South Lake to Rose Lake

Overview

The South Lake to Rose Lake route begins and ends at Entry Point 58 on South Lake, near the Laurentian Divide along the Gunflint Trail. From South Lake, the route travels east through Rat Lake to reach Rose Lake before returning by the same path, making this an out-and-back trip.

South Lake sits along the historic border route between the United States and Canada, and paddlers on this route follow a small piece of that same corridor east toward Rose Lake. Rat Lake connects the two larger lakes with a short portage, and Rose Lake itself opens into a long, scenic stretch of water along the international border, with forested hills rising on both the Minnesota and Ontario shorelines. The return trip retraces this same water, offering a second look at the lakes from the opposite direction.

This route works well for paddlers looking for a shorter trip with a strong sense of place, since the border corridor offers a different feel than more interior BWCA lakes. Its modest distance and limited number of portages make it approachable for groups with less portaging experience, while the open water on Rose Lake still offers a full day of paddling.

Route Highlights

• South Lake along the historic border route corridor
• Rat Lake as the connecting point between South and Rose Lakes
• Open water along Rose Lake on the international border