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Plan Ahead: Lake Vermilion’s Moccasin Point Boat Launch Closing This Summer for Major Upgrades

▸ This article was created with AI assistance

AI Model: Claude Opus 4 by Anthropic

Sources:

View on Minnesota DNR →

AI-generated content may contain errors. Community members are encouraged to verify important details independently.

Report an Error · info@ifalls.news

Northern Minnesota anglers and boaters who use Lake Vermilion should start planning ahead: the Moccasin Point Public Water Access will be closed to general public use beginning June 2026, with a reopening expected in late summer or fall of 2026.

The closure is part of a major redevelopment project funded through the state’s Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative. The Minnesota DNR says the project is one of the most significant investments in long-term infrastructure at one of Lake Vermilion’s busiest access points.

What’s being built

When the upgraded site reopens, boaters will find a significantly improved facility:

  • 81 vehicle/trailer and 18 single-vehicle parking spaces, including accessible stalls
  • New boat ramps, boarding docks, and short-term mooring docks
  • Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection and cleaning stations
  • Stormwater management and shoreline stabilization features
  • A heavy-duty barge loading ramp for transporting equipment and materials to islands used for recreation and residential purposes

Where things stand right now

Rock excavation got underway in December 2025, and the site is currently open to the public. Moccasin Point will remain accessible through May 2026 before construction ramps up and the closure begins in June.

During the closure, general public access and parking will not be available. Limited launch access will still be maintained for barge operations and Moccasin Point Marine when feasible.

Alternatives for summer 2026

The DNR is encouraging boaters to plan ahead now. There are 17 public water accesses available across Lake Vermilion, and overnight parking is permitted at all 11 DNR-managed sites on the lake.

The nearest alternative is Blackduck Bay PWA, located 1.4 miles west of Moccasin Point. The DNR is also coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service to keep the Trout Lake Portage accessible via the Blackduck Bay and Rice Bay PWA sites.

Boaters looking at private options — marinas or resorts — are advised to call ahead before making plans.

Updates on project progress will be posted to the DNR’s project page as construction continues.

View on MN DNR Website →

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