Canoeing/Tubing

Paddlers can choose their own path in the Park Rapids Lakes Area. Longer trips can take you along the infant Mississippi or friendlier Crow Wing Chain of Lakes and River. Or put in on any lake or stream and explore our waterways. Organized trips are planned on Lake Itasca at Itasca State Park and a local canoe club. For more information on the Headwaters Canoe Club's ventures see: http://www.canoe-kayak.org/pages/hwaters.html

The Mississippi Headwaters River Trail is 420 miles in length and meanders through the most scenic and remote of the Mississippi River's 2,552 miles. Depending on water levels, a trip can start at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park or at Gulsvig Landing on state Hwy 200. The first 40 miles of the river meander entirely within the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest. This infant Mississippi is not an easy river to traverse; planning is recommended for a safe trip. In this remote part of the river, there are some lengthy stretches of rocky riffles that can challenge any paddler in high water and create obstacles when in low water - and three large wetlands where even the most experienced wilderness traveler can find him or herself lost. The river alternates between these straight, fast segments of river within boreal forests of pine and fir and vast open marshlands of bog, fen, cane grass, cattails and wild rice where the channel can completely disappear. Approaching Bemidji, the river's banks become more defined and farms and homes become visible. The coniferous and deciduous forests are home to 242 kinds of birds, 23 species of reptiles and amphibians and 57 species of mammals. For more information, see http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/mississippiriver/one.html.

Crow Wing River canoeing/tubing

The Crow Wing River starts at 11th Crow Wing Lake and meanders 90 miles to the Mississippi River. Because of its many campsites and undeveloped shores, the river is one of the state's best "wilderness" routes for family canoeists. Clear waters are rarely interrupted by rapids and although the river is seldom more than three feet deep, it is nearly always deep enough for canoeing. Dense forests flank much of the river. For its first 20 miles the river cuts through low marshy lands. The river broadens and the banks increase in height as it flows southward through the Huntersville State Forest. There are 12 public campsites located at convenient intervals along this section of the river. All are scenic and wooded with plenty of room for hiking, bird watching and exploring. Each has fresh water, toilet facilities, picnic tables and fireplaces. Tubing is a popular activity on this part of the river and a canoeing/tubing outfitter is located at Huntersville. For more information, see http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/crowwingriver/index.html and http://www.huntersvillecanoeoutfitters.com and http://www.mntrails.com/main.asp?SectionID=50&SubSectionID=133&TM=60047.71