The northern shore of Crane Lake forms the southern boundary of Voyageurs National Park. It is located south of Sand Point Lake and Namakan Lake in the southeast corner of the park. Crane Lake is also on the western edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Photo credit: Fighting Irish 1977
There is a small community here at Crane Lake about 27 miles northeast of Orr, Minnesota. There are resorts / lodges, motels, houseboat rentals and fishing on Crane Lake. There is also a RV park and a seaplane base.
The Crane Lake Ranger Station is also located here. The national park is not accessible by road from Crane Lake.
The lake is known for its walleye, sauger and northern pike. It is connected to the other lakes in the park via the King Williams Narrows.
There are several hiking trails in the area, including the 3 mile long Vermillion Gorge Trail. The end of the trail permits area visitors to see the Vermillion River complete its 38 mile journey from Lake Vermillion and enter Crane Lake.
It is just over an hour to drive between Crane Lake and the Ash River Visitor Center, and nearly two hours from Crane Lake to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Voyageur Statue
There is a 15 foot tall voyageur at a roadside pullover outside Crane Lake. The Voyageur statue reads: This memorial was erected by the Crane Lake Commercial Club to commemorate the French Canadian Voyageurs who explored and opened this country beginning in the late 1800’s. Thousands of these dauntless men rowed their birch bark canoes through these waterways in the quest of furs and the northwest passage. One of their forts was at the mouth of the Vermillion River in Crane Lake. The gay garb of these happy men is typified by our memorial as he stands here proudly surveying the lands and waterways he once roamed. Home of the Voyaguer.
Crane Lake annually celebrates the rich history of the area and the community with Voyageur Days in July. Their facebook page calls it “A fun weekend of family friendly activities to showcase Crane Lake and its colorful history.”
Voyagaire Lodge
This lodge on Crane Lake in Northern Minnesota offers lodging and houseboat rentals. Each room has two or three queen size beds and a private bath. Some rooms have a complete kitchen and others have a private deck.