Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A

A Shoreline Retreat: Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A on Lake Vermilion

For Minnesotans who love the expansive, rugged waters of Lake Vermilion—one of the state’s crown jewels—Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A offers a taste of secluded island life. Located near Tower, MN 55790, this site is not a full-service campground, but a designated, primitive day-use picnic site designed specifically for boaters and paddlers seeking a quiet break from the open water. Situated within the boundaries of the Kabetogama State Forest, the site provides a perfect opportunity to step ashore, stretch your legs, and enjoy a meal in the deep Northwoods setting.

The isolation is a key selling point. The only way to access the site is by water, ensuring a level of tranquility and an authentic remote experience that’s hard to find at drive-up locations. Hinsdale Island is known to host several such boat-in sites, as well as several rustic boat-in campsites managed by the DNR. Site A specifically caters to those looking for a mid-day rest. However, local knowledge is essential: customers advise that the shoreline is "Rocky" and warn "dont land boat here," meaning cautious mooring or landing at nearby, less exposed locations might be necessary before accessing the site. This is a destination for experienced boaters who appreciate a truly natural, undeveloped shoreline.

Location and Accessibility

Hinsdale Island is located on the vast waters of Lake Vermilion, placing this picnic site deep within the northern Minnesota landscape.

• General Location: Hinsdale Island is situated in the main body of Lake Vermilion, near the area managed under the Kabetogama State Forest and in proximity to the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park.
• Access Method: This site is boat-in only. There is no road or trail access from the mainland. Visitors must launch from a public boat ramp (such as those found near Tower or the nearby state park) and navigate the waters of Lake Vermilion to reach the island.
• Shoreline Condition: The shoreline is confirmed to be "Rocky," making docking and secure boat landing challenging, especially during windy conditions or high waves. Paddlers (canoes/kayaks) and motorboats alike must exercise caution upon approach.
• Proximity: Depending on the specific boat launch used (e.g., from the Tower area or a marina), the time needed to reach the island can be substantial, often taking 3.5 to 4 hours of steady travel by paddle or a shorter motorboat trip, confirming its remote status.
• Usage: Site A is a day-use facility; overnight camping is restricted to the island's designated, numbered campsites, which must be separately reserved or claimed first-come, first-served.

Services Offered

Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A offers minimal, primitive services, focusing on providing a clean, designated stop while maintaining the island's natural integrity.

• Picnic Table: The primary service is the provision of a Picnic Table, offering a stable, clean surface for preparing and enjoying a meal in a beautiful setting.
• Fire Grate/Ring (Likely): While Site A is designated as a picnic site, similar rustic boat-in locations often feature a fire ring or grate for contained campfires, following all Forest Service regulations. Visitors should be prepared to use a portable stove if a grate is not present or if fire restrictions are in place.
• Latrine (Likely): For sanitation, similar undeveloped island sites often feature a primitive latrine (vault or pit toilet) nearby, though this is not explicitly confirmed for Site A. Visitors should be prepared for basic wilderness standards.
• Natural Environment: The site provides a small, cleared area for day use and the enjoyment of the undeveloped surrounding forest and shoreline.
• Water Source: The adjacent Lake Vermilion is the raw water source. Visitors must pack in all potable water or bring filtering/purification equipment, as no treated water is available.

Features / Highlights

The key highlights of Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A are its remote location and the quiet, unspoiled Lake Vermilion experience it offers.

• True Boat-In Seclusion: The major highlight is the boat-in only accessibility, which guarantees a higher level of seclusion and a quieter experience compared to drive-up picnic areas. This is a true island getaway.
• Lake Vermilion Scenery: The site offers unobstructed views of the large lake, known for its rugged shoreline, numerous islands, and high scenic value. It’s an ideal place for photography and nature observation.
• Perfect Lunch Stop: It serves as an ideal mid-day break for boaters, anglers, and paddlers exploring the vast network of bays and channels on Lake Vermilion, providing a necessary, legal spot to rest and eat.
• Fishing Hotspot Proximity: Lake Vermilion is a premier Minnesota fishing destination, famous for its walleye, muskie, and smallmouth bass. The island's location places picnickers right in the middle of potential fishing grounds.
• Rustic, Undeveloped Charm: The site's primitive nature means there are no modern intrusions—no power lines, paved paths, or large crowds. It's a genuine slice of Northwoods rusticity.
• Wildlife Viewing: The remote setting increases the likelihood of spotting native Minnesota wildlife, including bald eagles, loons, and various waterfowl.

Contact Information

Since Hinsdale Island is a primitive site managed by the State Forest system, all formal contact should be made through the related DNR office.

• Administrative Address (Closest Designation): Tower, MN 55790, USA.
• Managing Authority: The site is located in Kabetogama State Forest, which is often managed in conjunction with the nearby Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park.
• Park/Forest Contact Phone: Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park Office: (218) 300-7000. This office can provide the most current information on island access, rules, and fire restrictions.
• Reservations: Picnic Site A is generally operated on a first-come, first-served basis, though the island's adjacent campsites must be reserved or claimed as first-come, first-served through the DNR system. It is best to contact the Park Office for confirmation.

Safety Note: Always check the marine forecast for Lake Vermilion before heading to Hinsdale Island, as the lake can become extremely rough with little warning, making boat landing at the rocky site hazardous.

What is Worth Choosing: The Island Experience

Choosing Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A is choosing the quintessential Minnesota lake exploration experience, prioritizing isolation and natural beauty over convenience. It is worth choosing for:

• The Boat-In Adventure: It provides the fun and challenge of a remote, water-accessible destination—a rewarding logistical goal for any local boater or paddler.
• Superior Solitude: As one customer noted the area can be "busy," but choosing a remote island picnic site guarantees more space and quiet than mainland access points.
• Picnic with a View: It offers a simple, necessary amenity—the picnic table—in an entirely undeveloped and spectacularly scenic location, perfect for recharging during a long day on the water.
• A Glimpse of the Island Camp: It serves as a perfect introduction to the more rigorous island camping available nearby, allowing day visitors to assess the area's suitability for a future multi-day stay.
• The Unspoiled Shoreline: Despite the difficulty reported in landing, the rocky, undeveloped shoreline is a feature that appeals directly to those seeking an escape from manicured beaches and docks.

For Minnesotans and Lake Vermilion regulars, Hinsdale Island Picnic Site A is the quiet, rugged spot that transforms a day of boating into a true Northwoods island retreat.