Explore beautiful state parks in the northland!
Sault Rapids is a scenic run of whitewater on the Rainy River at Franz Jevne State Park near Birchdale, with a picnic overlook, riverside trails, and views into Ontario.
Sault Rapids is a run of fast, clear water on the Rainy River inside Franz Jevne State Park, east of Birchdale off Highway 11 in Koochiching County. A picnic area on the south bank overlooks the rapids, and the park’s riverside hiking trail brings you to open views across the water to Ontario, Canada, on the far shore. Known to the Ojibwe as Ginwaajiwanaang — “the place of the long rapids” — and recorded by mapmakers as Long Sault Rapids, this reach was a landmark on the old fur-trade canoe route that followed the Rainy River toward Lake of the... Read more
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
Franz Jevne State Park is a quaint, beautiful place to surround yourself with nature!
Franz Jevne State Park, located in northern Minnesota along the Rainy River, is the state’s smallest park, encompassing about 120 acres. Despite its size, this secluded park offers a peaceful retreat with scenic views of Ontario across the river and a range of activities for nature enthusiasts.
The park’s landscape includes a mix of hardwood forests, rocky outcrops, and lush floodplains, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. Visitors might encounter animals such as black bears, moose, and bald eagles, making it a popular spot... Read more
The Vermilion River stretches 42 miles northward from Lake Vermilion to Crane Lake, meandering through the Kabetogama State Forest!
Stretching approximately 40 miles from Lake Vermilion to Crane Lake, the Vermilion River flows generally northward through the Kabetogama State Forest. Along this path, paddlers are surrounded by forests of pine, spruce, fir, aspen, and birch, with scenic stretches of exposed bedrock and bluffs. The most developed areas along the river are near Vermilion and Crane Lakes and the town of Buyck.
With limited access points and a variety of rapids, the Vermilion River is best suited to experienced paddlers. Gradual water level changes... Read more
The Little Fork State River Water Trail offers a beautiful paddling experience with wildlife spotting, bird watching and fishing!
Flowing north to join the Rainy River, the Little Fork River takes its name from its role as the smaller of the two rivers that converge at Rainy Rapids. This river, with its combination of calm stretches and intermittent rapids, offers a unique paddling experience. The Ojibwe people originally named it “the river separating canoe routes,” due to its proximity to the Nett River.
The Little Fork State River Water Trail provides paddlers with scenic views and the chance to spot... Read more
Big Fork River flows north through a landscape of pine, spruce, fir, cedar, aspen, and birch forests to Rainy River!
The Big Fork River winds north through a rich landscape of pine, spruce, fir, cedar, aspen, and birch forests until it joins the Rainy River. Along its path, the towns of Bigfork and Big Falls serve as the main developed areas, offering convenient points for river access.
Anglers will find excellent fishing opportunities along the Big Fork, with species like walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass plentiful in its waters. The river is also a haven for birdwatchers, with frequent sightings... Read more
