St Louis County, northern Minnesota is a top destination for year round outdoor recreation. It's estimated that over 65,000 tourists visit Minnesota yearly to escape inner city and suburban life & enjoy the natural habitats of the State. In northern Minnesota, preserving nature is big business!

The eco-conscious lifestyle and community of northern Minnesota is reflected in the attractions that draw so many tourists to this special place. It also sheds light on why land values have never gone down and continue to rise at 5% year. Investing in nature just makes sense.

Located only 2 miles from Pike River Wilderness is Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort. Rated as Minnesota's #1 Ski Resort (SKI magazine), Giants Ridge offers 35 downhill runs, more than 60 km of cross country ski trails and one of Minnesota's hottest terrain parks.

In summer time Giants Ridge is a golfers' paradise. The Legend at Giants Ridge and The Quarry at Giants Ridge offer 36 holes of the Midwest's greatest golf. The Quarry was recently cited as "The Best Golf of the 21st Century," by Golf Digest writer Ron Whitten. Tour our spectacular courses online and you'll know why Giants Ridge was named among the "Top Six Golf Destinations in the World," by Golf World magazine.

Admittedly, we can't have all this pristine wilderness without some gambling and entertainment! Just 40 mins away from Pike River Wilderness one can visit the Fortune Bay Resort & Casino, owned by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fortune Bay is the region’s premier vacation destination. More than a fabulous luxury hotel, action-packed casino, 18-hole world-class golf course, full-service marina, secluded cabins, rustic RV park, complete conference and banquet center, and award-winning heritage center. It’s an escape from the ordinary. Located in a picturesque setting on the shores of lovely Lake Vermilion, surrounded by the wild, pristine beauty of Minnesota’s Northwoods.

Another major attraction to this region is Lake Vermilion. In the 1940s the National Geographic Society declared Lake Vermilion one of the top ten most scenic lakes in the United States, and it still is today. Located in Minnesota's famed Arrowhead Region, Lake Vermilion stretches 37 miles across northeastern Minnesota, and encompasses over 40,000 acres. Although it is one of the largest lakes in Minnesota, it is very navigable in almost any weather thanks to the 365 islands and hundreds of protected bays.

The National Superior Forest shares most of the eastern border of the Pike River Wilderness. Over 445,000 acres or 695 square miles of the forest is surface water. In addition, more than 1,300 miles of cold water streams and 950 miles of warm water streams flow within the boundaries of the Superior. Fish species such as walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout can be found in abundance in these waters. The northern forest community thrives with its pine, fir and spruce trees and is home to numerouse wildlife species including deer, moose, the gray wolf, and black bear. Northern Minnesota is the last stronghold of the gray wolf in the lower 48 states. Approximately 300-400 wolves continue to roam within the boundaries of the National Superior Forest today.