Astrid Lake Area

The Astrid Lake Area has 7 miles of hiking trail, 6 backcountry campsites and a canoe route with 4 interconnected lakes, including Astrid Lake, Maude Lake, Pauline Lake and Nigh Lake. The area provides an opportunity to experience wilderness-style camping without wilderness permits and regulations.

Downloadabe map and information - Astrid Lake Hiking Trail

Downloadable map and information - Hunting Shack River Canoe Route

At a Glance

Closest Towns:	Orr, MN
Water:	Boil or filter water
Restroom:	Wilderness-style latrines at backcountry campsites
Operated By:	USDA Forest Service
Information Center:	LaCroix Ranger District Email \| Call \| Address \| Webpage

General Information

Parking:

Hiking

Forest Road 200, between Maude and Astrid Lakes, right-hand side of road.
First parking lot on the right-hand side of the Lake Jeanette Campground entrance road, hiking trail on left side of road.

Canoeing

Forest Road 200, between Maude and Astrid Lakes, right-hand side of road.
Echo Trail about ½ mile east of 200 Road, right-hand side of road.
Echo Trail about 1 mile east of Hunting Shack River, right-hand side of road.

Directions:

Astrid Lake Area is about 29 miles northeast of Orr, MN.

From Orr, take S. Louis County 23 to Buyck (16 miles).
At Buyck, County 23 turns into County 24, continue for 4 miles to the Echo Trail (County 116).
Turn right on the Echo Trail for 9 miles, continue to parking (see above).

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Dispersed Camping

There are 6 backcountry campsites total in the area: 2 sites on Maude Lake, 2 on Astrid Lake, 1 on Pauline Lake and 1 on Nigh Lake.

Please use facilities provided such as fire rings, tent pads, and latrines. Pack out garbage. Maximum 9 people per campsite.

Fees:	None required.
Reservation info:	First-come, first-served.

Lake and Pond Fishing

Permit:	See current Minnesota Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations.

Day Hiking

The Astrid Lake Hiking Trail follows gentle terrain with a few steep, rocky sections and some wet areas. Between Lake Jeanette and Nigh Lake pitcher plants abound. On the loop between Nigh and Astrid Lakes there are several areas with huge boulders that were depositedby the glaciers as they receded 10,000 years ago. These glacial erratics are scattered along with scenic vistas on this stretch of ledge rock. Watch for rock cairns marking the trail here.

Backpacking

Boating - Motorized

ATV’s are allowed on the portages to Astrid Lake and Maude Lake, but not beyond the portages to the lake.

Boating - Non-Motorized

Portages

From Forest Road 200, between Maude and Astrid Lakes:

80-rod portage into Astrid Lake
120-rod portage into Maude Lake

From Echo Trail about ½ mile east of 200 Road:

15-minute paddle to Pauline Lake or 30-minute paddle to Astrid Lake (no portages)
From Pauline, 20-rod portage into Nigh Lake
From Astrid, 200-rod portage across Forest Road 200 to Maude Lake

Echo Trail about 1 mile east of Hunting Shack River: