A free Chippewa National Forest campground two miles northwest of Wirt, with drive-in sites among birch and white pine and carry-in access to Noma Lake.
Noma Lake Campground is a Chippewa National Forest campground two miles northwest of Wirt on County Road 31, south of the Koochiching County line in Itasca County and an easy drive from International Falls. The sites are drive-in, on short gravel spurs a few steps off the road. The Forest Service now lists it as a backcountry site, which here means no fee, no reservations and no services rather than a hike in; there is a vault toilet.
The sites sit in a stand of paper birch and white pine, each with a picnic table and a steel fire ring... Read more
Bass Lake County Park and Campground is a 663-acre Itasca County park with 43 campsites, four lakes, a swimming beach, and miles of multi-use trails between Effie and Togo.
Bass Lake County Park and Campground encompasses 663 acres of red and white pine, spruce, aspen, and cedar off State Aid Highway 1, eleven miles east of Effie and eleven miles west of Togo. Managed by the Itasca County Land Department, the park was purchased by the county in 1984 from the Boise Cascade Corporation with the help of a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. Four lakes lie within its borders: Bass and Duck each have a county boat ramp, Erskine is a carry-in trout lake stocked with rainbow trout and splake, and Sucker rounds out the set.... Read more
Togo Horse Camp is a DNR equestrian campground in George Washington State Forest with 12 pull-through campsites, picket lines, and 19 miles of signed trails.
Togo Horse Camp is one of two horse campgrounds in George Washington State Forest, tucked into the red pines off County Road 551 near Togo. The camp offers 12 primitive equestrian campsites — a cleared area, fire ring, and picnic table at each — with pull-through parking, picket lines at every site, manure bunkers, and an accessible horse loading ramp. Portable corrals and electric fences are welcome, as long as they don’t encircle trees.
Two accessible vault toilets, garbage dumpsters, and drinking water serve the camp, and the well can be pumped by hand or by hooking up your own... Read more
Thistledew Lake Campground is a DNR state-forest campground with 21 drive-in campsites, a swimming beach, and first-rate walleye fishing on a clear 326-acre lake near Togo.
Thistledew Lake Campground sits on the shore of its namesake lake in George Washington State Forest, about five miles southwest of Togo off County Road 551. The forest — created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1931 to mark the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth — spreads across 320,534 acres of northeastern Itasca County, and Thistledew is one of its eight campgrounds and one of just three with a swimming beach and picnic day-use area (Owen Lake and Bear Lake are the others).
The campground offers 21 drive-in campsites, two of them accessible, in the classic primitive state-forest style:... Read more
A fenced Lions Club playground on International Avenue in Big Falls, with play structures, swings, a basketball court, and a picnic shelter.
A fenced Lions Club community playground on International Avenue in Big Falls, with play structures, merry-go-rounds, swings, a basketball court, and a picnic shelter. Open 7 AM to 10 PM.
Municipal campground on the Big Fork River in Big Falls, Minnesota. Home to Grand Falls, a set of powerful rapids viewable from the campground grounds.
Big Falls Municipal Campground sits on the Big Fork River in the town of Big Falls, about 39 miles south of International Falls on Highway 71. The campground is home to Grand Falls, a set of powerful rapids on the Big Fork River.
The rapids are viewable directly from the campground grounds. A wide, flat rock shelf above the water provides easy access to the viewing area without a hike. Parking is ample. The rapids are especially impressive in spring when water levels are high from snowmelt and rain.
Make a splash at Ranier Beach!
Ranier Beach provides a peaceful setting along the shores of Rainy Lake. This public beach offers a simple and enjoyable space for locals and visitors to relax and take in the natural surroundings. Some parts of downtown Ranier are visible from the beach as well. The beach also offers serval benches to sit at and enjoy the views.
Ranier Beach provides activities for individuals and families of all ages. Swimming is popular during the summer months, and the beach area is well-suited for sunbathing and casual picnics. The lake also... Read more
Little American Falls is a hidden gem that offers a perfect day trip or camping trip for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.
In the serene wilderness of South Koochiching County, Little American Falls is a hidden gem that offers a perfect day trip or camping trip for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. This charming waterfall is part of the Big Fork River, a waterway renowned for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
The journey to Little American Falls is an adventure in itself. Paddlers can follow a scenic route that takes them through lush forests and along winding rivers. The hiking trail is particularly stunning in the spring, when the water... Read more
Riverside Park in International Falls, Minnesota, is a city-maintained park along the Rainy River that offers dog-friendly amenities, challenging footpaths, and river shore fishing access.
The Lost 40, located in Minnesota’s Chippewa National Forest, is a rare remnant of old-growth forest that was spared from logging due to a surveying error in 1882. Today, this 114-acre area stands as a critical habitat for diverse wildlife and a living testament to the region’s ecological history.
The Lost 40, located in the Chippewa National Forest, is a pristine example of Minnesota’s old-growth pine forest. This area remained untouched by logging operations, which decimated much of the region’s original forests, due to a surveying error in 1882. The surveyor, Josiah A. King, mistakenly plotted Coddington Lake about half a mile further northwest than its actual location. As a result, the 114-acre area known today as the Lost 40 was never logged, preserving a rare stand of virgin red and white pine trees.
A Snapshot of the Past
The Lost 40 is home to some of the... Read more
Oberholtzer Hiking Trail offers stunning views throughout Voyageurs National Park!
The Oberholtzer Hiking Trail is a 1.6-mile loop located near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park. Named in honor of Ernest Oberholtzer, a prominent conservationist, the trail offers visitors a glimpse of the diverse landscapes in the park, ranging from deciduous and coniferous forests to wetland areas with scenic views.
ISD 361 Playground offer basketball hoops and a picnic area!
Willy the Walleye, as the locals refer to it, is the first thing you see on the way to Lake Kabetogama!
As visitors enter Kabetogama Township, they’re greeted by a walleye statue that proudly celebrates the area’s rich fishing heritage. This statue stands as a tribute to Lake Kabetogama’s reputation as one of Minnesota’s top destinations for walleye fishing. The stairs make it easy to snap a picture of a family member riding it!
The Ellsworth Rock Gardens, known as the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama” since the 1940s, were created by Jack Ellsworth, a self-taught artist and carpenter from Chicago!
The Ellsworth Rock Gardens stand as a testament to human creativity harmoniously blended with nature. Often referred to as the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama,” this distinctive site was meticulously crafted by Jack Ellsworth, a self-taught artist and carpenter from Chicago, over two decades starting in the 1940s.
Between 1944 and 1965, Jack Ellsworth transformed a 60-foot granite outcrop into an intricate garden featuring 62 terraced flower beds and over 200 abstract rock sculptures. Utilizing native stones and concrete, Ellsworth’s creations range from... Read more
Kabetogama Community Park offers a playground and picnic area!
Kabetogama Community Park offers a playground and picnic area!
The Blue Ox Trail spans 74 miles, tracing the path of an unused railway line and offering a smooth, straightforward ride!
The Blue Ox Trail spans 74 miles, tracing the path of an unused railway line and offering a smooth, straightforward ride. The landscapes of black spruce, swamps, and aspen uplands offer a beautiful experience in every season, and the trail is a haven for wildlife watchers, with chances to spot beavers, eagles, moose, wolves, and bobcats along the way. The trail is a gift from Koochiching County and is cared for by the Northome Ridge Riders.
From International Falls, the trail follows the old rail grade south along the Highway 71 corridor, passing through Littlefork, Big Falls, and Funkley before... Read more
This 190-acre Wildlife Management Area (WMA) borders the Big Fork River and mainly consists of diverse forest types!
The Loretta (Schaedler) Waldbillig Memorial State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was established to honor local conservationist Loretta Schaedler Waldbillig. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this WMA serves as a sanctuary for native wildlife while offering recreational opportunities for the community.
The Waldbillig Memorial WMA spans over 197 acres and is known for its diverse mix of habitats, including wetlands and forested areas. This variety creates a thriving ecosystem, attracting a wide range of animals. The area is especially popular with birdwatchers... Read more
Enjoy stunning views around the International Falls/Ranier area on a paved bike path!
Suitable for biking, jogging, walking.
Paved surface with enough room for riding bikes side by side.
Starts by the IFalls Chamber of Commerce in International Falls and ends across from Ranier Park in Ranier.
Pets are allowed with leash.
Passes by the Voyagers National Park Headquarters building and the Pat Roche Landing.
Along the way you will find Kiosks with information about notable buildings from our past and the early days of International Falls and Ranier.
Koochiching County is responsible for maintaining the bike path.
8th Street Park offers a playground, a picnic area, and ice rink in the winter!
Warming house opens up in the winter, along with outdoor ice rink.
The ice rink acts as a dog park in the warmer months.
Kerry Park offers a playground, sports courts, softball/baseball fields, outdoor/indoor ice rinks, a skate park, and more!
Kerry Park offers many outdoor activities for all ages and an indoor skating arena!
