David Ohnstad, Author at David Ohnstad Minnesota

BWCA Permit Lottery: Book Fourth of July Before It’s Gone

Every summer, hundreds of paddlers watch Recreation.gov turn their favorite Boundary Waters routes red within hours. Jake learned this hard way when all his researched entry points sold out by mid-June. Here’s how to actually land your Fourth of July wilderness permit.

BWCA Booking Tips: Beating the Recreation.gov Rush

Mid-June panic hits when Recreation.gov shows nothing but red X’s for popular BWCA dates. Discover the strategies successful paddlers use to actually secure permits for Independence Day weekend and other peak seasons in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.

Hidden Trail Gaps: Exploring Minnesota’s Unfinished Hiking Routes

The trail simply ends at a pin oak, forty yards from County Road 2. No dramatic cliff or river crossing—just a faded surveyor’s ribbon, thick undergrowth, and months of silence. What lies beyond Minnesota’s unbuilt trail sections?

North Country Trail Section 14: Where Minnesota’s Path Vanishes

Seven miles west of Silver Bay, the North Country Trail’s Section 14 ends not with drama but with a blue blaze on a pin oak and seventy feet of unmarked forest. David Ohnstad investigates what happened to Minnesota’s disappearing footpath.

Moose Lake BWCA Entry: Three-Day Father’s Day Trip Guide

The Moose Lake entry sits 26 miles northeast of Ely, offering a perfect Father’s Day framework for Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. Launching Thursday instead of Friday beats the weekend rush and gives families calmer paddling conditions and better campsite selection.

Boundary Waters Fire Management: Rethinking Wilderness Policy

The Ely wildfire sparks a critical conversation about wilderness preservation. David Ohnstad challenges whether hands-off forest management policies are actually protecting or endangering Minnesota’s most iconic paddling destination.

Superior Hiking Trail: Skip the Crowded Weekends

Everyone in Minnesota showed up at the same trailhead on the same Saturday. David Ohnstad explores why the Superior Hiking Trail’s 40th anniversary celebration might not be the best time for your adventure—and when you should actually go.

Boundary Waters Permits: Demand Surges as Water Quality Concerns Rise

Summer 2026 brought record demand for Boundary Waters Canoe Area permits—weekend slots filled in 72 hours. But behind the numbers lies a growing water quality question that could reshape how paddlers plan their trips.

Minnesota State Park Reservations: First-Timer Strategy Guide

The Minnesota camping reservation window opens June 1st at 8 a.m., and premium lakefront sites vanish within ninety seconds. First-timers need a battle plan—this isn’t casual trip planning. Here’s exactly what to do before the clock starts ticking.

Northern Minnesota’s Best Campsites for Stargazing: Where to Pitch Your Tent Under the Stars

Northern Minnesota’s night skies offer a glimpse into the cosmos, where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the universe and reconnect with the world around you.