Boundary Waters Canoe Area verified trails

We publish a trail map only when an editor has opened the exact trail page and confirmed it sits inside this destination. Trails we could not confirm are left off entirely — you will never find a generic search link here. Always recheck closures, water levels, and permits with the managing agency before you go.

• Kekekabic Trail

  Editor verified · 2026-09-15

  The roughly 40-mile point-to-point hiking traverse of the BWCAW interior, from Snowbank Road to the Gunflint side.

  AllTrails describes the route as crossing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness under the Superior National Forest permit system.

  Managing agency source ↗

• Kekekabic Trail: West Trailhead to Drumstick Lake

  Editor verified · 2026-09-15

  The first 8.4-mile section from the Kekekabic West Trailhead on Snowbank Road to Drumstick Lake.

  AllTrails lists this section inside Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with the Recreation.gov BWCAW permit requirement.

  Managing agency source ↗

• Border Route Trail

  Editor verified · 2026-09-15

  The 63-mile ridge traverse above the border lakes on the Gunflint side of the wilderness.

  AllTrails places the route in East Cook County along the BWCAW border-lake ridges.

  Managing agency source ↗

• Bridal Veil Falls via Crab Lake Spur

  Editor verified · 2026-09-15

  A 7.8-mile out-and-back from the Gunflint Trail into the BWCAW to Bridal Veil Falls above Gunflint Lake.

  AllTrails lists this trail under Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with the BWCAW permit note.

  Managing agency source ↗

• Caribou Rock Trail to Clearwater Rd

  Editor verified · 2026-09-15

  An 11.3-mile point-to-point over the ridges above Bearskin, Duncan and Clearwater lakes.

  AllTrails lists this trail under Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

  Managing agency source ↗

• Snowbank Trail

  Editor verified · 2026-09-15

  A 22-mile loop circling Snowbank Lake near Ely, entering the wilderness on the Kekekabic side.

  AllTrails describes the loop as a multi-day trip into the BWCAW requiring a permit.

  Managing agency source ↗