Exploring Minnesota's Arrowhead Region

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The Arrowhead Region of Minnesota covers over 10,000 square miles in the northeastern part of the state, encompassing the counties of Carlton, Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis. This distinct, arrowhead-shaped area is known for its thousands of lakes, boreal forests, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area, Voyageurs National Park, and the Mesabi Range, an important iron ore mining region. The region is also home to a unique geological feature in the town of Hibbing, where water can potentially flow into three major watersheds - the Mississippi River Basin, the Lake Superior Basin, and the Hudson Bay Basin.

Why it matters

The Arrowhead Region showcases Minnesota's incredible natural diversity, from its vast wilderness areas to its industrial mining heritage. As one of the most geographically unique parts of the state, the Arrowhead Region offers visitors a chance to experience Minnesota's stunning landscapes and learn about its important role in the nation's resource extraction history.

The details

The Arrowhead Region is larger than the U.S. state of Massachusetts, covering over 10,000 square miles of land in northeastern Minnesota. It is known for its thousands of lakes, large boreal forests, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area, Voyageurs National Park, and the Mesabi Range, an area that has been mined for iron ore since the 1890s. The region gets its name from its distinct arrowhead-like shape on the map.

• The Arrowhead Region has been an important part of Minnesota's geography and economy for over a century.
• The Mesabi Range in the Arrowhead Region has been mined for iron ore since the 1890s.