When it comes to Lake of the Woods County, most would think of Baudette, resorts and walleye fishing on Lake of The Woods. But there’s so much more to this far away region of Northwestern Minnesota.

My initial exposure to Lake of the Woods County came during a late summer trip across Northern Minnesota in 2009. I’d decided to spend a few days at Zippel Bay State Park while traveling east from Thief River Falls to my eventual journey’s end in the Arrowhead and Superior National Forest. It was not until 2012 however that I decided to really explore the remoteness of Beltrami Island State Forest, a vast area of forest and wetlands, mostly abandoned by homesteaders in the mid-1930s, that I discovered what the area really has to offer: If you want to know what it’s like to have 700,000+ acres of Northern Minnesota all to yourself, drive into Beltrami Island State Forest.

Yes, Lake of the Woods is a very far drive from Minneapolis. But it’s also uniquely Minnesota and very beautiful.
PineZippel Bay State Park

Pentax 67 - Fuji Velvia RVP 50

Lake of the Woods County
Lake of the WoodsZippel Bay State Park, Minnesota - September 4, 2010

Pentax 67 - Fuji Velvia 100F

Lake of the Woods County

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Zippel Bay ShoresZippel Bay State Park - August 27, 2009

Lake of the Woods County

Mamiya M645 Pro - Fuji Velvia RVP 50
North Branch Rapid RiverBeltrami Island State Forest

Lake of the Woods County Young PineBeltrami Island State Forest

Lake of the Woods County
Zippel Bay BeaconZippel Bay State Park

Lake of the Woods County
Beltrami PeatlandBeltrami Island State Forest

Lake of the Woods County
Roosevelt Norris Forest RoadBeltrami Island State Forest

Pentax 67 - Fuji Provia RDPIII 100F

Lake of the Woods County
Beltrami SunsetBeltrami Island State Forest

Pentax 67 - Fuji Provia RDPIII 100F

Lake of the Woods County
Blue MoonZippel Bay State Park

Pentax 67 - Fuji Velvia RVP 50

Lake of the Woods County
Beach at Zippel Bay State ParkZippel Bay State Park, Minnesota - September 4, 2010

Pentax 67 - Fuji Velvia RVP 50

Lake of the Woods County

Waning twilight...

The very serene Zippel Bay State Park is located on the Southern shores of Lake of the Woods in extreme Northwestern Minnesota, about 1/2 hour east of Warroad, MN. After a few visits, I'd come to realize this park's calm and quiet atmosphere is own to the simple fact that there are no electrical hookups for the RV crowd, and the city slickers.

Zippel Bay has 57 camp sites, and even the Labor Day weekend of this year only saw 27 of those sites occupied. If you like seclusion, this is THE PARK to find your peace while camping.

This campfire was lit to warm the kids after we'd been swimming in water cooler than the air of this early September night. As we were all getting ready to head back to the campsite, I was inspired to take a few minutes to re-light the fire for this photograph.
Zippel Bay MoonriseZippel Bay State Park, Minnesota - August 13, 2011

Pentax 67 - Fuji Velvia RVP 50

Lake of the Woods County
Zippel BayZippel Bay State Park - August 27, 2009

Lake of the Woods County

Mamiya M645 Pro - Fuji Velvia RVP 50
Lake of the Woods HazeZippel Bay State Park - August 26, 2009

Lake of the Woods County

Mamiya M645 Pro - Fuji Velvia RVP 50
Lake of the WoodsZippel Bay State Park - August 26, 2009

Lake of the Woods County

Mamiya M645 Pro - Fuji Velvia RVP 50
End of Civil Twilight at Zippel BayZippel Bay State Park - August 26, 2009

Lake of the Woods County

Mamiya M645 Pro - Fuji Velvia RVP 50
Hand Pump At Zippel Bay State ParkZippel Bay State Park - August 27, 2009

Lake of the Woods County

Mamiya M645 Pro - Fuji Velvia RVP 50
After setting up camp in the Ridge Campground, I went out on a walk and noticed this freshly painted fire engine red hand pump. At 10am the next morning, the light was perfect.
Zippel Bay CampingZippel Bay State Park

Lake of the Woods County
Baudette, MinnesotaHighway 1, Baudette, Minnesota