A lake at the Bower Trout Lake portage in the Boundary Waters

Boundary Waters & Iron Range

Ely, the Iron Range and the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: lake country and mining history.

Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Planning guides

Bear Head Lake under a summer sky with a leaning pine and a dark line of conifers on the far shore, seen from the campground

Bear Head Lake State Park

Bear Head Lake State Park planning guide: 73 campsites, year-round cabins and guesthouse, backpack and canoe sites, trails, winter skiing and fees near Ely.

The Rainy River in autumn from Franz Jevne State Park, with red shrubs in front and the Ontario shore across the water

Franz Jevne State Park

Franz Jevne State Park planning guide: 18 rustic campsites on the Rainy River, fishing for walleye and sturgeon, short trails, permits and the seasonal gate closure.

A closed chain-link gate at the former Hill Annex Mine State Park, with a raised wooden viewing platform behind it

Hill Annex Mine State Park

Hill Annex Mine State Park is permanently closed. Why the Calumet park was abolished in 2024, its mining history, the passport stamp and parks to visit instead.

A white mine building, steel water tower and Soudan Mine historical sign at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park guide: mine tour season and prices, camper cabins and campgrounds, lake access, trails and permits.

Overturned aluminum rental boats under pines on the shore of Side Lake at McCarthy Beach State Park, Minnesota

McCarthy Beach State Park

McCarthy Beach State Park planning guide: the half-mile Sturgeon Lake beach, Side Lake and Beatrice Lake campgrounds, trails, boat rentals and permit costs.

A row of canoes along the shore of Coon Lake under tall pines at Scenic State Park near Bigfork, Minnesota

Scenic State Park

Scenic State Park planning guide: Chase Point and Lodge campgrounds, the CCC cabin, Coon-Sandwick Lake fishing and trails, permit costs and seasonal closures.

State parks in this region

5 state parks. Compare all 64 in the park finder.

ParkNearest townCampingDetails
Bear Head LakeEly73 drive-in, 45 electric, 4 backpack, 2 canoe-in; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Franz JevneBirchdale18 drive-in, 2 electric, 3 walk-inOur guide
DNR page
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground MineSoudan56 electric, canoe-in; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
McCarthy BeachHibbingdrive-in, electric, 3 walk-inOur guide
DNR page
ScenicBigforkdrive-in, electric, backpack, canoe-inOur guide
DNR page

Source: Minnesota DNR park data, retrieved November 11, 2026. Check the DNR page before you go.