Plot A Course For Bears And Eagles On This Wild Minnesota Paddling Adventure

As remote as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is, it's no longer a place where you can be ensured of completely escaping from people for a while. But, if you're like me and enjoy the idea of solitude in nature, there's another, less remote paddling spot in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that you should know about. It's almost as wild, but not nearly as popular, as the BWCAW. And you don't need to throw your name in a hat for the permit lottery - or even need a special permit to take this Minnesota paddling adventure. All you need is a canoe or kayak and time to explore the Cloquet River State Water Trail.

The Cloquet River State Water Trail follows the eponymous river from Indian Lake near Brimson to its confluence with the St. Louis River at Brookston.

The whole water trail is relatively wild as it meanders through undeveloped forest land.

But the upper segment, from Indian Lake to Island Lake Reservoir is the more remote of the two segments - and the least trafficked.

Start your adventure - which can be a 10-mile day trip or a multi-day excursion - from Indian Lake Campground in the Cloquet Valley State Forest.

If you're only hitting the water trail for a day, this is a great spot to set up your basecamp. It offers drinking water, vault toilets, lakefront campsites, hiking trails, and a swimming beach - as well as a boat launch.

This segment of the trail is fairly narrow and can be shallow, so be sure to check the river levels before you set out.

Almost of the way, you'll be paddling through fairly remote state forest and other DNR-controlled land, so you'll encounter little development.

But you will encounter several series of rapids, ranging from class I to class III, along the way.

Portages around the class II and III rapids are available and should be used by paddlers without whitewater experience.

Several free, paddle-in campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis along the route, if you're planning a longer adventure.

Remember to be bear aware and leave no trace when camping or picnicking along this lovely Northwoods river.

The river is home to abundant walleye, northern, smallmouth bass, and brook trout.

This, of course, attracts fish eating species, such as bald eagles, to the river.

You never know who'll be watching you on your downstream journey, so keep your eyes peeled for moose and deer, as well as wolves and other species, such as pine martens.

I think this is one of the more underrated paddling trips that you'll find in the Bold North. Before setting out on this Minnesota paddling adventure, visit the Cloquet River State Water Trail web page to download maps, and visit REI to make sure you have all the camping and paddling gear you'll need for your trip.

So what do you think? Is this a paddling trip you've done or have an interest in undertaking? Let us know in the comments!