Kabetogama Cabin Plaid Guide Book

Bonnie
Kabetogama Cabin Plaid Guide Book

Shopping

Really good gift shop with lots of Minnesota, North Woods, cabin themed gifts. Superb jellies, sauces, and local syrups. They have a small bakery selection of goods each day and coffees! Love this place. Rumor has it you can call in by noon to pre-order a pie for the next day but sometimes fills fast so plan a couple days ahead if you can. My neighbor recommends BLUEBERRY!
Pine Ridge Gift Shop, Bakery and Coffee Shop - Seasonal May thru October
9903 Gamma Rd
Really good gift shop with lots of Minnesota, North Woods, cabin themed gifts. Superb jellies, sauces, and local syrups. They have a small bakery selection of goods each day and coffees! Love this place. Rumor has it you can call in by noon to pre-order a pie for the next day but sometimes fills fast so plan a couple days ahead if you can. My neighbor recommends BLUEBERRY!

Everything Else

BEST ICE CREAM! 16 mouth watering flavors. HUGE SCOOPS! Tackle, bait, boat/kayak/canoe/4 wheeler rentals/clothing/fishing guides. Ice cream, coffee, and Minnesota tshirts/gear. Also a very small grocery selection. Closest place to pick up firewood, ice, and grocery staples (milk, eggs, ice). Boat rentals, fishing guides.
Kab Outdoors
9634 Gamma Rd
BEST ICE CREAM! 16 mouth watering flavors. HUGE SCOOPS! Tackle, bait, boat/kayak/canoe/4 wheeler rentals/clothing/fishing guides. Ice cream, coffee, and Minnesota tshirts/gear. Also a very small grocery selection. Closest place to pick up firewood, ice, and grocery staples (milk, eggs, ice). Boat rentals, fishing guides.
This is close to the cabin. About a 10 min drive. This is where you can find all sorts of brochures and trail maps, etc on the park. This is usually the place that Fishing Guides will pick you up as well. There is a small interactive exhibit inside that is nice, and a small nature trail. Find out about the hikes you can take around the area. There are some gorgeous hiking trails, some of them you can park, and then find the trail head, and some of them are only accessed by boat. (218) 875-2111.
Lake Kabetogama Visitor Center Public Access
9940 Cedar Ln
This is close to the cabin. About a 10 min drive. This is where you can find all sorts of brochures and trail maps, etc on the park. This is usually the place that Fishing Guides will pick you up as well. There is a small interactive exhibit inside that is nice, and a small nature trail. Find out about the hikes you can take around the area. There are some gorgeous hiking trails, some of them you can park, and then find the trail head, and some of them are only accessed by boat. (218) 875-2111.
Bait, ice, ice cream, supplies, post office, fishing licenses, bait, coffee, small selection of groceries, lots of Kab/Voyageurs clothing/hats, trinkets, gifts. GAS. Liquor. Firewood, ice.
Gateway General Store
9378 US-53
Bait, ice, ice cream, supplies, post office, fishing licenses, bait, coffee, small selection of groceries, lots of Kab/Voyageurs clothing/hats, trinkets, gifts. GAS. Liquor. Firewood, ice.

Essentials

If you pass through the town of COOK on your way TO the cabin, this is the last decent grocery store you will find. There are convenience stores near the cabin, but no real grocery store. Cook is one hour from your cabin arrival. Once you are at the cabin, the closest real grocery store will be 30 minutes to the north of the cabin, in International Falls. Small town grocery store- expect higher prices than at home.
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Zup's Food Market of Cook
201 US-53
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If you pass through the town of COOK on your way TO the cabin, this is the last decent grocery store you will find. There are convenience stores near the cabin, but no real grocery store. Cook is one hour from your cabin arrival. Once you are at the cabin, the closest real grocery store will be 30 minutes to the north of the cabin, in International Falls. Small town grocery store- expect higher prices than at home.
Good grocery store in International Falls. about 30 minutes away from the cabin. Good bakery.
County Market
1907 Valley Pine Cir
Good grocery store in International Falls. about 30 minutes away from the cabin. Good bakery.
Big grocery store in International Falls. About 30 minutes away from the cabin.
Stewart's Super One
1606 3rd St
Big grocery store in International Falls. About 30 minutes away from the cabin.
Small grocery selection. Bait, tackle, ICE CREAM, liquor store, firewood, Kab/Voyageur themed clothing/hats.
Kab Outdoors
9634 Gamma Rd
Small grocery selection. Bait, tackle, ICE CREAM, liquor store, firewood, Kab/Voyageur themed clothing/hats.
Gas, ice, supplies, ice cream, bait and tackle, groceries, Kab/Voyaguer themed clothing/hats, souvenirs, and firewood. Fishing licenses and a post office all in one. That about covers it!
Gateway General Store
9378 US-53
Gas, ice, supplies, ice cream, bait and tackle, groceries, Kab/Voyaguer themed clothing/hats, souvenirs, and firewood. Fishing licenses and a post office all in one. That about covers it!

Parks & Nature

This is where the public boat ramp is located. There is also a beach and a LOVELY hiking trail (a long one and a short one, see the steps next to the boat landing for entrance). When the trail leads you out near the (clean) restrooms, if you continue through the beach, find the sign to continue the hiking path beyond the beach and up the cliff side of the lake. This trail will lead you all around the campgrounds through the woods. No flip flops. You can also walk around the campground road, which is nice too. Each of the 60 campsites (it is never ever busy) is unique. It is in walking distance and a great workout walk from the cabin (60-90 minutes round trip). From the cabin, walk the road into WoodenFrog, we used to regularly see fox in this area. Be on the lookout. Walk to the boat ramp. Follow the few steps up from the ramp area. It has gorgeous big trees, and super views of the water. Clean bathrooms here too! And a beach. ***Beach area is currently under water w/ flood conditions.*** Stop in at Arrowhead next to the boat ramp for a drink on your way home! Or on the way there. They are building a fantastic spacious new deck overlooking the water with a nice view, and usually a handful of pelicans hanging out.
Wooden Frog Campground and Day Use Area
This is where the public boat ramp is located. There is also a beach and a LOVELY hiking trail (a long one and a short one, see the steps next to the boat landing for entrance). When the trail leads you out near the (clean) restrooms, if you continue through the beach, find the sign to continue the hiking path beyond the beach and up the cliff side of the lake. This trail will lead you all around the campgrounds through the woods. No flip flops. You can also walk around the campground road, which is nice too. Each of the 60 campsites (it is never ever busy) is unique. It is in walking distance and a great workout walk from the cabin (60-90 minutes round trip). From the cabin, walk the road into WoodenFrog, we used to regularly see fox in this area. Be on the lookout. Walk to the boat ramp. Follow the few steps up from the ramp area. It has gorgeous big trees, and super views of the water. Clean bathrooms here too! And a beach. ***Beach area is currently under water w/ flood conditions.*** Stop in at Arrowhead next to the boat ramp for a drink on your way home! Or on the way there. They are building a fantastic spacious new deck overlooking the water with a nice view, and usually a handful of pelicans hanging out.
This is close to the cabin. About a 10 min drive. This is where you can find all sorts of brochures and trail maps, etc on the park. Ask a ranger for advice. This is usually the location that Fishing Guides will pick you up as well. There is a small interactive exhibit inside that is nice, and a small nature trail. A small selection of Voyageur's National Park clothing, posters, pins, etc. Find out about the hikes you can take around the area. There are some gorgeous hiking trails, some of them you can park, and then find the trail head, and some of them are only accessed by boat. There are 2 addresses for the Kab Visitor Center (2 physical locations). Here is the second place: 9940 Cedar Lane, Kab 56669 (218) 875-2111. Take a left a Pine Ridge Gift Shop and you'll run into the visitor center.
Lake Kabetogama Visitor Center Public Access
9940 Cedar Ln
This is close to the cabin. About a 10 min drive. This is where you can find all sorts of brochures and trail maps, etc on the park. Ask a ranger for advice. This is usually the location that Fishing Guides will pick you up as well. There is a small interactive exhibit inside that is nice, and a small nature trail. A small selection of Voyageur's National Park clothing, posters, pins, etc. Find out about the hikes you can take around the area. There are some gorgeous hiking trails, some of them you can park, and then find the trail head, and some of them are only accessed by boat. There are 2 addresses for the Kab Visitor Center (2 physical locations). Here is the second place: 9940 Cedar Lane, Kab 56669 (218) 875-2111. Take a left a Pine Ridge Gift Shop and you'll run into the visitor center.
This is a funky weird place to visit by boat. Walk around the self guided trail and read about a man who spent a lot of time putting rocks together in unusual formations. Allow 45 min. It is a pretty place to have a picnic. There are picnic tables. Don't have high expectations for the rocks. Remember... it's a 'weird' place, in my opinion!
Ellsworth Rock Gardens
This is a funky weird place to visit by boat. Walk around the self guided trail and read about a man who spent a lot of time putting rocks together in unusual formations. Allow 45 min. It is a pretty place to have a picnic. There are picnic tables. Don't have high expectations for the rocks. Remember... it's a 'weird' place, in my opinion!
Only accessible by boat through Namaken. On a fantastic day on the water it is a gorgeous boat ride and I love to go to the Tilton Hilton to get a pink vodka lemonade. The Tilton Hilton has an extremely warped floor where your drink could slide from one end of the table to the other end. Stretch your legs and look at the overlook to the Dam. Canada is on the other side. The hotel was built in 1913. Sometimes they let you go upstairs to see the back-in-time hotel rooms with wash basins in them. Simple living for guests. But the docks, grounds, and dam are all open.
Kettle Falls Hotel
12977 Chippewa Trail
Only accessible by boat through Namaken. On a fantastic day on the water it is a gorgeous boat ride and I love to go to the Tilton Hilton to get a pink vodka lemonade. The Tilton Hilton has an extremely warped floor where your drink could slide from one end of the table to the other end. Stretch your legs and look at the overlook to the Dam. Canada is on the other side. The hotel was built in 1913. Sometimes they let you go upstairs to see the back-in-time hotel rooms with wash basins in them. Simple living for guests. But the docks, grounds, and dam are all open.
Visitor Center with trail maps, ranger advice, a very nice trail across the parking lot from the center. Blind Ash Bay Trail- This is one of the more lengthy hikes, probably about a 2 hour loop with some hills. (Blind Ash Trail). Some Voyaguer National Park garb and trinkets, pins for sale here. Docks available by boat. A very nicely paved scenic road leads to this visitor center. Also stop at the short hike (30 min) on the way here to Sullivan Bay Trailhead, and the Beaver Dam Overlook. Meadwood Rd Trail, Orr, 55771
Ash River Visitor Center
9899 Mead Wood Road
Visitor Center with trail maps, ranger advice, a very nice trail across the parking lot from the center. Blind Ash Bay Trail- This is one of the more lengthy hikes, probably about a 2 hour loop with some hills. (Blind Ash Trail). Some Voyaguer National Park garb and trinkets, pins for sale here. Docks available by boat. A very nicely paved scenic road leads to this visitor center. Also stop at the short hike (30 min) on the way here to Sullivan Bay Trailhead, and the Beaver Dam Overlook. Meadwood Rd Trail, Orr, 55771
About a 45 min hike. Short and sweet and a super nice view of Namaken at the end, up on a cliff overlooking the lake. Great place to enjoy a beverage or have your lunch. A picnic table at the end of the trail. It's a straight line- out and back, not a loop. The trailhead is on the shoulder of the road with a gate blocking cars from driving in. Can be easily overlooked. Mead Wood Road, Orr, MN... on the main road on the way to the Ash River Visitor Center on the right side. Small parking area- not a "parking lot" so to say. The trail sign is on the gate that blocks the road so people don't drive in. It is ok to walk past the gate to get on the trail.
Sullivan Bay Trailhead
Mead Wood Road
About a 45 min hike. Short and sweet and a super nice view of Namaken at the end, up on a cliff overlooking the lake. Great place to enjoy a beverage or have your lunch. A picnic table at the end of the trail. It's a straight line- out and back, not a loop. The trailhead is on the shoulder of the road with a gate blocking cars from driving in. Can be easily overlooked. Mead Wood Road, Orr, MN... on the main road on the way to the Ash River Visitor Center on the right side. Small parking area- not a "parking lot" so to say. The trail sign is on the gate that blocks the road so people don't drive in. It is ok to walk past the gate to get on the trail.
Echo Bay Trail - Voyageurs National Park
12937 Northern Lights Rd
A previous visitor said the Herriman Trail to Little Vermilion Lake (BWCA) was a good hike. It is a one hour drive away to access. A ranger could give you better info on the route to take. And if you go all the way to Crane Lake, The Vermilion Gorge is a definite fantastic hike too.
Crane Lake
A previous visitor said the Herriman Trail to Little Vermilion Lake (BWCA) was a good hike. It is a one hour drive away to access. A ranger could give you better info on the route to take. And if you go all the way to Crane Lake, The Vermilion Gorge is a definite fantastic hike too.
This is a moderate hike that will take at least 2 hours. Fast raging river parallels part of the hike (not for small children). Can be accessed by boat or car. If arriving by boat, it is about a 2 hour ride. 70 minute drive by car.
Vermilion Gorge
This is a moderate hike that will take at least 2 hours. Fast raging river parallels part of the hike (not for small children). Can be accessed by boat or car. If arriving by boat, it is about a 2 hour ride. 70 minute drive by car.
On Namaken, If you like a little bit of history, you'll enjoy this self toured island where Ingvald Stevens built a cabin back in the 30's and lived out most of his life on the island. Visitors can enjoy the area as a day use site, which provides an accessible dock, privy, fire ring, and two picnic tables. Historic buildings such as Stevens’ cabin, a guest cabin, sauna, woodshop, and root cellar are open to the public to explore.
Stevens Island
On Namaken, If you like a little bit of history, you'll enjoy this self toured island where Ingvald Stevens built a cabin back in the 30's and lived out most of his life on the island. Visitors can enjoy the area as a day use site, which provides an accessible dock, privy, fire ring, and two picnic tables. Historic buildings such as Stevens’ cabin, a guest cabin, sauna, woodshop, and root cellar are open to the public to explore.
This is a super short level hike. If you don't want a strenuous hike, and only want to walk for about 30 minutes, this is for you. It's a 6 minute drive to the trail head.
Echo Bay Trail - Voyageurs National Park
12937 Northern Lights Rd
This is a super short level hike. If you don't want a strenuous hike, and only want to walk for about 30 minutes, this is for you. It's a 6 minute drive to the trail head.
This is in our top 2 favorite hikes. It is accessed by boat via Kabetogama. No flip flops. Tennis shoes will be fine (you don't need hiking boots). This is a moderate hike with some uphill elevations. Very pretty hike. Narrow path. Ends at Locator Lake. If you plan ahead, contact the Visitor center and get a key to a boat or canoe available once you reach Locator. Docks available to tie up your boat while you hike. It's a scenic little lake. Very private. We usually enjoy a beverage or lunch once we get there. There are a couple picnic tables. At the right time of year, you can snack on some occasional blueberry bushes.
Locator Lake Trail
This is in our top 2 favorite hikes. It is accessed by boat via Kabetogama. No flip flops. Tennis shoes will be fine (you don't need hiking boots). This is a moderate hike with some uphill elevations. Very pretty hike. Narrow path. Ends at Locator Lake. If you plan ahead, contact the Visitor center and get a key to a boat or canoe available once you reach Locator. Docks available to tie up your boat while you hike. It's a scenic little lake. Very private. We usually enjoy a beverage or lunch once we get there. There are a couple picnic tables. At the right time of year, you can snack on some occasional blueberry bushes.
This is in our Top 2 hikes. By car or by boat. Trailhead is available across the main parking lot of the Ash River Visitor Center. Moderate with some uphill climbs. Allow 2 hours if you dilly dally or rest. Otherwise 90 minutes. Lollipop loop trail. If you are not able to hike or on limited time, there is an overlook as well to enjoy the view. Very pretty hike with nice views. Occasional blueberries to snack on.
Blind Ash Bay
This is in our Top 2 hikes. By car or by boat. Trailhead is available across the main parking lot of the Ash River Visitor Center. Moderate with some uphill climbs. Allow 2 hours if you dilly dally or rest. Otherwise 90 minutes. Lollipop loop trail. If you are not able to hike or on limited time, there is an overlook as well to enjoy the view. Very pretty hike with nice views. Occasional blueberries to snack on.
This would be an all day adventure with pre-planning involved. You will need an advanced reservation to get key to access a canoe from the Visitor Center. (Can be hard to get a reservation) recreation dot gov/camping/campsites/63437015 Accessed only by boat. This is a 2 mile trail that will lead you to a locked canoe. That leads to a trail, canoe, fishing. You'll need to bring your fishing gear with you and fish out of a canoe to catch shoepack musky. An unusual hybrid of smaller muskies. Research and do your planning well in advance.
Shoepack Lake
This would be an all day adventure with pre-planning involved. You will need an advanced reservation to get key to access a canoe from the Visitor Center. (Can be hard to get a reservation) recreation dot gov/camping/campsites/63437015 Accessed only by boat. This is a 2 mile trail that will lead you to a locked canoe. That leads to a trail, canoe, fishing. You'll need to bring your fishing gear with you and fish out of a canoe to catch shoepack musky. An unusual hybrid of smaller muskies. Research and do your planning well in advance.
This is a long trail. Moderate to strenuous. 9 miles. Not a loop. There are smaller trails connected to it, like Anderson Bay loop, Eks trail. Cruiser Lake Trail leads to Little Shoepack. Get a trail map or talk to a ranger at a Visitor Center. I have taken part of this trail, but can't recall it. I do recall that you'll need bug spray. Accessible by boat only.
Cruiser Lake Trail Voyageurs National Park
This is a long trail. Moderate to strenuous. 9 miles. Not a loop. There are smaller trails connected to it, like Anderson Bay loop, Eks trail. Cruiser Lake Trail leads to Little Shoepack. Get a trail map or talk to a ranger at a Visitor Center. I have taken part of this trail, but can't recall it. I do recall that you'll need bug spray. Accessible by boat only.

Food scene

Good food and also a bar area. They used to have trivia on Mondays but I'm not sure if they still do that. Friday night is Prime Rib night. You'll need to call ahead for a reservation. They built a new deck overlooking a view of the lake which nearly always includes pelican watching. This is a 5 minute walk from the cabin. Nice to get food or have some drinks and walk back to the cabin. Walk to the end of our gravel road where it forks, and take a right into the Arrowhead property.
Arrowhead Lodge
10473 Waltz Rd
Good food and also a bar area. They used to have trivia on Mondays but I'm not sure if they still do that. Friday night is Prime Rib night. You'll need to call ahead for a reservation. They built a new deck overlooking a view of the lake which nearly always includes pelican watching. This is a 5 minute walk from the cabin. Nice to get food or have some drinks and walk back to the cabin. Walk to the end of our gravel road where it forks, and take a right into the Arrowhead property.
Bar and grill. About a 20 minute drive north. 4660 US Hwy 53, Ray, MN. Pizza, nachos wings, burgers. Bingo/pull tabs. Thursday nights BINGO at 6:00. Go early to get a table. 218.875.2700. NOTE: Closed on Mondays and Tuesday. Happy hour on W-Th from 4-6. Fr/Sat/Sun Happy hour from 12-1:00. Sunday Funday Bloody Marys all day.
Boondocks Bar & Grill
4660 U.S. 53
Bar and grill. About a 20 minute drive north. 4660 US Hwy 53, Ray, MN. Pizza, nachos wings, burgers. Bingo/pull tabs. Thursday nights BINGO at 6:00. Go early to get a table. 218.875.2700. NOTE: Closed on Mondays and Tuesday. Happy hour on W-Th from 4-6. Fr/Sat/Sun Happy hour from 12-1:00. Sunday Funday Bloody Marys all day.
Bar food and drinks, small outdoor patio. Not sure which days they are open. Call ahead. About a 5 minute drive down Waltz road. Turn right at the stop sign. 218.875.2841. 10428 Gamma Rd.
Kec's Kove
10428 Gamma Rd
Bar food and drinks, small outdoor patio. Not sure which days they are open. Call ahead. About a 5 minute drive down Waltz road. Turn right at the stop sign. 218.875.2841. 10428 Gamma Rd.
Fun, full bar with a (small) selection of draft beer. Good food. We like the Rueben, Patty Melt, and the Puffy Tacos. Always a handful of locals to chat with on the bar side. Fun to sit in the bar and look at the funny signs and old beer slogans. 10064 Gappa Rd. 218.875.3481. They are rumored to have a happy hour, but their clock is off by roughly 15 minutes in the bar and it is never honored when I arrive. So don't forget you are on bar time when it comes to happy hour. I think it is either from 4-5 or 5-6 on weekdays. But it's really a crap shoot!
The Rocky Ledge
10064 Gappa Rd
Fun, full bar with a (small) selection of draft beer. Good food. We like the Rueben, Patty Melt, and the Puffy Tacos. Always a handful of locals to chat with on the bar side. Fun to sit in the bar and look at the funny signs and old beer slogans. 10064 Gappa Rd. 218.875.3481. They are rumored to have a happy hour, but their clock is off by roughly 15 minutes in the bar and it is never honored when I arrive. So don't forget you are on bar time when it comes to happy hour. I think it is either from 4-5 or 5-6 on weekdays. But it's really a crap shoot!
Large Bar and dining area. They have some specialty drinks like frozen alcoholic mocha something, among others (Maui Wowie, Dreamsicle). Bingo is Tuesday nights and starts at 7:00. $12 a card, $2 for coverall. This would be a 30 minute drive by car. Not sure how far by boat, but the boat ride on the actual Ash River, although pretty short, is very scenic. I cannot attest to the food here. The Bingo announcer, if still the same guy, was very funny.
Frontier Resort
10141 Ash River Trail
Large Bar and dining area. They have some specialty drinks like frozen alcoholic mocha something, among others (Maui Wowie, Dreamsicle). Bingo is Tuesday nights and starts at 7:00. $12 a card, $2 for coverall. This would be a 30 minute drive by car. Not sure how far by boat, but the boat ride on the actual Ash River, although pretty short, is very scenic. I cannot attest to the food here. The Bingo announcer, if still the same guy, was very funny.
Pine Ridge gift shop has some bakery treats and iced/hot coffees available. Open 9:00-6:00, except Sundays: 10:00-4:00. Call in by noon to pre-order a pie for the next day. My neighbor recommends BLUEBERRY! (218) 875-3313
Pine Ridge Gift Shop, Bakery and Coffee Shop - Seasonal May thru October
9903 Gamma Rd
Pine Ridge gift shop has some bakery treats and iced/hot coffees available. Open 9:00-6:00, except Sundays: 10:00-4:00. Call in by noon to pre-order a pie for the next day. My neighbor recommends BLUEBERRY! (218) 875-3313