The Boundary Waters is a vast freshwater wilderness region in the Upper Midwest. It extends 150 miles along Minnesota’s border with Canada.
North of the border, the wilderness is known as the Quetico. Within the United States, the Boundary Waters covers more than a million acres. This section of the Superior National Forest serves as habitat for ducks, loons, moose, elk, bald eagles, bears, and numerous other species.
Its official designation is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Motorboats are prohibited on the BWCAW’s more than 1,100 lakes. The area attracts approximately 250,000 visitors annually who come to canoe and camp. Adventures may be only a single day. Or they may extend to weeks or months. The Boy Scouts of America maintain a permanent camp in the vicinity.
