ChisagoChisago LakesLakes WaterWater TrailTrail WelcomeWelcome toto thethe ChisagoChisago LakesLakes WaterWater TrailTrail History of the Lakes Lakes on the Water Trail The water trail can also be accessed through local For Your Safety Camping & Lodging Minnesota DNR boat ramps, city and county parks, Chisago Lakes: Ten lakes spanning ten miles The water trail extends 10 miles, through 5,000 city beaches, lakeshore restaurants, and motels. The Chisago Lakes Water Trail was created to be Please take breaks and camp only in with over 5,000 acres of water, pristine shorelines, acres, over 10 lakes connected by small channels The trail is well marked with lake, portage, and shared by local residents and visitors to this designated public areas. Public restroom islands, and peninsulas. What Swedish or short portages. campsite signage. suburban area. While on the trail, watch for boats facilities are available at the area parks. settlers discovered in the 1850s still exists in summer (and snowmobiles in winter). Paddlers Camping is permitted at designated sites today for the enjoyment of both local residents Trip ideas and loops are identified on the individual need to be prepared mentally and physically to only. and weekend visitors. lake maps and the Chisago Lakes Water Trail deal with unexpected weather conditions, and The following options are available: website: www.chisagolakeswatertrail.com should possess the paddling skills necessary to Originally called “Kichisaga” by the Ojibway assure their own safety and that of others. Lake Ojiketa Regional Park - Chisago City people, the “fair and lovely waters” of The Chisago Lakes area is only 35 minutes north- winds – especially on the larger lakes – can pick up Campsites and cabins for rent, 651-257- this area were one large lake, which the Swedish east of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. From the unexpectedly and create large waves, the power of 4162. [email protected] settlers called Big Lake, then Swede Lake, south, follow I-35 north to Forest Lake and exit on which should not be underestimated. Always Allemansrätt Park’s Anderson Peninsula - and finally Chisago Lake. In the mid-19th Highway 8 to Chisago Lakes. From the north, follow monitor local weather conditions before setting Lindström century the lakes were used for water, food, ice, I-35 south to the Stacy exit and head east, left, on out on the water. The following rules and guide- Primitive sites accessible from the lake only. transportation, freight, and of course, recreation. CSAH 19 (Stacy Trail) to the Chisago Lakes area. lines will keep everyone safe on the water trail. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. MAP & GUIDE The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s Self-registration fee charged at the campsite: gave rise to lakeside resorts where guests The Chisago Lakes Water Trail offers two trailheads, The “fair and lovely” Chisago Lakes area makes a Always wear an appropriately sized and fitted 651-257-0620, or email: enjoyed fishing, sailing, and boating; passenger one on the east end of the lake system, and the spectacular year-round getaway on the northeast U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation ContactUs@CityofLindström.us steamers even carried guests on recreational other on the west. The east trailhead is located at side of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. device. Whispering Bay Resort - Center City cruises across the lakes. Kichisaga Park on South Center Lake, south of 612-860-3234 Lindstrom. From Lindström, go south on CSAH 25 Future Connections Be familiar with dangers of hypothermia and www.whisperingbayresort.com The Chisago Lakes area welcomed a variety of (Olinda Trail) to Glader Blvd., then go east to Pioneer Lake, a small 77-acre lake accessible by a dress appropriately for possible cold water and events over the next several decades, beginning Kichisaga Park. The west trailhead is at the Green very short portage through the Chisago County weather. GrandStay Hotel & Suites - Chisago City with an ice carnival in the early 1930s, Lake DNR boat landing in Chisago City. From Government Center property. This lake offers 651-213-3400 Chisago Lakes Area 95 hosted by local residents Arne and Bernie Highway 8 west of Chisago City, take CSAH 23 access to the historic Chisago Lake Lutheran Seek instruction and practice kayak, canoe, and www.grandstayhospitality.com Center Swanson. That led to speed and figure skating (Green Lake Trail) to Green Lake. Church. There is no public access to this lake. paddle board skills, including rescues, before Lindström City Taylors Rodeway Inn - Chisago City Falls contests, and the largest event of all in 1935: paddling on the Chisago Lakes. Chisago City 651-257-8088 The Minnesota State Skating Championships, School Lake, 106 acres, currently has no access Directions & Access to Trail 8 during which Lindström greeted about 1200 from Lake Martha, but the lake is accessible from Always let someone know where you are going Lakeview Motel - Lindström visitors. When the railroad was closed in 1948, South Center Lake, 1,003 acres and the deepest Chisago City’s Rotary Park. 651-257-6291 10 and when you are expected to return. 65 M lake in the chain at a maximum of 109 ft. and an 35 iles St. Croix River the channels connecting the bigger bodies of average depth of 16 ft., has a navigable connection Välkommen Inn - Lindström 35 water were filled in to make way for the highway, Lake Mattson, 24 acres, connected to School Lake. Know the skill level of other paddlers in your 61 with North Center Lake. 651-257-4888 or 612-810-3070 10 Blaine and the resulting five separate water group. Discuss safety issues before leaving shore. www.valkommeninn.com 35W basins were named for the towns they abutted: Kroon Lake, a 181-acre lake, currently not 20 Mi 95 North Center Lake, 868 acres with a maximum 35E les North Center Lake and South Center Lake for accessible by water trail. Pay attention to motorized boat traffic (and Go Boat Motel - Center City depth of 46 ft., and an average depth of 10 ft. 94 Shoreview Center City; North Lindström Lake and South winter snowmobile traffic) while on the lakes. 651-213-6119 www.goboatmotel.com 694 Stillwater Downtown Center City is accessible from the city’s 94 694 36 Lindström Lake for Lindström; and Chisago Wallmark Lake, 150 acres averaging 9 ft. deep, and Lake for Chisago City. lakeshore property on the south end of the lake. Summit Inn Bed & Breakfast -Center City Minneapolis 30 boasts two explorable half-acre islands. Currently To prevent a collision, there must be a bright Mil Hudson 651-257-4987 www.summitinnbb.com 394 es no public access on this lake. white light on board each kayak, canoe, or paddle 94 Bull Lake, 11 acres with a depth of 30 ft. or more. 494 St. Paul board after sunset. Carry a light, especially if using 35W 35 Sits within the City of Lindström’s Allemansrätt Park. 494 the lakes after dark in winter. It is accessible by portage from North Center and Year-Around Activities Bloomington North Lindström Lakes. The water trail Return Trip Options 35E 10 Learn how to use maps and a compass for 4 provides opportu- 0 M navigation before setting out on the lake. The Chisago Lakes Water Trail is unique in iles North Lindström Lake, 225 acres with a maximum nities to canoe, 10 Minnesota outside of the Boundary Waters depth of 29 ft., and an average depth of 16 ft. A kayak, and paddle Hastings Anticipate changes in weather, wind, waves Canoe Area Wilderness. Because the trail is on 35 52 bridge-covered channel large enough for a board in summer, and snow by monitoring a weather or marine VHF lakes, not a river, it is possible to loop back to pontoon to travel through connects North Lind- and to experience radio, staying aware, and using common sense. any starting point. If you choose to canoe the ström with South Lindström Lake. the best of winter. length of the trail, there are several options to Summer activities Today, these towns are vibrant communities The trail map is not adequate for sole use as a get back to your launch point: South Lindström Lake, 450 acres and 34 ft. average nestled among the lakes. The efforts to include swimming, fishing, bird watching, hiking navigational aid. USGS topographic maps and ChisagoChisago LakesLakes WaterWater TrailTrail depth. South Lindström has access to Lindström’s the local trails or wilderness parks. The lakes are re-connect the lakes have been ongoing for NOAA charts of the Chisago Lakes Area can be Leave a car or bike at either end of the trail. downtown from the Lindström Beach. nearly 80 years. In the mid-1940s, the channel prime winter ice fishing and snowmobiling venues. obtained from a variety of sources, including Explore 10 lakes with 100+ miles of shoreline and between North and South Lindström The water trail offers a unique route for snowshoe- kayaking or camping gear retailers. Walk/run back to the starting point; the 5,000 acres of water, pristine shorelines, islands, was dredged and a navigable culvert Lake Martha, 21 acres and accessible by portage ing, cross-country skiing, or fat-tire biking, or a trail’s two ends are less than 5 miles apart. from Green and Chisago Lakes; the portage and peninsulas. installed, but that culvert didn’t remain passable. winter picnic at one of the adjacent parks. All watercraft (including non-motorized canoes requires crossing Hwy. 8 at the Old Towne Road It wasn’t until 2005 that another channel was and kayaks longer than 9 ft.) must be registered in signalized intersection.