Routes and information courtesy of the Itasca Kayakers Club
For more information, please email Jim Lewis at itascakayakers@hotmail.com

Gunn Park ( Prairie Lake )
Located four miles north of Grand Rapids on Hwy 38, on the shores of Prairie Lake. Canoes and kayaks can be launched on the north side of Gunn Park, past the pavilion.

Hail Lake
Located north of Grand Rapids on Hwy 38. Turn Left on 9 th St. Turn Right on 6 th Ave.

Murphy's Landing ( Wabana Lake )
Located 5 miles north of Grand Rapids on Hwy 38 (past Prairie Lake ). Turn Right on Cty Rd 49. (Stay on Cty Rd 49, careful not to go straight on Cty Rd 59 when the opportunity presents itself.) Murphy's Landing is on the left, less than a mile from where you do not want to go straight on Cty Rd. 59.

Rice Lake
Located west of Grand Rapids on Cty Rd 63. Go 6 miles and turn Left on Cty Rd 242. Watch for lake access sign.

Tioga Beach ( Pokegama Lake )
Located on Tioga Beach Rd off Cty Rd 63 in Cohasset. Parking and launch access is available at Tioga Beach on Pokegama Lake. Optional: Canoeists and kayakers can paddle Jay Gould Lake or Pokegama Lake.

Willow Lake
Located west of Grand Rapids (drive through Cohasset) on Hwy 2. Turn south on Hwy 6 and go about 9 miles to the Willow Lake access. Lake access is on the east side of the highway.  

Additional Information

Minnesota Power Access 218-328-5711
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe_routes/mississippi3.pdf
Located west on Hwy 2 to Cohasset, turn Left onto Cty Rd 87. Minnesota Power provides launch access on the Mississippi River. Just prior to entering Jay Gould Lake, the Mississippi River exits on the left.

Pokegama Dam Recreation Area 218-326-6128 3810 Hwy 2 W, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe_routes/mississippi3.pdf
Located 2 miles west of Grand Rapids on Hwy 2. Turn Left at the Pokegama Dam signs. Campground, picnic area and safe refuge are available.

Scenic State Park 218-743-3362 56956 Scenic Hwy 7, Bigfork, MN 56628 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/scenic/index.html
Located 7 miles southeast of Bigfork at 56956 Cty Rd 7. Also 32 miles N of Hwy 169. Camp in the modern campground or venture back into one of the canoe sites on one of the seven pristine lakes in the park. Canoe rental available. (See Appendix K)

Schoolcraft State Park 218-247-7215 9042 Schoolcraft Lane NE Deer River, MN http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/schoolcraft/index.html
Travel 12 miles West on Hwy 2. Turn Left on Cty Rd 11 and go 5 miles. Turn Right on Cty Rd 18 and go 3 miles. Turn Left on Cty Rd 74 and go 2 miles. The park is named for Henry Schoolcraft who guided by the Anishinabe, found the source of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca. Boat access, picnic area, canoe and drive-in campsites are available. Staffed by the Hill Annex Mine State Park.

Trout Lake, Joyce Estates www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/chippewa/recreation/documents/troutlake.pdf
Located 13 miles North on Hwy 38 from Grand Rapids. Turn East on Cty Rd 60 and go 1 mile. Turn North on Cty Rd 335 and go 2 miles. (See Appendix G for map of trail)

Canoe & Kayak Routes