1959 Map of Crocodile Lake

About this map

Crocodile Lake and the winding Crocodile River define the central geography of this wilderness region within the Superior National Forest. Surveyed in the late 1950s, the map documents the intricate water network of the Boundary Waters area, tracing the international border through Mountain Lake, Watap Lake, and Rove Lake. The landscape is dominated by elongated glacial lakes, including the expansive Clearwater Lake and East Bearskin Lake, separated by steep ridges and connected by historic travel routes like the Watap Portage. The southern portion transitions into the Minnesota State Forest, where the Gunflint Trail provides the primary overland access. Notable landmarks such as Johnson Falls near Pine Lake and the remote Pierz Lake reflect the undisturbed character of this borderland environment before the era of modern motorized restrictions.