This is one that I've looked at doing with my scouts but determined it is just too far for us. What I did research, though, sounds like a lot of fun. If you haven't yet, check out the MN DNR's site about the Cloquet River. There is a map you can download and/or order. The river has a lot of class I and II rapids, which would make it fun to do. The campsites are first-come, first-serve. As far as I know, there are no fees for most of the campsites. (The DNR's map will say if there are fees.)

The DNR has a good interactive map for the water trails, including the Cloquet River. I will be adding the MN water trails to this site soon, but I probably won't have as much detail as the DNR does.

Edited by user Sunday, February 22, 2015 10:57:33 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Tomorrow our scout troop will be right across the street at the Horace Johnson cabin on Island Lake! If you see a bunch of scouts floundering around in canoes, that's us 

With the nice weather, it will be a bit busy tomorrow, but hopefully you can find a place to stay. One thing in your favor is that we have not reached the fishing opener yet - and it is opener in Wisconsin, so people will probably be going there.

Our scout troop has stayed at the Buzz Ryan campsites several times. While there were several groups there, I believe there was at least one open campsite every time. I have not stayed at any of the other campsites on Boulder.

Last year my family stayed at one of the paddle-in campsites on Island Lake. It was a good thing that we got there early because we had a few motor boats checking on the campsite.

I have photos of many of the Island Lake sites, and I am planning on adding the Duluth area reservoirs to Paddle Planner sometime.

Blast from the past - the original thread was when I lived in North Dakota. Now I live 15 minutes from Island Lake!