Where Can I Find the Quietest Campsite in America?

Shhh! Find silent shores in this isolated Boundary Waters hideaway

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The Answer

The shores of Medas and Moiyaka Lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Their two tent sites are not on any canoe routes and are isolated from roads by 20 miles of noise-filtering forest. Plus, federal regulations prohibit airline flyovers. Gravy: “They’re occupied just four or five times a summer,” says forestry technician Steve Cochran.

The Way

From entry point 74, 20 miles east of Ely, Minnesota, hike 11 miles east on the Kekekabic Trail. Spurs to the sites are marked with signs bearing tent symbols. Get permits ($16 adults, $8 youth/senior) at bwcaw.org.