Most People Don’t Even Know This Little-Known Destination in Minnesota Even Exists

As outdoor tourism increases in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it seems to me that there are fewer and fewer nature spots and small towns in Minnesota that aren’t awash in people looking for a perfect Instagram post or TikTok clip. A few years ago, though, as I was heading south from a trip to Zippel Bay and Franz Jevne State Parks, I came across a spot that was an incredibly pleasant surprise, and I think it’s a place that not too many folks know about. The Mickey Elverum Bog Walk in Orr has quickly become one of my favorite hidden gems in Minnesota, and you should really consider putting it on your must-visit list.

Orr is a small town of about 200 people located on Pelican Lake in northern Minnesota. It’s 25 miles or so from the Canadian border as the pelican flies (more like 50 miles by car). Apart from the excellent fishing opportunities on the lake, the community is known as a gateway for both Voyageurs National Park and the westernmost end of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It should come as no surprise then that many of the town’s businesses are geared toward tourism and outdoor pursuits. The town also boasts several of its own lovely parks and natural areas. My personal favorite is the Mickey Elverum Bog Walk.

The trail is an easy, half-mile boardwalk loop that traverses a bog along the south end of Pelican Lake. The boardwalk itself was completely replaced in 2022, so it’s in excellent condition and a pleasure to walk along.

Interpretive signs along the trail describe the habitat that you’re traversing and the types of plant, animal, and other species you may encounter along the way—like these marsh marigolds.

Or this blue flag iris. You'll also find many other bog specialist plants, like Labrador tea and carnivorous pitcher plants, along the bog walk.

Much of the trail curves through a forest of alder, tamarack, and black spruce—also bog species—but one section of the boardwalk snakes through the cattails along the shoreline on the southwest end of Pelican Lake.

Along this stretch, you may see all sorts of bird species, otters, and if you’re lucky, an occasional moose. I saw a ruby-throated hummingbird working the flowers along this part of the boardwalk on my last visit.

Although Orr is a gateway to Voyageurs National Park, I think it’s a worthy destination in its own right: There aren’t too many places where you can walk through a bog and then watch wild black bears gather for a meal. If you’re visiting the area in the summer, though, be sure to bring plenty of insect repellent - they do get thick up here.