The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting a little chilly, and you may sense a crispness in the air. Summer is coming to a close and fall is right around the corner. And we believe getting outside is the best place to experience fall.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

The fish are biting, the trees are changing, and the waters are calm. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) gives you the perfect solitude to enjoy the fall colors and immerse yourself in the wilderness before winter arrives. Grab your fishing rod, pack the tackle box, and toss in your favorite wood burning camping stove and enjoy panoramic views of fall colors from the center of some of Minnesota’s most isolated of their more than 10,000 lakes.

Don’t forget to pack your wood burning camp stove to fry your freshly caught fish at the end of the day. To keep your canoe light, and easy to propel through the glass-like waters, check out Littlbug’s Junior Stove, which works well for small groups, or the Senior stove, which is the perfect wood burning backpacking camp stove for larger groups.

The Superior Hiking Trail

The Superior Hiking Trail winds 300 - miles north and south along Lake Superior from south of Duluth, MN to just below the Canadian border. While some consider it a thru hiking destination to be accomplished over the course of a few weeks, many see it as the perfect area to explore on day hikes. Along this trail you’ll enjoy the colors of fall as well as beautiful views of Lake Superior.

If you consider doing the Superior Hiking Trail as a thru hike in the fall, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to beat the snow. You may want to think about starting from the north and heading south.

For day hikers, you can access sections of the trail at various points. Venture out of town and camp in some of Minnesota’s beautiful state parks to immerse yourself in fall’s beautiful colors. Cascade RIver State Park, Tettegouche State Park, and Jay Cooke State Park offer great camping accommodations and easy access to trails that connect to the Superior Hiking Trail.

The North Country Trail

This scenic trail spreads across seven different states starting in New York, heading into Pennsylvania and continues across Ohio, both of Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and part of North Dakota. The North Country Trail gives hikers variable terrain and in the autumn, a multitude of fall colors to admire.

The trail also offers hikers backcountry camping sites along the way. Some of the backcountry campsites are no more than a couple miles from a trailhead. This gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy an overnight in the wilderness without committing too much time. Don’t forget to look at the section of trail you’re interested in hiking, you may have the opportunity to cast a fishing line or two. And don’t forget to grab your packable camp stove to enjoy a nice evening meal and heat up your morning coffee before you continue your hike.

Eagle Mountain

Eagle Mountain stands at 2,300 feet, making it Minnesota’s highest point. Just below the summit, a break in the forest gives hikers a beautiful view of the Superior National Forest, not to mention the beautiful hike through fall colors on the way up. In the fall, the view is alight with beautiful colors. Feel free to camp in the surrounding area or head into Grand Marais, MN to enjoy a local bed and breakfast and a stroll through town after your hike.