A small child in a blue hat and gray jacket stands on a dirt path near Rainy Lake, Minnesota, looking up at tall trees in a sunlit forest. Sunlight streams through the branches, illuminating the leaves and forest floor. | Rainy Lake, MN

Lost 40

A small child in a blue hat and gray jacket stands on a dirt path near Rainy Lake, Minnesota, looking up at tall trees in a sunlit forest. Sunlight streams through the branches, illuminating the leaves and forest floor. | Rainy Lake, MN

If you’re headed north on Highway 71 to Rainy Lake, take the detour to the Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area. This rare old-growth pine forest was accidentally spared from logging due to a 19th-century surveying error, leaving behind towering white and red pines more than 200 years old.

Visit Site

Related

A rocky shoreline covered with green pine trees sits beside the calm waters of Rainy Lake, Minnesota, under a pale sky. | Rainy Lake, MN

Anderson Bay Trail
Map of Voyageurs National Park and surrounding area in Minnesota, including Rainy Lake, showing snowmobile trails, safety warnings, lodging locations, trailheads, and amenities. Key and legend at the bottom; colored lines indicate routes and trail conditions. | Rainy Lake, MN

Arrowhead State Trail
A map of Black Bay Skiing and Hiking Trails near Rainy Lake, Minnesota, showing color-coded trails, parking areas, a visitor center, comfort stations, shelter, paddle access points, and a mileage scale. | Rainy Lake, MN

Black Bay Skiing and Beaver Pond Hiking Trail
A calm river, reminiscent of Minnesota’s Rainy Lake, reflects trees and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Pine trees line the rocky riverbank, while sunlight highlights patches of greenery along the peaceful shore. | Rainy Lake, MN

Little American Falls
A sign between two trees reads "Lofgren Park Campground" with an image of pine trees and a tent. This Minnesota park features grass, scattered autumn leaves, and background trees under a clear blue sky, not far from Rainy Lake. | Rainy Lake, MN

Lofgren Memorial Park
A lush wetland marsh with tall green reeds and cattails in the foreground, a calm Rainy Lake in the middle ground, trees on the right shoreline, and a partly cloudy Minnesota blue sky above. | Rainy Lake, MN

Oberholtzer trail
A light-colored building with a peaked roof is surrounded by green trees near Minnesota's Rainy Lake. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting shadows on the paved walkway leading to the entrance. | Rainy Lake, MN

Rainy Lake Visitor Center
A digital map shows Riverview Park near the Rainy River in International Falls, Minnesota, close to Rainy Lake. Nearby landmarks include hotels, shops, medical centers, and recreational areas. Major streets and businesses are labeled for reference. | Rainy Lake, MN

Riverview Park
A young child sits on the sandy ground beneath hanging playground stepping stones, surrounded by play structures and leafless trees on a sunny Minnesota day. | Rainy Lake, MN

Shorewood Park