Outfitters & Camping

Explore the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail with ease, and tag us as you adventure #SLRENWT

Whether you’re planning a quiet paddle, an overnight camping trip, or a group outing, this page gathers local resources to help you make the most of your time on the water. Find places to rent or buy gear, camp near the water, and join guided group experiences that make exploring the estuary safe, enjoyable, and memorable.

Gear Rentals
Gear Retailers
Camping & Lodging
Guided Tours
Kayak & Canoe Rack Rentals

Gear Rentals

Rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, life jackets, and more from local outfitters to explore the St. Louis River National Water Trail with ease.

**Denotes businesses that have direct on-water access to the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail.

All other businesses are self-pickup.

Duluth, Minnesota

    • Website

    • Gear Available: kayaks, stand up paddleboards

    • Phone: 218-310-8013

    • Location: Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Gear Available: canoe, stand up paddle board, kayak, wetsuits, camping gear, skis, snowshoes

    • Phone: 218-723-6165

    • Location: College of St. Scholastica Campus 1200 Kenwood Avenue Duluth, BWC, Room 104

    • Notes:

      • 1-7 day rentals

    • Website

    • Gear Available: Canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard, camping gear & cooking kits, mountain bikes

    • Phone: 218-726-6134

    • Location: University of Minnesota-Duluth 154 Sports & Health Center, Duluth

    • Notes:

      • 1-7 day rentals

      • Larger group paddles and gear transportation available for a fee

    • Website

    • Gear Available: pontoon, canoe, kayak, Choo Choo Paddle

    • Phone: 218-628-3578

    • Location: 121 Spring St, Duluth

    • Notes:

      • Direct on-water access

      • Camping also available

    • Website

    • Gear Available: tandem kayaks, stand up paddleboards

    • Phone: 218-722-6218

    • Location: 323 Harbor Drive, Duluth

Superior, Wisconsin

    • Website

    • Gear Available: pontoon, canoe, kayak

    • Phone: 218-626-3797

    • Location:
      S Mont Du Lac Rd, Superior, WI

    • Notes:

      • Direct on-water access

      • Camping available

    • Website

    • Gear Available: Stand up paddleboards

    • Phone: 218-626-3797

    • Location: Barkers Island

      14 Marina Dr, Superior, WI

    • Notes:

      • Direct on-water access

      • Gear transportation available

    • Website

    • Gear Available: canoe, kayak, stand up paddle board, camping gear

    • Phone: 715-395-4610

    • Location: University Wisconsin-Superior, Marcovich Wellness Center Room 1438, Superior, Wisconsin

    • Notes:

      • 1-7 day rentals available

Gear Retailers

From local outfitters to big-box stores, find everything you need for paddling the St. Louis River National Water Trail—kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and more. Stock up, get ready, and hit the water!

**Denotes businesses that sell canoes, kayaks, and/or SUP boards.

All other businesses carry camping gear, outdoor apparel, and/or other recreational gear.

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-481-7270

    • Location: 510 East 4th St Duluth, MN

    • Notes:

      • Consignment shop

      • Gear/zipper repair

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-722-3898

    • Location: 365 Canal Park Dr. Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-729-2792

    • Location: 2631 W. Superior St. Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-727-1472

    • Location: 1910 W. Superior Street, Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-724-8833

    • Location: 1501 London Road, Duluth, MN

    • Notes: fishing gear, paddle gear, etc.

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-343-1308

    • Location: 14 Marina Dr, Superior, WI

    • Notes: used and new paddleboard equipment (fins, straps, boards)

    • Website

    • Phone: 715-392-9838

    • Location: 1814 Belknap St, Superior, WI

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-722-6776

    • Location: 600 E Superior Street
      Duluth, MN

    • Notes: Focused mostly on trail running, but has some outdoor apparel and gear.

Locally Owned and/or Operated

Box Stores

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-481-6900

    • Location:
      4275 Haines Rd, Hermantown, MN

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-727-2078

    • Location: 1600 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Phone: 218-722-4501

    • Location: 4165 Loberg Ave., Duluth, MN

Camping

Sleep under the stars at rustic or full-service sites, some with direct St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail access for easy paddling. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a riverfront escape near Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin! And remember, please respect the river—pack out what you pack in and leave no trace for others to enjoy.

**Denotes campgrounds that have direct on-water access to the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail.

^ Denotes campgrounds that have access to the St. Louis River, but are outside of the Water Trail boundaries.

Duluth, Minnesota

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV, camper cabins

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? Yes

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Rentals Available: Canoe included with campsite reservation, by request

    • Phone: 218-591-2857

    • Location: 13404 MN-23, Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV, camper cabins

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? Yes

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Phone: 218-591-2857

    • Location: 7000 Pulaski Street, Duluth

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? Yes

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Phone: 218-626-1390

    • Location: 9902 Hudson Blvd. Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: RV

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? Yes

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Gear Rentals Available: pontoon, canoe, kayak, Choo Choo Paddle, ebikes

    • Phone: 218-628-3578

    • Location: 121 Spring St, Duluth

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? No

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Gear Rentals Available: mountain bikes

    • Phone: 218-624-8544

    • Location: 9500 Spirit Mountain Pl, Duluth, MN

    • Notes:

      • Views of the St. Louis River

      • A destination ski resort in the winter with down-hill and nordic options

      • Adventure Park including Timber Twister Alpine Coaster, zip line, jumping pillow, and more

Superior, Wisconsin

    • Website

    • Type of Sites: Free primitive free camping sites with 4 tent pads available.

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? Yes

        Water? No

        Electricity? No

        Showers? No

    • Location: Coordinates 46°42'34"N 92°09'40"W, Superior, WI

    • Notes:

      • First come, first serve.

      • On the river access

      • All watercraft welcome to access the site.

      • If walking, it is recommended to park at the Superior Municipal Forest Disk Golf Lot (off of 42nd St.). This is about a 2.5 mile walk one way and is not always mowed due to wet soil.

  • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV, camper cabins, lodging

      • SLRE National Water Trail access? Yes

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Rentals Available: pontoon, canoe, kayak

    • Phone: 218-626-3797

    • Location: S Mont du Lac Rd, Superior, WI

Neighboring Communities

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: RV sites, group camp, backpack sites, accessible sites, camper cabins, tent sites

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? No

        Water? Yes

        Electricity? Yes

        Showers? Yes

    • Phone: 218-879-5726

    • Location: 1318 Carlton Rd Cloquet, MN

    • Notes: Whitewater rafting available nearby through Swiftwater Adventures or Minnesota Whitewater Rafting

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: RV sites, group camp, backpack sites, ADA sites, camper cabins, tent sites

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? No

        Water? Yes

        Electricity? Yes

        Showers? Yes

    • Phone: 218-673-7000

    • Location: 780 Highway 210 Carlton, MN

    • Notes:

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? There is on-water access, but this is up river from Water Trail boundaries

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Phone: 218-428-7752

    • Location: 234 W Hwy 61, Esko, MN

    • Notes: Whitewater rafting available nearby through Swiftwater Adventures or Minnesota Whitewater Rafting

    • Website

    • Types of Sites: tent, RV, ADA campsites and cabins, backpack, group camping, equestrian sites, remote sites

      • SLRE National Water Trail Access? No, 20-30 minutes from Duluth/Superior.

      • Water? Yes

      • Electricity? Yes

      • Showers? Yes

    • Phone: 715-399-3111

    • Location: 6294 WI-35, Superior, WI

    • Notes: View Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall located on Black River.

Guided Tours

Explore the St. Louis River National Water Trail with kayak, canoe, SUP, or whitewater adventures—all led by experienced guides.

The St. Louis River Alliance also provides over a dozen free events per year, including water safety workshops, group paddles, and more. Check out our event calendar and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated.

    • Website

    • Available Adventures: Kayak or stand up paddleboarding via the Chambers Grove/Fond du Lac Dam River Tour or Clough Island River Tour. Harbor Tour also available.

    • Phone: 218-310-8013

    • Location: Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Available Adventures: Kayak, canoe, or voyageur canoe adventures via their St. Louis River Estuary Tours

    • Phone: 218-606-6687

    • Location: Duluth, MN

    • Website

    • Available Adventures: Whitewater rafting trips on the lower St. Louis River, can hold up to 6 people per raft lasting 2-2.5 hours. Ages 11+

    • Phone: 218-522-4446

    • Location: Cloquet, MN

    • Website

    • Available Adventures: Whitewater rafting and kayak trips on the lower St. Louis River, lasting 2-2.5 hours.

    • Phone: 218-451-3218

    • Location: Carlton, MN

Kayak & Canoe Rack Rentals

Take advantage of convenient kayak and canoe rental and storage locations in Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI, for stress-free paddling on the St. Louis River.

    • Website

    • Locations:

      • Brighton Beach

      • Chambers Grove

      • Park Point

    • Cost: $100 for residents, $175 for non-residents.

    • Notes: Starting April 1st you can purchase a slot. First come, first serve.

    • Website

    • Locations:

      • Barkers Island

      • Woodstock Bay

      • 21st St. Landing

    • Cost: $100 for residents, $200 for non-residents.

    • Notes: Superior residents may apply beginning February 1st, non-residents may apply beginning April 12th. First come, first serve.

Contact Us

If you are a local business or organization that offers gear rentals, camping/lodging, and/or guided adventures ON the St. Louis River, please email Mikayla at watertrail@stlouisriver.org

Photo: Tim Beaulier - Canoeist paddling thru Fond du Lac

The St. Louis River Alliance designed this webpage with funding support provided by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (NA24NOSX419C0020) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.