Minnesota Highpoint
Eagle Mountain
2,301 ft · Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness · Superior National Forest
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The summit pin marks Eagle Mountain in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The access pin marks the USGS-listed Eagle Mountain Trail parking area on Forest Road 170.
USGS-derived Eagle Mountain summit locationStandard route
Eagle Mountain Trail
From the Forest Road 170 trailhead, follow Eagle Mountain Trail north through boreal forest and rocky terrain into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The route passes near Whale Lake before climbing more steeply during the final portion to Eagle Mountain.
Distance
7 mi
Route
Out & back
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Eagle Mountain Trail Parking · Forest Road 170
Typical hazards: Wet and slippery rock, roots, mud, mosquitoes and ticks, rapidly changing weather, cold rain, wildfire conditions, and remote terrain with little or no cell coverage.
Superior National Forest lists the trail at 3.5 miles to the summit one way and describes it as rocky with the main climbing concentrated in the final mile. Older Forest Service material rates the route Moderate to Difficult.
Superior National Forest: Gunflint and Tofte hiking guidePermits & fees
2026 requirements
Day hike
All visitors entering the BWCAW need a permit. Non-motorized day hikers use a free self-issued permit available at entry-point kiosks or Superior National Forest offices.
- Entry point
- 79 · Eagle Mountain Trail
- Reservation
- Not required for day hiking
- Permit
- Free self-issued BWCAW permit
- Maximum group
- 9 people
Overnight hiking · May 1–September 30
Overnight hikers during quota season need an advance BWCAW quota permit. Eagle Mountain Trail entry point 79 currently has a quota of one overnight hiking group per day.
- Entry point quota
- 1 overnight hiking group per day
- Reservation fee
- $6 per permit
- Adult recreation fee
- $16 per trip
- Youth recreation fee
- $8 per trip
Access
Forest Road 170
The Eagle Mountain Trail begins from a remote Forest Service trailhead on Forest Road 170 northwest of Grand Marais. The route enters the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as entry point 79.
A small parking area serves the trailhead.
The USGS-listed Eagle Mountain Trail parking area is on Forest Road 170. This is a remote forest-road approach, so check current road and weather conditions and do not rely on continuous cellular service.
Park amenities
- Small trailhead parking area
- Two designated wilderness campsites near Whale Lake
- Natural water sources that must be treated
Know before you go
Boundary Waters wilderness rules
Carry the required BWCAW permit whenever the route enters the wilderness.
Maximum wilderness group size is nine people.
Cans and glass bottles are prohibited except for specified fuel, medicine, and insect-repellent containers.
Pack out all trash and protect fragile vegetation around the rocky summit.
Drone operation is prohibited in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Use only established wilderness campsites when camping during the ice-free season.
Conditions
Check before leaving
Check Superior National Forest alerts, wildfire conditions, and road access before leaving. BWCAW travel is remote and visitors should be prepared to be self-sufficient if weather, fire, injury, or navigation problems occur.