What an absolutely beautiful Minnesota state park. The dense woods and lakes are really amazing to…read morebe a part of. We did the norberg lake trail and I've done the blueberry lakes trail in the past as well. Definitely bring good shoes or boots for these trails. There is a fair amount of up and down throughout and lots of rocks and roots. I am excited to come back here in the future.

In our quest to visit all MN state parks, Bear Head Lake was next on our list. We stuck with the…read moreHiking Club trail or Norberg Trail. It was a three mile loop that took you past a couple of lakes. It involved walking on some uneven ground (roots and stones) but it was relatively flat and very woodsy. We visited in mid July and it was quite buggy so make sure you are covered or sprayed to minimize the bites. Minnesota parks are so beautiful. I get so worries about where I'm stepping, I sometimes forget to look up and all around to enjoy the beauty.

We spent 4 wonderful days and 3 nights in the BWCA with an amazing guide, Dave Freeman, whose…read moreknowledge, experience, and hospitality made this a trip an experience of a lifetime. Due to his extensive time in the BWCA he knew each river, lake, portage path, and campsite. He carefully chose our daily route based on our needs and the water and weather conditions. Dave taught us about the animals we saw and heard. He also provided tips on canoeing. And each wilderness meal he prepared was delicious. We traveled from California to visit Lake Superior and knew we wanted to experience the beauty of the Boundary Waters wilderness with experienced guides. After some research, we chose Ely Outfitting Company and were so glad we did. The Ely Outfitter team helped us select a route and guided us through the permit process. They were always available for questions or revisions via email and phone calls. We chose the fully guided option as we were flying in and didn't want to hassle with all the equipment. From the thoroughness of the gear provided to the menu that the Ely Outfitting team put together based on our selections, the experience came off without a hitch. We highly recommend booking a trip with the Ely Outfitting Company. We're already considering how and when we might return to travel this magical place with Ely Outfitters.

Ely Outfitting Company should be your only choice for any Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventure…read more I recently booked a fully outfitted, professionally guided trip through EOC, and every aspect was exceptional. The gear was top-of-the-line, well-maintained, and spotlessly clean--tents, sleeping bags, pillows, all of it! The food was plentiful, delicious, and offered a surprising variety for a backcountry trip. What truly sets EOC apart, though, is the people. Amy in the office was kind, responsive, and efficient--before, during, and after our trip. The outfitting team that got us set up and checked us in afterward was equally friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. And then there's our guide, Dave Freeman. I expected a skilled and experienced leader when I heard he was a National Geographic Explorer of the Year--but that title alone doesn't capture how perfect he was for our family. This trip was a memorial journey to honor our dad, and we had some very specific hopes for the experience. Dave truly listened and helped us make every part of it meaningful. He kept us safe, made it fun, and became part of our family along the way... even if he does cheat at Uno. Ely Outfitting Company--and especially Dave Freeman--are the absolute best in the BWCA. I wouldn't go with anyone else.

Great customer service! The canoes were in perfect condition and the people take pride in their…read morework here! Would definitely recommend to people coming to the boundary waters!

Cliff Wolds made our boundary waters trip the best trip ever! We had exactly what we needed and…read morePLENTY of food! They were so friendly and gave us advice that we were so thankful for! Cliffs is the way to go!

Best way to describe our experience is this way. Awesome comfortable place to stay...we love the…read morescenery and the resorts rustic flavor....very accommodating and friendly staff . Can't say enough good about them. We loved seeing Willie, their dog. Always looked for Willie when we came to the office and even talked about him on the way home. This is truly a superb Minnesota Resort. A place to enjoy the evenings and mornings sitting in the screened in porch, listening to the waves and the boats going by. A wonderful Minnesota Resort Tradition you won't want to miss. Take our word for it you won't be disappointed. Gary and Deb Korsgaden

This place is great. I've known of this resort since I've been coming up here 30 years. This place…read moreis family owned and now owned by the original owners daughter and son. Not luxury but great for a family used to holiday inn accommodations. They have a fantastic beach, cabins, volleyball court, boats and a store. I think it's well worth the money

Well maintained, super friendly owners, and fun MN themed course. Ice cream, sodas and t-shirts in…read morethe shop. Clean bathroom. We will be back!

This was about forced family fun time. We were on a weekend get away with our teenager. The course…read morewas clean and staff were nice. We laughed, we had fun, and we'd return again!

This was a great short hike! We did see a lot of people straying from the path...lots of trash and…read moreclothing items forgotten behind! There are a few spots where boards could be replaced along the trail - thinking about littles or those with poor balance - but all in all - great place to stop if you have time. We didn't need bug spray until we finished the hike and were back in the parking lot! (Early in July) But would suggest spraying yourself before entering. Great trail, great views, and amazing photo spots.

Very easy trail with a huge reward. This trail is a combo loop/out and back. There are some planks…read morebuilt to help with some of the wetter parts of the trail The falls are beautiful. We saw people swimming in the water in mid-July. There were some interesting trees with exposed roots along the way. Interesting how a tree will go through anything to find ground to put its root. This was recommended to us from a ranger in the Soudan Mine park. So glad he told us about it.

YEAR AFTER YEAR...it keeps getting better!!!…read more I discovered the Vermillion Dam Lodge though a fishing guide and absolutely love it! Owner Ed and his right hand man Marty run an incredible operation accommodating hard core fishermen as myself, families and visitors from all over the world. They host fishing seminars and group events as well. The lake is one of the best small mouth bass, walleye and MUSKY fisheries on the planet. The rooms are very comfortable; everything on the property is tidy and well maintained. VDL is mobility challenged and dog friendly to top it off. World class fishing, friendly staff, gorgeous scenery with eagles literally flying overhead - WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE???

Twenty six family members descended on VDL on an August Saturday for a week stay. We had several…read morecabins of various sizes to meet the needs of grandparents and young cousins from 5 years on up. We had decided to have the resort provide dinner on our arrival after a long drive. It was delicious. The rest of the time we shared cooking details at one of the larger houses. Kitchens are pretty complete for most fare and the Lodge provides some special needs like large serving platters for big meals. We were blessed with mostly nice summer weather. We hired a variety of boats which got most of us out on the water several days. Boats were clean and well maintained. Climax day was two pontoon boats and a speedboat to pull tube rides. We didn't have many experienced fishermen or women. One couple hired a guide one morning which scored a bunch of delicious small walleye. But more important, our guide tried several spots in different parts of the lake and gave us a rewarding tour and understanding of the entire lakes system. For others there were two golf outings at different courses. A rainy day sent some to International Falls and a boat tour of Rainy lake. Others went the other direction to Ely and wildlife. So a modest drive provides some alternatives. But for the most part the resort provides a wide range of activities right on the lake and the property. A real bonus is the resort staff who were always friendly and helpful, a real reason to come back another time.