Falls at Stairway Portage Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Falls at Stairway Portage on Rose Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. The BWCA Wilderness is the most visited wilderness area in the U. S., and is unique in that the only travel in the area must be done by foot or canoe/kayak A beautiful twin waterfalls is surrounded by black moss-laden rocks and greenery from trees and plants on the south side of Rose Lake. The falls can be reached by canoe or kayak or by traveling along the rugged Border Route Trail that runs along the Minnesota side of the BWCA. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is a vast wilderness located in northeastern Minnesota, adjacent to the Canadian border. It encompasses over a million acres of forests, lakes, and rivers. The BWCA has a rich history of indigenous use, primarily by the Ojibwe people, who navigated its waterways long before European settlers arrived. In the early 20th century, conservationists, including influential figures like Ernest Oberholtzer and Sigurd Olson, advocated for the protection of this unique landscape. Their efforts led to the establishment of the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) under the Wilderness Act of 1964, and further protections were added with an Act in 1978. Today, the BWCA is cherished for its rugged beauty, offering unparalleled opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and backcountry camping.