A Journey Through Big Bog and the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway

Showy Lady’s Slipper, Photo: Diana Pierce

Some adventures ask you to slow down.

At Big Bog State Recreation Area and the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, I didn’t just find orchids—I found a reminder that beauty blooms at its own pace.

Exploring Big Bog: A Walk on the Wild Side

Just north of Red Lake, Minnesota, Big Bog State Recreation Area is home to the largest patterned peatland in the lower 48—and one of the best places to spot rare flora like the Showy Lady’s Slipper in late June.

In Ojibwe (Anishinaabemowin), the Lady’s Slipper is sometimes called Miskwaabiiminens—meaning “little red pouch.” In stories passed down through generations, the flower represents endurance and sacrifice. One legend tells of a girl who ran barefoot through snow to save her village, her bloodied footprints later blooming into orchids.

Wild and protected—Minnesota’s state flower blooms freely in the bog’s open light. Photo: Diana Pierce

The park’s accessible boardwalk floats a mile into this remarkable landscape—easy for strollers and wheelchairs yet suspended above sensitive ground. I laced up my boots (and yes, pulled on my head net—mosquito armor is essential) and stepped into a hushed, living world.

Come prepared—biting flies and mosquitoes thrive in this rich ecosystem. Photo: Scott Bemman

There’s something magical about that quiet stretch—flowers at your feet, birds overhead, and the hum of life all around. Some of that hum comes from the mosquitoes—but this is their home, too. I paused often on the benches tucked along the walk, letting the moment sink in.

Flora & Fauna: Strange and Beautiful

At the boardwalk’s end, nestled among the mosses, the pitcher plant stands tall with its deep red-veined tube, ready to trap unwary insects in its water-filled cavity. Just to the side, look closely—tiny, glistening sundew leaves are armed with sticky tentacles that curl around their prey.

Together, these plants turn a nutrient-poor peatland into a carnivorous buffet. Nature’s ingenuity on full display.

Bog hunters side by side — pitcher plant and round-leafed sundews, each with a clever trap. Photo: Diana Pierce

Tall spike bloom is also part of the Pitcher Plant. Photo: Diana Pierce

Near the trailhead, a different kind of wild beauty: the Northern Blue Flag Iris, blooming in bold violet near the lake’s edge. This native flower, used historically in Ojibwe medicine, symbolizes resilience and purification—flourishing where water meets land.

A splash of color—Northern Blue Flag Iris blooms near the boardwalk’s entrance. Photo: Diana Pierce

Then came a shimmer of blue—the Northern Bluet Damselfly, its slender body glowing in the gray light. Believed by some to represent purity and protection, it hovered like a living exclamation point above the green reeds.

Hovering like a neon sign, damselflies bring a flash of lightness to the bog. Photo: Diana Pierce

Hiking Club Spirit

Along the boardwalk, I met a couple logging miles for the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club. One proudly shared she had just reached her 100-mile milestone—earning both a badge and a two-night camping certificate. Their goal? Hike as many northern parks as possible in a single, unforgettable week. ​Learn more about the club here.

Scenic Detour: Lady Slipper Byway

The next day, drizzle didn’t stop us. We drove 55 minutes south to the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, which winds between Blackduck and Cass Lake. Recently renamed in honor of our state flower, the area becomes a wild roadside garden in early summer.

Watch for blooms—and signs. The Lady Slipper Scenic Byway is a hidden summer gem. Photo: Scott Bemman

Just north of Pennington, I stopped at a small boardwalk-style path.

While photographing blooms, I met three girls standing in awe, pointing to blooms tucked between birch trees. As they walked, I heard one of them counting the flowers. When they returned I asked how many flowers? She told me, “I counted over 150... but I think there’s more.” From what I saw, that was probably the case.

A shared moment of awe—young explorers spot over 150 Lady’s Slippers in bloom. Photo: Diana Pierce

Worth the drizzle—a quiet roadside encounter with Minnesota’s most elegant flower. Photo: Scott Bemman

An unexpected oasis—delicate blooms flourish at the interpretive site. Photo: Diana Pierce

Note: Wild parsnip and poison ivy also grow here. Admire the wild but tread carefully.

Final Reflection

On this trip, I saw butterflies in the rain, orchids in bloom, and the quiet joy of three young girls connecting with the land.

A flash of joy between raindrops—a male Yellow Swallowtail. Photo: Diana Pierce

Places like these—the bog, the roadside, the wild edges—remind us how easily life’s quiet miracles can pass us by if we don’t slow down and look.

Before You Go:

• Best time to visit: Late June

• Big Bog Boardwalk: 1 mile out, 1 mile back

• Pack: Water, bug spray, head net, curiosity

• Stay on trails: The bog is delicate and long to heal

• Look for: Lady’s Slippers, damselflies, pitcher plants, butterflies

Just like wild orchids, we each bloom in our own time. May your journey be as unique and beautiful as the flowers you discover.

Have you spotted a wild orchid or butterfly out in the wild? Share your photos or stories—

I’d love to bloom together

#BloomwithMe

Diana Pierce

Diana Pierce Photography

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About the Author:​ Diana Pierce is a floral photographer, writer, and Art in Bloom participant who shares her passion for flowers and creativity through her newsletter, Bloom With Me and Fresh Cuttings