Activities

From nature walks and northern Minnesota wilderness adventure to wildlife viewing and world class Minnesota fishing, golf and snowmobiling, no matter the season, there is plenty to do in the Orr/Pelican Lake area.

Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary operated by the American Bear Association in Orr, Minnesota is often described as the best place to see wild black bears in their natural habitat, and for good reason. From our expanded viewing deck visitors can learn about black bears by observing their natural behavior.

Pelican Lake
For over 80 years, tourists have been drawn to Pelican Lake and Orr, Minnesota because of its reputation for great fishing, clear water and the opportunity to experience the serenity of true wilderness. Pines and evergreens line the shores along with rocks left over from the ice age.

Pelican Lake is haled as one of Minnesota's great fishing lakes with an abundant supply of bluegills, large and smallmouth bass, walleyes, crappies, northern pike, bullheads and perch. Children enjoy casting a line for panfish and are rarely disappointed!

With nearly 11,000 acres, 54 miles of shoreline and over 50 islands to explore, Pelican Lake is a dream come true for those who have yet to experience its treasures! Happy vacationers return year after year, swimming in the tranquil waters, paddling canoes along its mesmerizing shores and heading out for a day of serious fishing.

Pelican Lake Minnesota is perhaps one of the State's most beautiful wilderness lakes. With a maximum depth of just 38 feet, Pelican Lake draws many Great White American Pelicans (it's namesake). Every year the Pelicans call Pelican Lake their summer home. These massive birds are magnificent to behold! As you meander around Pelican Lake, take a deep breath of fresh air and keep your camera ready as black bear, deer, wolves, otter, beavers, fox, eagles, osprey, hawks and other waterfowl often appear along the shore.

Bird & Wildlife Watching
The Voyageur Country of Northeastern Minnesota is a wild and wonderful place. The landscape contains many different habitats from bogs to highland pine forests. The bird diversity is amazing. The small towns that are the gateways to the wilderness offer many services to access the area. The townspeople are friendly and willing to help in any they can.

Voyageur Snowmobile Trail System
The Voyageur Snowmobile Trail System is pleased to offer you the following options as you plan your winter get-away to the "Undiscovered Yellowstone" of the Midwest.

Vermilion Gorge
The Vermilion Gorge trailhead is located in the community of Crane Lake 27 miles northeast of Orr. In Crane Lake, keep left, watch for the Voyageurs National Park office. Trail parking is .1 mile past the Park Service office on the left.

At a leisurely pace, this three mile trail can be easily hiked in three hours. The last portion of the trail parallels the Vermilion River Gorge - a rugged landscape of sheer granite cliffs and rock outcrops.

From Crane Lake to Vermilion River the trail is graveled. Boardwalks cross wet areas. Near the crest of the first hill, the Voyageur's Snowmobile trail branches to the left. Keep right on the gravel trail.

Orr Bog Walk
The Orr Bog Walk's half-mile long boardwalk surface provides nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities with easy access to a wide variety of wetland types -- including spruce bog, ash swamp, cattail marsh, and tamarack swamp. In the bog, look for the carnivorous pitcher plant. In the ash swamp, look for purple fringed orchids in July. Along the Pelican River, be on the lookout for otters, muskrats, eagles, osprey, pelicans, and a wide assortment of other wildlife.

Vermilion Falls
Vermilion Falls is a cascading torrent of water forced through a 10-foot wide opening in the granite. It is part of the Vermilion River which runs north 40 miles from Lake Vermilion and empties into Crane Lake through the Vermilion Gorge. The 3/4 mile round trip trail to the falls and observation deck is accessible and passes by three picnic sites which overlook the river. You may bring a portable charcoal grill or campstove for cooking at the picnic sites. Please pack out all trash and protect this fragile area.

The rugged, original Vermilion Falls trail is still maintained for hiking. From the Picnic Area parking lot, go left on the portage a short distance and continue down river on the hiking trail to see some lovely views of the Vermilion River. The old trail is steep in places and crosses some ledge rock on its way to Forest Road 491. From the small parking area on Forest Road 491, cross the road and continue on to "the chute," a constriction in the river that produces a class III - V rapids. Part of the trail also serves as the portage around the rapids.

On your return to the falls, spend a moment on the bridge looking upriver at the small wild rice bed in the bay to your left. In mid-July rice shoots begin to emerge from the water, and seed heads begin to develop in the first part of August. Extensive wild rice beds (wild rice is really an aquatic grass, not a rice) flourish along the Vermilion River and the rice is harvested by humans and wildlife alike from late August through October.

Orr General Store and Mercantile
Full of the charm of days-gone-by, the Orr General Store has served many purposes in it's 100+ years. Inn, tavern, dancehall, community center, brothel and more. Rich in history.

Cold Springs Deer Farm, Pelican Lake

And as long as you’re in Northern Minnesota, take time to investigate the rich history, culture and recreational activities of the area by visiting:

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