Wildflowers Plentiful Around Lake of the Woods

Did you know the Lake of the Woods area is absolutely full of a variety of wildflowers?   There are a number of scenic drives around this beautiful area and the Wildflower Route is certainly one of them.

In 1990, Governor Rudy Perpich declared 81 miles of Highway 11 a Minnesota Wildflower Route, in honor of the hundreds of thousands of Showy Lady’s-Slippers growing within sight of the road. The state put up signs depicting the Showy Lady’s-Slipper to mark the route, and pledged to expand the highway only to the south, protecting the masses of Showy Lady’s-Slippers on the north side of the road. The local people and wildflower enthusiasts gather in June for the annual “Wildflower Route Celebration,” at the Williams Senior Center in Williams, Minnesota.

More than two million orchids blanket the Lake of the Woods area. To catch a glimpse of these beautiful flowers, you’ll begin at the Lady Slipper Park in Williams, go through the town, then head west out to Blueberry Hill, located on the south side of Hwy 11. Please remember that it is illegal to pick or uproot the Showy Lady Slipper in Minnesota. However, you’re welcome to ”take” as many photos as you’d like!

For a free Wildflower Route Brochure and route map, just contact Lake of the Woods Tourism.

This is a self guided tour along this marked and labeled route featuring hundreds of the MN state flowers, the “Showy Lady Slipper” and the Yellow Lady Slipper which is one of the most common in the area with two variations, Large and Small. These beautiful orchids plus 50 plus other different wildflowers can be found in and around the 4+ mile route in Williams and at Blue Berry Hill park and camp ground, 4 miles west of Williams on Hwy. 11.

Lake of the Woods being so far north creates special opportunities to see variety that you may not see at home.  For some, this is a highlight.  For others, perhaps a break from fishing.  Whatever the case, be sure to bring your camera!

To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.