CASP volunteers fulfill mission of service on the Superior National Forest

Volunteers are vital to keeping public lands open and accessible. Most of our volunteers contribute a few hours or days, but others contribute weeks, months, or even an entire season. Groups who can volunteer for longer stretches help public land management agencies to complete more technical or longer duration projects. In 2025, with support from the Friends of the Superior National Forest, the Superior National Forest hosted the Conservative Anabaptist Service Program (CASP), whose members volunteered for an entire month working alongside recreation and heritage Forest Service staff.  

Group photo left to right: Jeremiah Zook, Elliot Beachy, Evan Beachy, Isaiah Beachy, Demetrius Beachy, Cameron Beachy, and Irvin Miller.

CASP’s vision is for its participants to fulfill their call of service through volunteerism by responding to the nation’s need for labor in forestry, conservation, or disaster project work.  Seven young men ages 18-20, from across the county, spent 22 days this past fall working on trails and portages in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). They completed an astonishing 1,400 hours of service work!

CASP member Irvin Miller shovels gravel for portage tread work at the Wood Lake Portage-Superior National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Christine Kolinski

“I wanted to do CASP to support the country in a non-resistant way. I don’t believe in the violence of war, but I want to support the country. My brothers have also done CASP, and I’ve heard good things about it. I also like camping out in the woods, so this was a great fit.” – Irvin Miller, one of four immediate family members that has done CASP trail service work.

A set of new stairs at Ojibway Lake Recreation Area-Superior National Forest by the 2025 CASP crew. USDA Forest Service photo by Mike Running

The volunteers completed the following: 

• Resurfaced almost a mile of BWCAW portage with gravel, built two 30’ rock turnpikes (a trail feature that elevates the trail to keep it dry), and installed 49 drainage and erosion control features. 

• Repaired an 80’ rotten boardwalk by disassembling it, leveling it with jacks and replacing the deck boards. 

• Built a new wooden stairway at a recreation area, cleared vegetation along trails at a Nordic trail system, brushed and cleared a four-mile portage trail, and helped staff maintain and restore several historic log cabins.  

The bridge to Wood Lake the group repaired. USDA Forest Service photo by Christine Kolinski

The volunteers were surprised at how friendly visitors were to them, stopping to talk and thanking them for their work. We're incredibly grateful for these CASP volunteers and the Forest Service staff who coordinated their work! Special thanks to Christine Kolinski for her work on this story.

Are you interested in volunteering to meet new people, gain new skills, and give back to the public lands around you? Friends of the Superior National Forest would love for you to join us! We'll be announcing our 2026 projects soon!

Summer adventures opportunities near Ely

While many seek out the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) for their summer adventures, the Superior National Forest (SNF) reminds visitors of the variety of recreation opportunities that exist outside of Wilderness. These locations are perfect for those looking for a more impromptu trip, for a camping experience without reserving a BWCAW permit, and for campers of all ages and abilities to enjoy as some are accessible by motorboat, vehicle, or off-highway vehicles. To learn about the types of camping on the SNF, check out SNF camping and cabins.

Today we'll highlight some recreation opportunities in the Kawishiwi Ranger District near Ely, MN!

Canoe on the beach at Fenske Lake landing. USDA Forest Service image by T. Terrell 

Ely is in the heart of Superior National Forest with a population of around 3,500 year-round residents. The Kawishiwi Ranger District office is located on the east end of town and is a great resource for questions and trip planning. Here are three areas to add to your bucket list this summer! 

Circle Route (Twin Lakes-Fenske Lake-Grassy Lake-Bass Lake Canoe Route)-This route offers 10 lakes and two rivers with first come-first served, backcountry campsites like those in the BWCAW. Fish, swim, paddle, camp, nap, and enjoy this fun canoe route. 

Nels Lake This lake has two first come-first served, backcountry sites that resemble near- wilderness single party site. They are accessible by foot or boat. 

Tofte Lake-This lake offers four first come-first served, backcountry campsites and a boat ramp. Four other nearby lakes make for fun day trip options.  

Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles. Be Bear Aware and store your food and garbage properly. All backcountry and rustic campsites are first-come, first-serve, with no fee for camping. Make sure to check area fire restrictions, alerts, closures, and office hours prior to your visit on the website. Have a blast making memories! 

Summer adventures await in the Superior National Forest near Cook, MN on the LaCroix Ranger District

Welcome to a new series where we highlight some lesser-known gems of the Superior National Forest!

Sign for the Astrid Lake Hiking Trail. (USDA Forest Service by C. Kolinski)

While many seek out the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) for their summer adventures, we'd like to remind visitors of the variety of recreation opportunities that exist outside of Wilderness. These locations are perfect for those looking for a more impromptu trip, for a camping experience without reserving a BWCAW permit, and for campers of all ages and abilities to enjoy as some are accessible by motorboat, vehicle, or off-highway vehicles.

To learn about the types of camping on the SNF, check out SNF camping and cabins.

Cook is a small town located within the Superior National Forest. The LaCroix Ranger District is located on Highway 53 North and is a great resource for questions and trip planning.

Here are three areas to add to your bucket list this summer:

• Hunting Shack River Route - In addition to the 4-interconnected lakes canoe route, this area offers seven miles of hiking trail, and six first come-first served, backcountry campsites. It provides an opportunity to experience wilderness-style camping without wilderness permits.

• Picket Lake - Picket Lake is a remote, quiet lake with three first-come-first served, backcountry campsites. Please pack out your garbage and bring your own potable water.

• Franklin Lake – This is a large, 156-acre lake with 2.5 miles of shoreline and two backcountry campsites (first come-first serve). There is a short portage that is open to ATVs.

  
  

Want to know more? Click here for more information on recreating around the LaCroix area.

Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles. Be Bear Aware and store your food and garbage properly. All backcountry and rustic campsites are first-come, first-serve, with no fee for camping. Make sure to check area fire restrictions, alerts, closures, and office hours prior to your visit on the website.

Have a blast making memories!

Summer view of the Hunting Shack River. (USDA Forest Service by C. Kolinski)