Where is the "wild" (Minneapolis, Duluth: store, cabins, airport)

[adam18629]

Last September I spend a few days in Minneapolis. Took the light rail from the airport went to the mall, target field etc. What I am curious about is this. Every tourist store I went into and even the name of the NHL suggest that there is a lot of wilderness in the state. How far out of the twin cities would somebody have to drive to experience or visit this? How often to "twin cities people" get out to the lakes and cabins and wilderness to enjoy it?
Thanks

[demtion35]

Northeastern Minnesota has the most forest and is the most remote, and alot of people from the the cities come up here on the weekends.

The Superior National Forest, BWCA, are the best of the best of Minnesota.

[adam18629]

I am aware of that. My question is how far is it from the metro area? Do people go very often?

[Ghengis]

Heading north from downtown Minneapolis on I35 about 90 miles (just past Sandstone) you will cross the Kettle River and that is where the wild starts. It is there that you will begin to notice the deciduous woods have given way to pines and rock out croppings will begin to appear along the side of the road. Often you will see wolves staring down from these rocks, waiting for cars to run out of gas or break down.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=sands...,28.24,,0,4.59

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by adam18629

I am aware of that. My question is how far is it from the metro area? Do people go very often?

Its about a 5 hour or so drive from the cities, depending on traffic heading north, and yes alot of people from the cities go up north mostly on weekends quite often. Less than 3 hours to Duluth, which alot of Twin Cities people come here very often also.

[Thedosius]

Originally Posted by adam18629

Last September I spend a few days in Minneapolis. Took the light rail from the airport went to the mall, target field etc. What I am curious about is this. Every tourist store I went into and even the name of the NHL suggest that there is a lot of wilderness in the state. How far out of the twin cities would somebody have to drive to experience or visit this? How often to "twin cities people" get out to the lakes and cabins and wilderness to enjoy it?
Thanks

I would say a 45 minute drive in almost any direction will get you into rural areas. Dependent on direction, you'll either end up in cornfields, small towns, oak savanna, forest or prairie.

All Twin Cities people get to the lakes and cabins exactly 1.35 times per month in the summer.

[wamer27]

Anything past Grand Marais going north on hwy 61 gets pretty desolate, but the wilderness can be found much farther south then this. Hike a path north of Hovland and you'll be lucky to cross maybe 2 paved roads before you hit the Hudson Bay.

[cheddar]

Originally Posted by ghengis

often you will see wolves staring down from these rocks, waiting for cars to run out of gas or break down.

lol.

[601halfdozen0theother]

Just like to insert, if I may, the concept that any place that can be driven to is no longer "the wild".

[Campeador]

Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother

Just like to insert, if I may, the concept that any place that can be driven to is no longer "the wild".

BWCA then.