Lac La Croix is a large, expansive wilderness lake located along the U.S.–Canada border in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. One of the largest lakes in the western Boundary Waters, Lac La Croix features long stretches of open water, numerous islands and bays, rocky shorelines, and a network of routes connecting it to lakes on both sides of the border. The lake can be reached by several routes, including Entry Point 14 through the Little Indian Sioux River and Entry Point 12A from Crane Lake.
The size and exposure of Lac La Croix make it a very different paddling experience from the smaller lakes deeper within the Boundary Waters. Long open-water crossings can be challenging in wind and waves, and paddlers should pay close attention to weather conditions before crossing larger sections of the lake. The lake is known for fishing, wildlife viewing, scenic shorelines, and distinctive features such as Warrior Hill, Curtain Falls, and the many bays and islands along its perimeter.
Lac La Croix has numerous designated wilderness campsites along its U.S. shoreline, providing options for both traveling through the lake and setting up a basecamp for exploration. Motorized boats are permitted on the U.S. portion of Lac La Croix, with no horsepower limit, but motors are not allowed beyond the south end of Snow Bay. This means paddlers should be prepared to encounter motorized traffic on portions of the lake, particularly around the more accessible areas.
For paddlers, Lac La Croix is best suited to trips where open-water travel, changing conditions, and longer distances are part of the experience. Its size and connections to surrounding lakes allow for everything from a single-night stop to extended wilderness routes, while the combination of large open water, remote bays, islands, waterfalls, and border country makes it one of the more distinctive lakes in the western Boundary Waters.
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From MN DNR fisheries surveys (last 10 years)
Known invasives
Spiny waterflea
Clean and dry your gear before leaving to prevent spread.
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Lake data sourced from MN DNR LakeFinder · DOW 69022400
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