Crane Lake and the Surrounding Area

Crane Lake is the gateway to Voyageurs National Park and Boundary Waters Canoe area, which boast many unique areas and lakes to explore. Don’t miss the west end of Crane Lake where the Vermillion River crashes through granite outcropping as it drops to Crane Lake.  You can also enjoy Indigenous ancient rock paintings and more on the surrounding interconnected lakes.

On shore there are two public launching sites, located on Handberg Road. At the end of Handberg road is Handberg Marina. They offer fishing and pontoon boats to rent, along with paddle boards. They also have live fish bait, ice cream, and limited grocery supplies.

There are several places to dine or have a cold drink from bar food to fine dining. The Voyageurs Park service is building a visitor center on shore that will be open sometime in 2024. They will have lots of info about the park and the history of all the interconnected lakes in the park.

There is a golf course on your way to Crane Lake, about 5 miles from the lake. The course is open to public and has a bar and restaurant on site.

About 2 miles by road from Crane Lake is a spectacular set of several waterfalls on Vermillion River as it tumbles to Crane Lake. There is a park there to enjoy a picnic lunch as you watch and hear the crashing of the tumbling water.