Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail in Voyageurs National Park is a very short, easy, and unique loop trail at the beginning of Mead Wood Road near the Ash River Visitor Center, where hikers can experience a remarkable amount of species diversity in a relatively small area, something that is often seen over much greater distances across the park!
That said, I highly recommend reading the sign at the very beginning of the trail, as it best depicts the immense diversity of forest types on the short loop and why southern boreal forests, such as those found across northern Minnesota, are so special!
Before visiting, know that there is one fairly steep hill on the short hike, but it is because of this steep gradient between the upper and lower halves of the loop that such a uniquely diverse forest exists!
Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trailhead Parking
The Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail is the first trailhead off Mead Wood Road, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from the junction with Ash River Trail Road.
Parking at the trailhead is typically fairly easy to come by, and the small lot has a handful of spots for larger recreational vehicles or those pulling a trailer.
Google Maps Directions: Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Voyageurs
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Voyageurs National Park.
Hiking the Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail
The Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trailhead is the highest point on the entire hike, meaning the trail starts descending almost immediately.
On a different note, don’t forget to read the trailhead sign before starting the hike, as it is the best way to truly understand the forest diversity you’re about to experience on the short loop.
Voyageurs Forest Overlook Loop Trail
Just a few steps from the trailhead, the Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail reaches the start of the roughly 0.3-mile (0.5 km) loop.
That said, I personally recommend going right (straight) to hike counterclockwise around the loop because it is a much more gradual descent to the lowest point, and I typically think it’s easier to go up the steepest sections of a hike than down.
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go right at the start of the loop.
As the Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail works its way down toward the bottom of the loop, the forest type quickly changes, as depicted on the trailhead sign, from deciduous species like Maples and Aspen to one dominated by Black Spruce.
However, this will quickly change once the loop reaches its lowest point and starts climbing the steep hillside to the upper half of the hike again.
This is the lowest point on the Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail, located roughly 60 ft. (18 m) below the highest point at the trailhead.
This is the bottom of the steepest part of the trail on the far western side of the Forest Overlook Loop.
It truly is a fast transition back to a deciduous forest dominated by Aspens and Maples!
This is where the steepest parts of the hike back to the trailhead significantly level out.
These Pines on the left-hand side of the photo below are Eastern White Pines, which, again, hopefully helps show just how fast the steep hillside influences the transition from a Black Spruce-dominated forest to a more mixed northern boreal forest.
Don’t forget to look up at the beautiful Aspens overhead!
Voyageurs Forest Overlook Loop Junction
This is where the Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail completes the short 0.3-mile (0.5 km) loop that first split shortly after beginning the hike.
Once here, go right if you also chose to hike the loop counterclockwise to return to the trailhead just around the corner.
