Early in October I took a 1,000 mile bike camping trip that included traveling to the Northwest Angle of Minnesota. Leaving Duluth, I took a variety of secondary roads to Roseau Mn. After leaving Roseau, which is on the northern border it is only a 16 mile drive to reach the Canadian Border. That is when the unusual ride begins. Entering Ontario the Canadian Border Officer asks, "what is your destination?" I reply the Northwest Angle. I am then instructed that when I reenter the USA I am required to check in at a remote border station at Jim's Corner. Fifty miles later, including 24 on isolated gravel roads Jim's corner comes into view. I am now back in Minnesota and am required to check in with the Us Border Patrol Officer at a remote border site. There is a small building the size of a shed (8'X8') with a metal box on the outside containing a phone with two buttons and a video screen. One button is labeled US the other Canada. Pushing the US button I get a customs agent and also see my image on the video screen. After answering several questions, I have officially reported back into the USA. On the way out the next day, I follow the same procedure but contact the Canadian agent.
The Northwest Angle is unique with a small population mainly composed of Resort owners and other such tourist services (as far as I could tell). While camping a Young's Bay Resort, I met several people who spend time in the area fishing. Rainey Lake is a very large body of water which offers excellent Walleye fishing. It is also the lake that prohibits one to drive to the Northwest Angle, as it cuts off this part of the USA from the rest of the state of Minnesota. A person can launch near Roseau and boat to the Angle without entering Canadian waters. Since Honda Motorcycle Corporation has not produced a motorcycle that converts to a boat, there is only one option available for the adventuring biker.
As far as I could tell, there are not any spectacular vistas or roads in the Angle. I did not explore any more that to ride to the shores of Rainy Lake at Young's Bay. My sense is that the unusual aspect to such a trip is crossing the borders via remote posts and I expect there may be many unique people in the area with intriguing stories.
There are some great roads to travel to reach Roseau from my home in Duluth. I made the trip up to the Northwest Angle a 394 mile ride due to wandering a bit rather than a direct route. Heading home was a two day process as I headed east across Minnesota on State Hwy 11 which follows the northern border along the bank of the Rainey River. I spent my second night camping along the ever popular State Hwy 1, which is well known to bikers. I finished my trip with an excursion up State Hwy 61 along the shore of Lake Superior to Grand Marais, before heading back to Duluth.
If you ever want to take an unusual bike adventure, I recommend the Northwest Angle of Minnesota. The only detail you need to know; you are required to have a passport to cross into Canada.
