Upper St. Louis River (Scanlon, Minnesota)

If you get a chance to visit Duluth, Minnesota during the spring, summer or fall months make sure to experience the rafting & kayaking on the St.Louis River.

Upper Section Class I-III Rapids

The Upper section can be accessed from the River Inn at 3212 River Gate Ave in Scanlon, MN.  Trips can run up to a little over 4 miles if you decide to get out just above Thompson Dam.  The route begins with a relaxing paddle or float that winds underneath the I-35 bridge.  Tubers will then encounter their first set of rapids that are Class I-II. The next set of rapids called the "First Hole" are rated Class I-II.  

Continue on past the "First Hole" rafters will hit the more challenging "Two Hole" and "Boat Smear Canyon".  The biggest challenge of this trip is a river-wide Class III rapids called the "Electric Ledge."  This particular contains an exciting four to six foot drop.  Those that choose to run the upper section will then need to paddle or float across the Thompson Reservoir where they will be able to leave the river ahead of the Thompson Dam.     

Lower Section Class III-V Rapids

The video below shows a group of kayakers running the section below the Thompson Dam.  The route runs through Jay Cooke State Park along Hwy 210.  It is located just south of Duluth, near the town of Carlton, MN.

This section is filled with numerous drops and class III-V rapids.  This section should only be attempted by expert kayakers.  Late in the season low waters do permit rafting!

If you decide to attempt a Class III-V rapids then make sure you have the proper equipment.   You will need to make sure that the kayak is rated for this type of water.  Standard kayaks will be harder to maneuver in this type of water.  This Wave Sport Fuse 35 Kayak will be exactly what you need to traverse these rapids.