Lake of the Woods County, at Minnesota’s far northwestern tip, is one of the most unique in the state—known for its vast wilderness and the famous Northwest Angle, the only part of the continental U.S. north of the 49th parallel. Created in 1922, it’s one of Minnesota’s newest and least populated counties. The county seat is Baudette, a friendly fishing and tourism town along the Rainy River. The region’s economy relies heavily on outdoor recreation, fishing lodges, and tourism. Housing is dominated by lakefront cabins, modular homes, and single-family residences. Much of the land is rural, wooded, or undeveloped, with long distances between communities. Home prices typically range from $210,000 – $290,000, though lakefront or resort properties can surpass $450,000. Building new homes averages $300–$350 per sq ft, with limited contractors in the region. For those drawn to remote living, world-class fishing, and pure wilderness, Lake of the Woods County offers a rare frontier lifestyle unlike anywhere else in the Midwest.