08/14/2026
We’ve reached the final stretch! 🛶 Meet our last four Twin Ports launch sites. Whether you’re looking for remote wetlands, urban harbor views, or accessible beaches, these final locations have something for every kind of paddler.
If you like seclusion, wetlands, and weather stations ➡️ Pokegama Bay!
Definitely the most secluded and primitive of the Superior launches, Pokegama Bay provides an accessible paddle launch in one of the coolest parts of the St. Louis River. Just a few paddle strokes down the river from the paddle launch is an area of wetlands unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. It offers an abundance of information regarding the river, lake, and the wetlands that surround it. These information signs will tell you about a weather station just a couple of steps (or strokes) down from the launch. It monitors weather conditions and the water quality of the area, and is worth checking out even if you don’t know much about either! Despite its distance away from civilization, Pokegama Bay makes up for that with its beautiful wetlands and the chance to learn a little more about your home.
If you like architecture and the quiet of the harbor ➡️ Rice's Point!
Sitting beneath the very bridge that connects the Twin Ports is Rice’s Point. Though it’s not far away from the city by any means, it is quite the hidden gem that is right beneath our feet. It has multiple docks for both motorized and non-motorized boats, as well as a fishing pier. It is quite the advanced place to launch, as it tends to be right next to the harbor and a lot of man-made structures, but studying up on paddle safe and boater rules will help you make sure that you are prepared for the challenges that Rice’s Point Access may bring. Despite the urbanized area that surrounds it, Rice’s Point is an easy getaway to the Lake and a fun place to try out your boating and/or paddling skills.
If you like easy water access, sandy beaches, and ample information ➡️ UMD Boat Shed!
Owned by the University of Minnesota Duluth, the Boat Shed is a great place to launch the paddlesport of your choice. One great thing about the Boat Shed that you can’t find anywhere else is that oftentimes, UMD will lead paddlesport classes there. They teach canoeing and kayaking, and overall a relatively inexpensive way to get into paddlesports if you have never done them before. The other charm that the Boat Shed offers is a great place to sit and watch the ships that go by. Bring a chair, a book, and yourself, and you’re set for a day of hanging out at the beach, even if it’s too cold to swim or engage in a paddlesport. This rustic launch is a great place to either boat yourself or stay on the shore and watch boats go by.
If you like wildlife, birdwatching, and accessibility ➡️ Woodstock Bay!
Newly restored in 2024 to include new amenities and ways to be accessible, Woodstock Bay Landing outshines what it used to be. While it’s not motorized, it does its best to be a paddle launch that's suitable for everyone. With an accessible paddle launch that either leads deeper into the river or out on a small bay in Lake Superior. The different options it offers make it great for all paddling levels. It also includes a place to fish, with multiple docks that are easily accessible for anyone. Lots of different wildlife can be viewed from this launch as well, either off one of the many piers or along the rocky beaches that are there. It’s great for birdwatching as well, so make sure you bring your binoculars when you come and visit!
🛶 As you gear up for the rest of the paddling season, make safety your top priority! Head over to paddlesafetwinports.org to explore detailed maps for all our launch sites, check safety checklists, and find everything you need to navigate our local waters with confidence all season long.
