Cook and US Highway 53 - Duluth to International Falls
Welcome to the LaCroix Ranger District. The landscape in this area is covered with dense forest and spotted with numerous lakes. The district office and visitor center is located in the town of Cook on US Hwy 53 midway between Duluth and International Falls.
Destination highlights include the Vermilion River and its falls and gorge, the Echo Trail, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Also nearby is scenic Lake Vermilion.
Spend a weekend or a week paddling the Astrid Lake and Hunting Shack River Route.
Recreational activities include boating, fishing, camping, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more.
Passes & Permits
Snowmobile Trails
- A snowmobile state trail pass and registration is required to ride on trails within the state of Minnesota.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- A permit is always required to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Fishing
- All fishing requires a State of Minnesota Fishing License.
Hunting
- Make sure you have the appropriate State of Minnesota Hunting License when hunting on National Forest System lands.
Watercraft/Boating
- Nonmotoried watercraft over 10 feet long and motorized watercraft need to be registered in Minnesota. Visit the state website for more information. Out of state watercraft do not need to register.
Recreation Sites
Astrid Lake Area
Site Open
Astrid Lake is a medium sized, 120 acre lake with 1.93 miles of shoreline. It is a popular lake for anglers and home to a variety of fish species.The Astrid Lake Area has 7 miles of hiking trail, 6…
Big Moose Trail
The Big Moose Trail is 2 ½ miles one way. From the parking lot, the trail follows an old roadbed for about ½ mile, then turns right and traverses a forest of jack pine and aspen for most of its…
Crane Lake
Site Open
Crane Lake is a large body of water and is a popular area for fishing and boating. There are 3 backcountry campsites located on the lake. Crane Lake also connects to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area…
Echo Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Site Open
Echo Lake is located on the west end of the Echo Trail, a remote country road that traverses through the heart of the Western Superior National Forest. This quiet campground, where the sounds of…
Franklin Lake
Site Open
Franklin Lake is a large, 156 acre lake with 2.5 miles of shoreline. There is a short portage that is open to ATVs.
Herriman Lake Trail
The Herriman Lake Trail is 13 miles with loops. More than half of the trail is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Dovre Lake loop passes through mature red and white pines among rock…
Johnson Lake (LaCroix)
Site Open
Johnson Lake is popular for fishing and is connected to Johnson River and Little Johnson Lake. Fishing is considered good for small mouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. The ½ mile portage on the…
Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites
Site Open
Jeanette Lake Campground is a small, single-loop campground on a peninsula reaching out onto the glacier-carved Lake Jeanette in Superior National Forest. Originally built by the Civilian…
Lake Vermilion
Site Open
Lake Vermilion is 40,000 acres, 76 feet at its deepest point, and has 365 islands. It has the most shoreline of any lake in Minnesota and is known for its walleye and muskie fishing. There…
Meander Lake
Site Open
Meander Lake is a remote, 98-acre, 25 foot deep clear lake with 2 backcountry campsites. The picnic area and barrier-free fishing pier are located on the southern shore of the lake.