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Day Tripping is a new series where we head out from International Falls and explore what’s within driving distance. No itineraries, no five-star ratings — just a few hours on the road to see what’s out there. This first trip stayed close to home: three stops, all within 20 miles of town.
The first stop was the Rainy Lake Visitor Center day use area, about 11 miles east of International Falls on the Oberholtzer Hiking Trail road.
In mid-April, the lake is still locked in ice. The boat dock sits frozen in place, slips empty, waiting for the thaw that’s still weeks away. On an overcast afternoon, the view across the ice toward the Kabetogama Peninsula is flat and gray — the kind of quiet that only a frozen lake in spring can produce.
The shoreline was showing the first signs of the season turning. Patches of brown grass pushed through melting snow along the water’s edge, and the ice nearest the shore had gone soft and candled.
A deer stood on the rocky point near the dock, completely unbothered. It watched for a minute, then went back to browsing the brush along the shore. No other visitors were around.
Coordinates: 48.5827, -93.1608 — about 11 miles east of International Falls.
The second stop was a DNR hunter hiking trail off State Highway 217, about four miles west of Ray. A metal gate blocks vehicle access at the trailhead — standard for these types of trails, which are designed for foot traffic only.
The trail sign at the entrance shows two planned routes. Plan 2 is 0.86 miles and winds through a mix of birch and spruce. Blue blazes mark the path, which was easy to follow even with patchy snow still covering sections of the trail.
The trail passes through typical Koochiching County forest — young birch and aspen mixed with stands of black spruce. In April, the deciduous trees are still bare, and the spruce stands dark against the gray sky. Snow lingered on the shadowed sections of the trail but the ground was mostly thawed and soft underfoot.
Near the end of the loop, the trail opens to a small wetland. A wooden sign marks it, and the ice on the pond was going dark — another sign of the slow spring thaw working its way through the landscape.
Coordinates: 48.4199, -93.2834 — about 14 miles southeast of International Falls, off Highway 217.
The last stop was Ivan Crawford Landing on the Big Fork River, about 18 miles west of International Falls on County Road 10.
The landing sits near the bottom of the Big Fork River, close to where it meets the Rainy River. A concrete boat ramp provides access, and there’s a small picnic area with tables and a grill set back from the water under a canopy of mature hardwoods.
The river was still partially frozen on April 13. Open water ran along the banks where the current keeps the ice from holding, but the center of the channel was covered in gray, deteriorating ice. A highway bridge crosses just upstream, and the sound of the river moving under the ice was audible from the picnic area.
In a few weeks, this spot will be busy with anglers launching for walleye and sturgeon on the Big Fork and Rainy Rivers. On this afternoon, it was empty and still.
Coordinates: 48.4553, -93.7198 — about 18 miles west of International Falls, on County Road 10.
Total driving distance for all three stops was 91 miles round trip from International Falls. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is a quick drive east on Highway 11, then north. The trail is south on Highway 71 and east on 217. Ivan Crawford Landing is west on Highway 11 and south on County Road 10.
All three stops are on paved or well-maintained gravel roads. No special vehicle or gear needed — just boots that can handle mud and wet ground.
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.
Ivan Crawford Landing offers public water access to the Big Fork River!
Ivan Crawford Landing offer public water access to the Big Fork River!
Rules for this place
The border waters section of the Minnesota fishing regulations covers only the lower reach of the Big Fork River, and the water above that point is not in it. Minnesota’s invasive species law rides home with the trailer: pull the drain plug, drain the water, and leave plants and prohibited species at the access. Part of the Big Fork River is on the DNR’s infested waters list... Read more
The Big Fork River flows north through east-central Koochiching County past Big Falls, offering quiet paddling and fishing at several public landings.
The Big Fork River is one of the quieter pleasures of Koochiching County. Flowing northward through the east-central part of the county, it carries paddlers and anglers through a stretch of rural north-woods country on its long journey toward the Rainy River system.
Along the way the river passes the small community of Big Falls, home to about... Read more
Voyageurs National Park is renowned for its pristine lakes, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife!
Voyagers National Park (VNP) is a stunning natural reserve located in northern Minnesota. This park is renowned for its pristine lakes, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife, and offers visitors a unique and immersive experience in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a recreational adventurer, or simply seeking to enjoy the scenery, VNP is a destination worth exploring.
Established in 1975, Voyagers National Park spans over 218,000 acres and encompasses four major lakes: Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, and Sand Point Lake. These interconnected lakes form a vast water-based wilderness area that attracts boating, fishing, and kayaking enthusiasts... Read more
