In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s not too difficult to find a beautiful body of water among the thousands of Minnesota lakes. All but four Minnesota counties have at least one natural lake. On the flip side, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, has more lakes than any other county in the United States.
But where do you go when you’re looking for a place to get away from it all? There are plenty of lakes to choose from, but some are more remote than others. If you want to truly get away from it all, consider a trip to Knife Lake. It’s in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (“BWCAW”) on the Canadian border, not only is Knife the most remote lake in Minnesota, it’s also the most peaceful. To get there, though, you’re going to have to paddle, so make sure you’ve got all the right equipment!
Knife Lake is a huge body of water in the BWCAW along the Minnesota-Ontario border. It covers more than 3,500 acres and has 99 miles of shoreline.
This means that paddling is really the only practical way to reach the lake.
Those that do will find an incredible wilderness area that is miles from any town and hundreds of miles from any major cities. In short, it’s likely the most remote lake in Minnesota.
The scenery in and around this lake is nothing short of spectacular. Huge, thick forests surround the lake. These may make for some difficult portages depending on your route.
Along the way, you may spot some of the many critters that make homes along the lakes.
There will be birds aplenty, as well as small mammals such as squirrels and rabbits. Larger mammals are also around, though they are much more elusive.
There are also some historic spots in the lake. Dorothy Molter lived on the lake for decades starting in 1934. She became famous for providing root beer to passing paddlers. You can visit Isle of Pines, the island where she lived for 56 years.
You can taste still taste her root beer recipe on a visit to the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely.
When it comes time to rest, there are many rustic campsites along the lake. You must reserve them in advance at the time your Boundary Waters permits are issued.
At night, your remote location will be underscored by the scene that stretches out above you. Far from any source of light pollution, the night sky above this Boundary Waters lake is the best entertainment you’ll ever find. It is simply spectacular!
In fact, the Boundary Waters is one of the largest dark sky sanctuaries in the world.
All in all, this remote lake is a beautiful destination for those looking to truly get away from it all. With a little legwork and a lot of paddling, you can experience it for yourself!
Check out YouTuber Mark Potaczek’s trip to Knife Lake:
All in all, this remote lake is a beautiful destination for those looking to truly get away from it all. With a little legwork and a lot of paddling, you can experience it for yourself! Have you been to Knife Lake? What are your other favorite Minnesota lakes? Feel free to let us know in the comments or by filling out our nomination form!
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