Bird Lake
Photo: chief_huddleston, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 8.0 mi
- loop
- 376 ft
- climb
- 1,581 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is BIRD LAKE open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name BIRD LAKE, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
Agency closure covering Superior National Forest · Order 09-09-00-26-11 · USFS · Superior National Forest
Closure Notice for Public Safety – Laurentian District
Agency closure covering Laurentian Ranger District · USFS · Laurentian Ranger District
Forest Road Improvement Projects
Agency alert covering Superior National Forest · USFS · Superior National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Bird Lake is a moderate 8-mile loop hike in the Laurentian Ranger District of Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. The trail starts at about 1,511 feet and reaches a high point of 1,581 feet, with a total elevation gain and loss of 376 feet each way. The climb is mostly flat, and the steepest stretch comes at about 3.9 miles, with a grade of about 4 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Embarrass weather station show July highs around 78°F and lows near 49°F, while winter highs stay in the teens and 20s. The trip takes about 3 hours. The East Range Multi-Use Trail is about a mile away, and the Colby Lake Trail and Bird Lake Trail, both used for cross-country skiing, are within about 2 miles. The Laurentian Ranger District's lake fishing area is about 5 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Lodge of Whispering Pines / Echo Trail Outfitters35 mi away
- Snowbank Lodge and Outfitters44 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit BIRD LAKE
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
17° / -7°
8 wet
Feb
23° / -5°
7 wet
Mar
36° / 9°
7 wet
Apr
50° / 23°
8 wet
May
64° / 35°
11 wet
Jun
73° / 45°
12 wet
Jul
78° / 49°
11 wet
Aug
76° / 47°
10 wet
Sep
66° / 41°
11 wet
Oct
51° / 30°
11 wet
Nov
34° / 17°
10 wet
Dec
22° / 3°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Embarrass, MN, 9.9 mi away at 1,425 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: chief_huddleston, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)East Range Multi-Use Trail
~2 min drive
Easy 1.88-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota's Iron Range region.
HIKE
BUNDLE LAKE SPUR A
~19 min drive
8.12-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 661 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Cadotte Lake Campground
~23 min drive
0.60-mile out-and-back trail at Cadotte Lake Campground in Minnesota.
HIKE
Stone
~19 min drive
3.98-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 243 ft gain.
HIKE
St Louis River Hunter W Sec A
~5 min drive
1.46-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 20 ft gain.
HIKE
Harris Lake
~28 min drive
5.38-mile out-and-back trail to Harris Lake in Minnesota with 271 ft gain.
HIKE
BIRD LAKE SPUR B
~5 min drive
2.26-mile loop trail in Minnesota with 320 ft elevation gain
HIKE
BIRD LAKE SPUR F
~7 min drive
5.12-mile loop trail in Minnesota with 468 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
BIRD LAKE SPUR D
~5 min drive
2.24-mile loop in Minnesota with 197 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
St Louis River Hunter W Sec D
~6 min drive
1.18-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 52 ft of elevation gain.
