There are many books about canoe country at your local library. Here are some we find useful and entertaining.
Camping How-To
- Canoe Country Camping by Michael Furtman
This is the only how-to book we would endorse for Boundary Waters camping.
History
- The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem by Miron Heinselman
A fascinating work on the natural history of the area, primarily focused on fire-based ecology. Highly recommended. - Our Historic Boundary Waters by Duane R. Lund
A good history of the area from the first white explorers to present. - Saving Quetico-Superior: A Land Set Apart by R. Newell Searle
An exhaustive study of the political and legal history of the border country. - The Voyageur’s Highway by Grace Lee Nute
Originally printed in 1941. A good history of the different people who inhabited and used the area through the early part of this century. - Up Country by William Joseph Seno
Actual journal entries and writings from some of the early explorers of the north country.
Plants and Animals
- The Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide to the North Woods by Daniel and Sullivan
A good all-around guide to natural history, plants, animals, and geology. Our favorite book on the area. - Canoe Country Wildlife by Mark Stensaas
Everything you ever wanted to know about the reproductive cycle of the leech, and much more! Black-and-white illustrations. - Canoe Country Flora by Mark Stensaas
Great information about the plants of canoe country. Illustrations are B&W, so it is not good as a field guide. - Plants of the Quetico and Ontario Shield by Shan Walshe
Currently out of print. The best field guide for plants in the area. - Tom Brown’s Guide to Tracking and Nature Observation by Tom Brown
A great book about learning to “be” in the woods and learn from them. - Wildflowers of the Boundary Waters: Hiking through the Seasons by Betty Vos Hemstad
Great photos of bud, flower and seed stages of over 100 flowers found in the Boundary Waters.
Peterson field guides
- A Field Guide to Wildflowers
Good for identification but not much information. - A Field Guide to Birds, Eastern edition
A basic bird identifier. - A Field Guide to Animal Tracks
Sometimes the best way to identify your neighbors in the woods. Also identifies scat and droppings of woodland animals.
Nature Writing and Photography
- The Singing Wilderness (and other titles) by Sigurd Olson
The best works I have found. - Canoe Country by F.L. Jaques
The story of a trip done the old way. Stunning illustrations. - Woman of the Boundary Waters by Justine Kerfoot
The life story of an area pioneer. - Challenge of the Wilderness by Calvin Rostrum
In the same style as Olson but more down-to-earth. - The Wild Neighborhood by John Henricksson
Short stories about our neighborhood’s “wild” inhabitants. - Chased by the Light by Jim Brandenburg
Awe-inspiring photography of the area. - Gunflint Territory by Jay Steinke
Excellent photos of the Gunflint Trail area. Many are here on our Web site. - Wildflowers of the Boundary Waters: Hiking through the Seasons by Betty Vos Hemstad
Great photos of bud, flower and seed stages of over 100 flowers found in the Boundary Waters.