Mississippi River State Water Trail – Map 3

© 2019, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MISSISSIPPI RIVER ABOUT THE WATER TRAIL CONTACTS STATE WATER TRAIL This section of the river is one of transition, from the wetlands and forests of the Chippewa National DNR INFORMATION CENTER MAP 3 - VERMILLION RIVER Forest, through the town of Grand Rapids, to the lowland hardwood forest of Aitkin County. Along the 500 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TO JACOBSON way you will pass hills that were once piles of glacial debris. The city of Grand Rapids lies at the center of (888) 646-6367 these hills. South of Grand Rapids, the river enters an ancient glacial lake bed where it twists back and [email protected] forth through the soft soil. Look for white and red pines, oaks, maples, birches and aspens that create a home for diverse wildlife. DNR REGION 2 HEADQUARTERS This portion of the Mississippi River is flat and slow moving, offering easy paddling with no major rapids. Grand Rapids, MN 55744 As you approach the town of Grand Rapids, you will need to watch for two dams about three river miles (218) 328-8980 apart. One dam controls the level of Lake Pokegama and the other provides hydropower to the Blandin SCHOOLCRAFT STATE PARK Paper Company. Both must be portaged. Make sure you know what side of the dam to portage. Deer River, MN 56636 (218) 328-8982 Changing seasons offer something new around every bend. mndnr.gov/schoolcraft

TRIP PLANNING AND SAFETY WATERCRAFT CAMPING • Plan your trip with a map before you leave. Tell someone your plans, • Camp only in designated campsites, which are often available on a including put-in and take-out times. first-come, first-served basis. State and national forests do allow • Travel with a companion or group. dispersed camping. Be sure to check regulations before your trip. MEDICAL • Most people paddle 2-3 river miles per hour. • Riverbed camping next to private property is not permitted. • River levels can affect your speed and trip safety. Check conditions at • Stay off private property. Stop only at designated sites; much of the GRAND ITASCA mndnr.gov/river_levels. shoreland is private property. CLINIC & HOSPITAL • Don’t underestimate the power of wind and waves, especially on large lakes. • Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury human waste away from 1601 Golf Course Rd. • Be cautious of obstacles in the river and avoid overhanging and dead trees. the river. Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 326-3401 • Bring clean drinking water and a waterproof container with a first aid kit, • Follow the rules for firewood. State forests allow you to gather dead wood MAP AREA OVERVIEW 4372 Big Fork River waterproof matches and extra clothes. for a fire, but state parks do not. Lower Red Lake IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 911 • Wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. 431 0/71 • Purchase a license for your non-motorized watercraft if it’s more than 10 feet in 4389 436 length. If you’re not from Minnesota, check your state’s watercraft license laws. 4346 Bowstring Lake Lake Lake 65 Bagley Bemidji Winnibigoshish 43 Cass Bemidji Lake 4392 4338 0/2 Lake RECOMMENDED DAY TRIP EXPLORE ON SHORE PPROROTECTTECT THE RIVER Itasca Grand Rapids Your experience on the river depends on a healthy More Information 43113 Leech Steamboat Access to Blackberry Bridge Schoolcraft State Park Lake Walker Access environment. As you explore the beauty of this 43200 mndnr.gov/watertrails Park MAP 3 River mile 1,199.5 waterway, also do your best to protect it. Rapids 4334 4384 • Put-in location: River mile1,178.9 The Vermillion River joins the Mississippi River here. • River level reporting 4387 River 169 • Take-out location: River mile1,170.9 Protect Your Waters 0/ Camping (fee required), public access and drinking • River conditions reporting 436 • Length: 8 river miles Before launching...before leaving Pine River water (no showers) are available at the park. Pull • Interactive water trail map Crow 4364 • Clean off aquatic plants and animals. 0/71 Mississippi Paddle past farmland and wooded river banks. into the boat landing to hike a trail and explore. The • Recommended routes 371 Wing 43 • Drain all water away from the landing. • River rapids definitions Just downstream of the Prairie River, watch for park is named for Henry Rowe Schoolcraft who 0/10 Aitkin Wadena • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. • Virtual tours River 0/169 swallows nesting in the sandy banks. This trip charted the headwaters of the Mississippi River Brainerd mndnr.gov/invasives/aquatic 4365 offers easy paddling with no significant rapids. with Anishinabe guide Ozawindib. Search for outfitters at Mille exploreminnesota.com Lacs You will find small sections of riffles when the mndnr.gov/schoolcraft Lake 4318 4325 Buffer Protection

River water is low. Stop for a great picnic spot at MAP 3 The Minnesota buffer law establishes new 4327 Long Little Sucher’s Campsite if it is unoccupied. DuluthDuluth vegetation buffers along rivers, streams and ditches This document is available in Prairie Falls 4347 Snake St. CloudSt. Cloud alternative formats to individuals Mora to help filter out chemicals and sediment before St. PaulSt. Paul Rum River with disabilities by contacting Minneapolis 0/10 they reach waterways. Milaca 4323 [email protected], mndnr.gov/buffers 651-296-6157, or MN Relay 711.