Being the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota is home to more than a few crystal-clear bodies of water. Among the clearest are Caribou Lake near Lutsen, Minnesota, and Deer Lake in Itasca County, to name a few. But there are many others. Most, it turns out, are found within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In this million-mile stretch of Minnesota, there is a lake beyond every stand of trees. Some of the cleanest and clearest water in Minnesota – maybe even the world – can be found here.

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The Boundary Waters is a region that covers millions of acres across northern Minnesota and southwestern Ontario. Within it is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or BWCAW.
briandjan607/Flickr
The BWCAW covers 1,090,000 million acres of northern Minnesota's Arrowhead region. The main towns that provide entry to the area are Ely, Tofte, and Grand Marais, though there are other entry points as well.
Alan Strakey/Flickr
The wilderness area draws millions of visitors thanks to its peace, quiet, and opportunity for recreation. Many like to camp, fish, and canoe in the Boundary Waters.
Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr

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Many lakes in the BWCAW are off-limits to motorized traffic. In other words, only paddle boats are allowed. There is also no logging or mining allowed in the area.
Eugene Kim/Flickr
All of this adds up to a huge expanse that is free from many of the pollutants you'll find in most lakes. The crystal-clear waters are so clean that, in many lakes with few sediments, you can see many feet below the surface.
MJI Photos/Flickr
All in all, the Boundary Waters are the place to go in Minnesota if you're looking for clean, clear lakes. A trip to the BWCAW is a must-do for Minnesotans who live the outdoors.
Jim Liestman/Flickr

Have you ever been to the Boundary Waters? What’s your favorite lake? Let us know in the comments!

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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely, MN 55731, USA