Waters of the dancing sky scenic byway

Minnesota’s northernmost byway travels from Voyageurs National Park along the Canadian border. Ideal for anglers, boaters, birders and wildflower lovers, the route runs along the Rainy River from International Falls to Baudette, through fields of lady’s slippers from Baudette to Warroad, and along the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail west of Warroad. Numerous resorts surround Voyageurs National Park and Lake of the Woods, two of the route’s key attractions. The “Dancing Sky” refers to the aurora borealis, or northern lights, which frequently appear in the area thanks to its far-northern location and absence of bright city lights.

Day 1

Voyageurs National Park’s shimmering lakes are best traveled by boat, just as history’s fur traders did. Guided boat tours, canoe trips and nature programs are offered during the summer. Sign up for a ranger-guided trip on Kabetogama Lake, which stops at the historic Kettle Falls Hotel. Or make arrangements to rent a houseboat. The resort village of Ranier offers shopping, restaurants and scenic spots for picnics. Nearby International Falls is home to more shopping, and a museum that tells the story of the area’s most famous son, NFL football legend Bronko Nagurski. The adjacent Koochiching County Historical Museum looks at 10,000 years of borderland history.

Day 2

Start the morning in Baudette with a photo in front of Willie the Walleye, a welcoming statue. Then enjoy some birding or a swim at a 3-mile-long sand beach at Zippel Bay State Park. Massive Lake of the Woods, which straddles the Canadian border, spans 55 miles, with excellent walleye and northern pike fishing. Continue west and enjoy a vast array of woodland flowers from spring to fall, or look for Minnesota’s state flower, the showy lady’s slipper, in June. Warroad serves as the northern tip of Minnesota’s first birding trail called The Pine to Prairie Trail. Woodpeckers, grosbeaks and great gray owls can be spotted at numerous sites on the route. From Warroad (or Roseau), consider a side trip heading into Canada to the Northwest Angle, the “chimney” at the top of Minnesota and the northernmost point of the lower 48 states, for resorts, fishing and more birding.

Day 3

Get a sense of the area’s industry in the friendly towns along the way. In Warroad, stop at the Marvin Windows Training and Visitors Center and the Warroad Heritage Center; both have exhibits on the area’s commercial ventures. Visit the Polaris museum in Roseau to learn about the early days of snowmobiling, or plan a stop at The Roseau County Historical Society and Museum. Near the western end of the route, find Lake Bronson State Park, just north of Karlstad. Watch for moose or sandhill cranes from the observation tower in the park, or follow an interpretive trail through the prairie and aspen parkland.

More info:
800-382-3474 www.watersofthedancingsky.org