Visitor Maps and Guides
Whether you "hit the trail" on foot, horseback, or mountain bike, it's a good idea to do a little homework first. One excellent planning tool is a good map.
Superior National Forest has different map products available;
- USGS Topographic Maps - Scale of these maps is approximately 2.4 inches per mile. See below info on ordering.
- Forest Visitor Maps - at 1/2"=one mile scale, depict entire Ranger Districts. A set of four Forest Visitor Maps covers all six administrative units. Maps are sold at the Supervisor's Office and at all District Offices. See below info on ordering.
- Motor Vehicle Use Maps - shows the roads and trails that are open to vehicular traffic. This map contain only roads information, with limited key features. These are large files.
- Trail Maps - Electronic files which are available for download and are geo-referenced.
Ordering Maps
Call In an Order
Call an office and process your request over the phone. Credit card sales are accepted over the phone.
On-line
Topographic Maps and Forest Visitor maps are available from USGS Store
Interactive Maps and Apps
Avenza
Avenza is a an app and a website where USDA Forest Service makes maps available to the public. Visit their website to download the app or download a map.
Available Recreation Maps
The Superior National Forest is truly a superior place for birding. It is recognized by the American Bird Conservancy as a Globally Important Bird Area, one of 500 in the United States.
Download Birding Maps and Checklist
- East Zone (geo-referenced)
- West Zone (geo-referenced)
- Birding Checklist
These routes are NOT in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Tofte and Gunflint (Grand Marais) Area
- Island River Canoe Route
- Timber-Frear Canoe Route
- Twin Lakes Canoe Route
LaCroix (Cook) Area
- Hunting Shack River Canoe Route
Download Hunter Walking Trail Maps
- Caribou Lake Hunter Walking Trail
- Devil Track Lake Hunter Walking Trail
- Kadunce River Hunter Walking Trail
- Wills Lake Hunter Walking Trail
Motorized Trails and Byways Map Downloads
Fall Color Tours
- Tofte District Fall Color Tour
- Laurentian District Fall Color Tour
Mountain Bike Trails
Download Mountain Bike Trail Maps
- Britton Peak and Pincushion Mountain Singletrack Trails (geo-referenced)
- Pincushion Mountain Fat Tire Bike Trail (geo-referenced)
- Lookout Mountain Bike Trails
Cross-Country Ski Trails
Download Cross-Country Ski Trail Maps
- Flathorn-Gegoka Ski Trails (geo-referenced)
- Norpine Ski Trails (geo-referenced)
- Sugarbush (Moose Fence) Ski Trails (geo-referenced)
- Pincushion Mountain Ski Area (geo-referenced)
- Bally Creek Ski Trail (geo-referenced)
Hiking Trails
Gunflint Ranger District - Grand Marais/Gunflint
- Centennial Trail
- Eagle Mountain/Brule Lake Trail
- Honeymoon Bluff
- Moose Viewing Trail
Kawishiwi Ranger District - Ely
- Bass Lake Trail
- Secret/Blackstone Lake Trail
LaCroix Ranger District - Cook
- Vermillion Falls Trail
- Vermillion Gorge Trail
- Norway Trail
- Herriman Lake Trail
- Big Moose Trail
- Echo Lake Trail
- Astrid Lake Trail
Laurentian Ranger District - Aurora
- Otto and Harris Lakes Trail
- Lookout Mountain Trail
- Deepwater Lake Trail
- Jenkins Creek
- Big Aspen Trail
- St. Louis River Trail
- White Pine Trail
- Sturgeon River Trail
- Stone and Big Lakes Trail
- Bird Lake Trail
Tofte Ranger District - Tofte
- Oberg Mountain
- Carlton Peak
- LaVeaux Mountain
- Eagle Mountain/Brule Lake Trail
What Is a Geo-referenced Map?
These GeoPDF trail maps can be downloaded onto a mobile device for use with a wayfinding app. The wayfinding app will then display your location on the trail system without the need for cell service or a wifi connection.
Maps can also be printed out as a hard copy; we recommend that you always bring a hard copy map along as batteries can die and phones can be broken.
These maps are only of the trails, they do not include information on how to get there or other information about the area. For additional info, see the webpage for the trail.
The maps are created using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The USDA Forest Service uses the most current and complete data available. GIS data and product accuracy may vary. Using GIS products for purposes other than those for which they were intended may yield inaccurate or misleading results. The USDA Forest Service reserves the right to correct, update, modify or replace GIS products without notification.
Available Road and Topographic Maps
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) display National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails, or areas designated open to motorized travel. It also displays seasonal allowances and permitted uses by vehicle class, for example: highway-legal vehicles, vehicles 50 inches or less in width, motorcycles, etc.
Using the index map below, find the area in which you'll be riding and follow the link to view, print, or download the portion of the Motor Vehicle Use Map which covers that area.
Printed copies of the Motor Vehicle Use Map are available upon request at Superior National Forest offices or at many local businesses.
Downloaded copies of the Motor Vehicle Use Map are now geo-referenced for use with smart phone wayfinding apps and some GPS devices! Use your phone to find out where you are and what use is permitted on the road.
Do not rely on phones or other devices as a primary navigational or use determining tool, always carry a paper copy of the map and a compass, and know how to use them.
- Be sure to read the important information regarding OHV use located on each map near the legend.
Links to Download or View Motor Vehicle Use Map
- Vermilion River Area and Virginia Area
- Border Area and Ely Area
- Toimi Area and Isabella Area
- Upper Trail Area and Grand Marais Area
"Topographic Maps" provide the greatest level of detail and only cover small portions of a forest. The maps are available for download or purchase from the US Geological Survey website.
These maps are at a scale of 2.64 inches equals 1 mile and are in a 7 ½’ latitude by 7 ½’ longitude quadrangle format. They were derived from the U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Quadrangles, are highly detailed, and serve as the base for all other Superior National Forest maps. Topography is shown with a contour interval of 10 or 20 feet or 5 meters.
Topographical maps show topography of an area, boundaries between private and federal land, most roads and trails, and all water systems. For a map that shows the most up-to-date road and motorized trail information see the information on obtaining a Motor Vehicle Use Map.
The 2018 edition includes the entire Forest with the western portion on one side and the eastern portion of the Forest on the other side. Features on the map include the road system, lakes, streams, recreation areas, ownership, points of interest, and other information beneficial to Forest visitors. Maps are printed on water and tear resistant paper.
Forest Recreation Map: "Visitor Maps" for each national forest and grassland provide forest-wide information on attractions, facilities, services, and opportunities. These maps are available to purchase from any Forest office or the US Geological Survey website.
This is a map of the entire Forest at a scale of ½ inch equals 1 (one) mile.
The forest visitor maps show property boundaries, private and public land, recreation areas and day use areas, major roads and towns, and major water systems. These maps DO NOT show all existing Forest Service roads. For a map that shows the most up to date road and motorized trail information see the information on obtaining a Motor Vehicle Use Maps.