Superior National Forest Gunflint Trail Extension

Past the pavement’s end on the Gunflint Trail, Forest Road 152 splits into a web of logging roads that penetrate deep into Superior National Forest’s million-acre wilderness. The main artery follows old timber routes past Seagull Lake and into the Boundary Waters corridor, where you’ll cross Saganaga Creek and thread between granite outcrops that define this ancient shield country. Key waypoints include the Magnetic Rock overlook and the ruins of the old Paulson Mine.

This moderate route demands high-clearance vehicles and decent ground clearance for rocky sections and seasonal water crossings. Best tackled May through October when frost isn’t heaving the forest roads apart. No permits needed for the drive itself, but camping requires BWCAW permits if you venture into designated wilderness. Fuel up in Grand Marais—it’s 60 miles to the next gas. What you get is solitude, pristine boreal forest, and access to some of Minnesota’s most remote country without needing a canoe.