Twin Lakes Canoe Route
This is a pleasant wilderness-like canoe trip with three short portages and one longer portage. The long portage between Pine Lake and West Twin Lake is located on an old railroad bed which crosses private land. Please respect the landholder and stay on the trail and do not camp or drive vehicles along this trail. This trip offers great fishing opportunities for walleye, lake trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. You may also be able to view wildlife including moose, bear, eagle, and beaver.
There are five backcountry campsites along the way.
North Entrance:
East and West Twin Lakes boat landing is 26 miles northwest of Grand Marais.
- 27 FR 1365 From MN 61 in Grand Marais, take the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) north for 16.5 miles.
- Turn left (west) on Forest Road 325 and travel 6 miles.
- Turn left (south) on FR 152 and go 4 miles to the boat landing.
South Entrance:
There is also a canoe landing on Pine Lake. It can be accessed from County 27 from the south.
- From MN 61, take the Gunflint Trail north for 3 miles.
- Turn left on County 8 and travel along the north edge of Devil Track Lake to County 27.
- Follow 27 an additional 4 miles to FR 1365.
- The canoe access is 1.5 miles up this minimal maintenance road.
Portages
- Pine Lake to Kemo Lake - 75 rods
- Kemo Lake to Talus Lake - 30 rods
- Talus Lake to West Twin Lake - 70 rods
- West Twin Lake to East Twin Lake - <10 rods
- Between East and West Twin Lake to Pine Lake - 221 rods
Kemo Lake is a 189-acre lake with 3 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 65 feet. It is the largest lake on the Twin Lakes Canoe Route.
West Twin Lake is a 120 acre lake with 2 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 18 feet.
Portages
East Twin Lake is a small lake that is part of the Twin Lakes Canoe Route.
Portages
Pine Lake, in Cook County, is a 98 acre lake with 3 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 34 feet.