails, a bogwalk, a fishing pier, and a public boat landing!
Tilson Bay’s bogwalk is a half-mile long walkway takes you through a fascinating bog ecosystem that supports a variety of plants and animals. You will see the distinctive tamarack trees, which shed their needles every fall, and the carnivorous plants that trap insects with their sticky leaves. You will also experience the sensation of walking on a floating sidewalk, as the walkway is made from boards that rest... Read more
Voyageurs National Park is renowned for its pristine lakes, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife!
Voyagers National Park (VNP) is a stunning natural reserve located in northern Minnesota. This park is renowned for its pristine lakes, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife, and offers visitors a unique and immersive experience in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a recreational adventurer, or simply seeking to enjoy the scenery, VNP is a destination worth exploring.
Established in 1975, Voyagers National Park spans over 218,000 acres and encompasses four major lakes: Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, and Sand Point Lake. These interconnected lakes form a vast water-based wilderness area that attracts boating, fishing, and kayaking enthusiasts... Read more
Smokey Bear State Forest is nestled in northern Minnesota’s Koochiching County, covering 12,276 acres. Located near the mouth of the Big Fork River, just south of the Canada border!
This northern forest is named after the iconic figure Smokey Bear, symbolizing wildfire prevention and forest conservation—a fitting namesake for this scenic and ecologically significant area. Smokey Bear State Forest spans across 12,276 acres. This vast, scenic area is known for its natural beauty and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
In the warmer months, visitors enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and fishing in the forest’s rivers and lakes. During winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing offer unique ways to experience the snowy landscape.
The forest... Read more
Koochiching State Forest is located in Koochiching County, covering a vast 567,985 acres!
Koochiching State Forest spans across 567,985 acres and it’s one of Minnesota’s largest state forests. Notable features include the Myrtle Lake Peatland SNA, untouched peatlands, and access to Rainy Lake. Recreation opportunities abound, with trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Rules for this place
Camping away from a developed campground in a state forest is allowed under the DNR’s dispersed camping rules, which set how far from water, from a designated site and for how long. A snowmobile here needs current registration, and a sled registered outside Minnesota needs a... Read more
