Koochiching County

Koochiching County is an administrative county in northern Minnesota covering forests, lakes, and rivers with a border along Canada at the Rainy River. The area features an extensive network of waterways and dense woodlands that define the northern edge of the state.

The county was separated from Itasca County on December 19, 1906, during a period when logging was expanding rapidly across northern Minnesota. This division occurred at the height of resource development that reshaped the region.

The name comes from Ojibwe and Cree languages, meaning "at the place of inlets," which reflects the Native American heritage that shaped this region.

International Falls, the county seat, serves as the central hub for visitor services and administrative information. The region is best explored by car, and visitors should prepare for extreme cold conditions during winter months.

The region includes parts of Voyageurs National Park, an expansive water-based landscape that requires boats to fully explore. International Falls holds a record for extreme winter cold, making it one of the coldest places in the nation.