Why Minnesota's Arrowhead Region is the Most Unique in the State

When you think about it, Minnesota is one of the more unique states in the entire U.S. For example, the southwest part of the state is devoid of (almost) any lakes, in a land of more than 10,000. It's also the same state that is home to the 16th biggest metro in the country, which is only a 3 and half hour drive from one of the most isolated spots in the entire U.S., in the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area.

We've all heard of the great diversity in Minnesota's unique geography, but one place many haven't heard of is the "Arrowhead Region", an area larger than the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It covers over 10,000 square miles of land and is home to some of the state's most iconic landmarks.

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What and Where is Minnesota's "Arrowhead" Region?

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Minnesota's Arrowhead Region is located in the Northeast part of the state and gets its name due to its distinct arrowhead like shape. It encompasses the counties of Carlton, Cook, Lake and Saint Louis. It's also home to three unique and important water basins, including the Mississippi River Basin, The Lake Superior Basin, and even the Hudson Bay Basin. This becomes more fascinating when you examine the town of Hibbing, where the water can potentially flow into any of the three basins, one of the only places on the planet where such an instance can occur.

The Arrowhead region is home to thousands of lakes, large, boreal forests, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Area, Voyageurs National Park (Mn's Only National Park), and the acclaimed Superior Hiking Trail.

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It's also home to the Mesabi Range, an area of the state that has been used to mine Iron-Ore and other raw materials since the 1890s.

The Arrowhead region is known for its unique beauty and industrial might and is part of why the 'Land of Ten Thousand Lakes' is one of the most interesting states in the entire U.S.

Story Sources: Thought Co Website, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness U.S. Forest Service Website, World Atlas Website, Arrowhead Region Wikipedia Page

10 Highest-Rated Minnesota State Parks

Visiting every state park in Minnesota is an excellent bucket list goal, but with 65 of them spread across the state, where do you start? Trip Advisor has curated a list of the best Minnesota state parks based on the rankings given by visitors who have come before you. Scroll through the list of the 10 highest-rated state parks in Minnesota and start exploring!

Gallery Credit: Minnesota Now