Creating the border of Minnesota and Ontario, the Pigeon River meanders and cascades approximately 50 miles (80 km) to Lake Superior. Once an important thoroughfare for the Voyageur fur-traders, it is now a part of several parks: on the Minnesota side, it begins on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and crosses through Grand Portage State Park, while the entire Canadian shoreline is designated as La Verendrye Waterway. The park is non-operating, so there are no visitors’ facilities, but backcountry and car-camping still enable paddlers to explore the Pigeon River.
Jump-off Points:
• Thunder Bay
• Grand Marais
• Grand Portage
Park & Permit Info
La Verendrye Provincial Park has no visitor facilities but offers fine canoe camping along its historic fur trade route. For details, contact the Ontario Provincial Parks Office in the area.
Ontario Parks: La Verendrye Provincial Park
Fire Information
You can find fire condition information on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources page or from the parks office.
Ontario Minstry of Natural Resources: Current Fire Situation
Maps & Routes
Paddlers in LaVerendrye can navigate the area with U.S. and Canadian topographical maps or with maps from W. A. Fisher Maps and Publications or McKenzie Maps.
W. A. Fisher Maps and Publications
Maptown: Topographic Maps of Ontario
Park History
La Verendrye follows the historic fur trade route between Grand Portage and the interior Northwest. If you only bring one book on this trip, make itPortage into the Past, written about J. Arnold Bolz’s trip through this area.
Ecology
The park website boasts of La Verendrye’s striking diabase-capped mesas. Its forests represent the same mix of boreal and transitional species that are trademarks of the border lakes–white and red pine, birch, aspen, and spruce.
Ontario Parks: La Verendrye Provincial Park
Fishing
Like the neighboring BWCAW and Quetico, La Verendrye has fine fishing, especially for northern and walleye pike. Anglers fishing in Canadain waters will need a valid Ontario fishing license.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Fishing
