The community is located 15 miles north of Deer River on Minnesota State Highway 6.

The center of Bowstring is generally considered at the intersection of State Highway 6 (MN 6) and Itasca County Road 133 (CR 133).

Nearby places include Talmoon, Marcell, Spring Lake, and Inger.

Buildings include a church, the Bowstring Store, the USDA fire warden's office, a community center, and several houses.

The community has served travelers, tourists, and the area's few permanent residents since being settled in the 1920s.