NW ANGLE
The Northwest Angle aka “the Angle” is located on the northern side of Lake of the Woods, or when viewing a map, the “chimney”. The area is 596.3 miles, 473.2 miles of that is water. It is also the northern most point of the contiguous 48 states. The Angle is in coexistence with Angle Township and Lake of the Woods County, surrounded by Manitoba and Ontario. The reefs create a fun and unique fishing experience for all!
There are many ways to travel to the NW Angle. Some resorts offer boat and ice transport services that operate within MN. When traveling by vehicle over land, this beautiful journey is about 60 miles from the U.S./Canada border. With scenic roads made up of both tar and gravel, this journey is filled with wildlife.When crossing the U.S. / Canada border, the proper documents are required. Six forms of documentation are acceptable as of 2009. They include the US Passport, US Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced ID Card, NEXUS Card, SENTRI Card, or the FAST Card.Very simply, remember, whenever you cross the US/Canadian border, you must check in with the country you are entering. Up at the NW Angle, there are not manned check in stations. Thus, anyone crossing the border must call in on OARS phone (videophone) to check in. This is typically a short and simple process. These OARS phones are located at Jim’s corner, the Church, or Young’s Bay.Visitors with DUI’s must check with the Canada Border Services Agency prior to their trip and apply for a the proper credentials to cross into Canada before arriving.
Some angle resorts have an iPad loaded with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection check in program. Resorts provide a heated, somewhat private area with WiFi connectivity. Visitors who cross into Canada and touch land, come in contact with another vessel, or use an anchor must check back into the U.S. with one of the designated i Pads instead of traveling to the nearest OARS phone. Ice equals land as well.
Visitors can also download the same U.S. Customs and Border Protection app onto their smartphone devices. Visitors then will go through a similar info gathering session, which in turn will generate a video conference with a Customs agent.
Check out this great video about the NW Angle.
Fort St. Charles located on Magnuson Island is a must see destination for visitors to the NW Angle. It is free and open to the public.
Visitors to Canada…
http://www.cbsa-asfc.
–The bi-national NEXUS program.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/
–The U.S. I-68 Canadian border boat landing program.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/
-CANPASS remote area border crossing permit (RABC).
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/
Pet lovers, remember, vaccination papers are required for pets. For more information on crossing into Canada, http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/
Enhanced Driver’s License and Enhanced ID Card. MN is now the 5th state in the U.S. offering EDL/EID, which are accepted forms of identification and proof of residency.
As of February 3, 2014, the State of Minnesota offers Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) and Enhanced Identification Cards (EID). They are dual-purpose card(s) designed for the user’s convenience. In addition to serving as a typical driver’s license, the card allows a Minnesota resident to re-enter the U.S. at its land or seaports when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. An EDL is also available to a driver who qualifies for a commercial driver license (CDL).
This flexibility speeds your passage back across the border. They verify your identity and citizenship–no other proof is required. EDL and EID cards are among the federally-approved border-crossing documents required under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). For more info, https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/d
Click HERE to connect to our Getting Here page for a list of shuttles, car rentals, airports and more!
From Warroad: Take MN-313 N into Manitoba, CN. After 12.6 miles, make a right turn onto MB-308 N (follow signs for Sprague just before Esso gas Station). After 27 miles, take a right onto MB-525 E (this will enter back into MN). Continue on Co Rd 330 Angle Road NW.
From Roseau: Follow HWY 310 into Manitoba, CN 10 miles. Continuing on to Main St, turn right onto Manitoba 12 S. Travel 5.9 miles and take a left on MB-308 N (turning by Esso gas station following signs for Sprague. After 27 miles, take the right onto MB-525 E (entering MN). Continue onto Co Rd 330 Angle Road NW.
What to do when you get there:
You are required to stop and “check-in” with U.S. Customs after making the journey through Canada to the NW Angle. Most resorts have an iPad you can check in to U.S. Customs with via their ROAM App.
Another option is to stop at Jim’s Corner on your way in as there is an iPad for checking in there as well.
When leaving the Angle, if you are headed south back to the U.S., you must check in with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) as you will be driving through Canada for a stretch. You can either stop at Jim’s Corner or call the 1-888-CAN-PASS number. Have License Plate of your vehicle and names and date of birth for all passengers available.
Take the lake. Some choose to travel to the Angle across the lake which keeps you in Minnesota and avoids crossing the border. There are a number of options.
- Boat across on your own
- Snowmobile across on marked and groomed trails
- Use the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat during open water and bombardier shuttle across the ice)
- Fly with Lake Country Air. (Float plane in the open water, skis on plane in winter)
Contact your favorite NW Angle resort for details or info.
In the winter, snowmobile trails are groomed and marked during the winter months from both the South Shore and Warroad. A shelter is located on Garden Island about 30 miles off the South Shore if you need a break, or want to warm up. If your sled is not registered in MN, you will need a trail sticker when traveling.
Explore the Area!
Check out the islands and mainland for even more Angle adventures. Miles of sandy beaches are another great way to spend a day on the lake.
Massacre Island, Eagle’s Rock, Penasse Island, and Fort St Charles are all great spots to learn a little history.
Birding and Wildlife are abundant in the area, as are the wild flowers, wild rice, blueberries, and raspberries.
Play a round of golf on the Northern-most 9 hole golf course in America. Take a boat tour of the lake; if you head over to Morson, ON check out Painted Rock Island that has evidence of the area’s earliest inhabitants! Paintings dating over 1,000 years can be seen here. Late at night the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
The Northern Most Point Marker
The northernmost marker is located at Young’s Bay Resort in the community of Angle Inlet, MN. Young’s Bay was chosen as it is where the main marina is located for visitors and residents who are staying on one of the island resorts or cabins amongst the islands of the NW Angle. It is also adjacent to the bar and restaurant of the Angle called Jerry’s is located where folks will stop in for a cold beer or a good burger
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