Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest, Minnesota, USA

© Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Image

Call of the wilderness. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, USA

This peaceful photograph was taken in the US state of Minnesota, where the Boundary Waters wilderness area stretches for 150 miles along the US-Canada border. Popular with those seeking solitude, Boundary Waters is one of America’s most beautiful and remote locations. Formed by glacial movement, this area boasts rugged cliffs, canyons and thousands of lakes and streams, offering more than 1,500 miles of canoe routes.

While its waterways are plentiful, 80% of the area is forest. The Boundary Waters wilderness contains the largest swathe of uncut forest in the eastern US – despite the 1999 ‘Boundary Waters blowdown’, a powerful storm that lasted 22 hours and took down millions of trees with its 100mph winds. Many animals call the forested area home, including one of the largest populations of wolves in the US.

In 2020, the area was designated one of only 15 Dark Sky Sanctuaries around the world by the International Dark Sky Association. This differs from a normal Dark Sky designation in that its fragile landscape is one of the planet’s most remote locations, free of light pollution and ideal for night sky observation. Night or day, you’re sure to find something worth your time at Boundary Waters.