BWCA Entry Point 34 - Island River
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Entry Point: Island River #34 Last Visited: July 25, 2021;
Previous Visit(s): July 10, 2016
Maps: Fisher F-4; McKenzie #19 Daily Quota: 2
Fire History: 2011
Nearest Ranger Station: Tofte Ranger Station, Tofte, MN along Hwy. 61 on the North Shore
Portage Length from Parking Lot: None Restroom at Entry Point: No. There is one just down the road (one mile) at BWCA Entry Point 35 - Isabella Lake

BWCA Entry Point 34 - Island River

Tofte Ranger District

Access to the Island River Entry Point is from Minnesota Highway 1. From the town of Isabella, just head out of town on Forest Road 912. There are many signs along these gravel forest roads that show the mileage and direction to the many BWCA entry points in the area. The signs are posted at almost every intersection.

The Island River is well within the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire burn zone. There is burnt forest as far as the eye can see (with little islands of trees that somehow survived). The area is starting to green up as of 2021, many new trees now stand around 10 to 12 feet high.

The actual Island River entry point is located where the road crosses a wooden bridge over the river. The parking area is right next to the river and this bridge. It feels very exposed as there are no trees here at all, just charred stumps, river and fields of blowing grass. The wind really howls through here now, there being nothing to slow it down. That can make paddling difficult if it is breezy. To enter the BWCA, go under the bridge from the parking lot. If you are looking to check out the Native American pictograph site found along the Island River, go the other way. That pictograph site is not in the BWCA, but it is worth a visit if you have the time.

Since the Island River entry point is so near BWCA Entry Point 35 - Isabella Lake, if you can't get a permit for one, the other offers nearly the same route options to Isabella Lake and the Isabella River.

Exploring the Entry Point

Click on the photos below to see the full resolution image - Use your browsers back button to close photo and return to this page.

Island River Entry Point 1B
Sign along Tomahawk Road right before the turn off into the entry point parking lot (May 12, 2023).

Island River Entry Point 1A
Sign along Tomahawk Road right before the turn off into the entry point parking lot (July 2021).

Island River Entry Point 1
Similar view as above, but from a slightly different angle (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 2
A really good look at that sign...(July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 3B
The bridge over the Island River. This is Tomahawk Road. The road is named after an old logging company that worked this area back in the 1940's to the early 1960's (May 12, 2023).

Island River Entry Point 3A
The bridge over the Island River. This is Tomahawk Road. The road is named after an old logging company that worked this area back in the 1940's to the early 1960's (July 2021).

Island River Entry Point 3
Similar view from the past as the one shown above (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 4B
This is the newer bulletin board that was placed here sometime after 2021 (May 12, 2023).

Island River Entry Point 4A
This is the newer bulletin board that was placed here sometime after 2016. It has also been moved to the other side of the parking lot (July 2021).

Island River Entry Point 4
The old bulletin board (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 5
You are standing on the shore of the Island River with the parking lot a few feet behind you. To your right is downriver. The BWCA is entered after going under that bridge. Upstream (heading out of the BWCA) to the left, there is a pictograph site that can be seen along the river a few miles upstream (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 10A
View of the Island River during a flood as a result of heavy snowmelt (May 12, 2023).


Island River Entry Point 10
View of the Island River during drought conditions (July 2021).



Wandering around the Island River entry point area (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 6
For a good view of the area, walk out on this bridge (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 11
Looking upstream. Drought conditions so river is low for this time of year (July 2021).


Island River Entry Point 7A
Looking upriver while standing in the middle of the bridge with high water levels (May 12, 2023).


Island River Entry Point 7
Looking upriver while standing in the middle of the bridge (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 8A
The view downriver in high water conditions. This is looking into the Boundary Waters whose boundary you cross right after you go under the bridge (May 12, 2023).

Island River Entry Point 8
The view downriver (July 2016).


Island River Entry Point 9
BWCA boundary marker. The Island River flows into the Isabella River about 1.5 miles downstream.


Island River Entry Point 10
This image gives a good view of the entire entry point.

Now that you've reached the bank of the river, visit the: ISLAND RIVER

Return to List of BWCA Entry Points (sorted by Entry Point Name or by Entry Point #)


 
PMA #1: Weeny PMA #4: Tick PMA #7: Pitfall PMA #10: Hairy
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