Lake Vermilion: A Boater’s Paradise in Minnesota’s Secluded Northwoods
If you are looking for a true getaway filled with the tranquility of a secluded cove in one of Northern Minnesota’s largest lakes, then look no further than boating on Lake Vermilion. It is not just the 40,000 acres of water that makes Vermillion impressive, it’s the over 365 Vermilion islands that make it special, giving you an extensive shoreline to explore.
Vermillion offers excluded bays, coves, and channels nestled in the wilds of Minnesota’s Northwoods with classic Canadian Shield scenery and next to the Superior National Forest, full of rock formations, pine and birch forests, and explorable waterways.
Why Lake Vermilion?
Lake Vermilion is located in the northeastern part of Minnesota and is a Canadian Shield lake, meaning it has some of the oldest exposed rock in North America. It is this bedrock and glacier activity over millions of years that gave rise to the numerous islands that make up the area’s rugged and distinct scenery.
Lake Vermilion is one of the biggest lakes in Minnesota, and with those 365 islands, it has the longest shoreline of any lake inside state boundaries at 1200 miles. And more than 80 of the islands are public land and open for use. That’s a lot of shoreline waiting for your discovery. All those islands also make it one of the more secluded Minnesota lakes, which is fairly characteristic of the larger lakes located in the northeastern part of the state. It is ideal for loon watching, island hopping, and wilderness exploration.
With a Your Boat Club rental or membership, boating on Lake Vermillion is made simple, giving you a home base for launching a day exploring one of the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota.
Start Here: Your Boat Club – Lake Vermilion Marina
Your Boat Club’s Lake Vermilion Marina is located at 1 Marina Drive on the southern shore of the lake in Tower, MN. Boating on Lake Vermilion is made easy with Your Boat Club’s many amenities, including parking, streamlined check-in, public gas, ice, snacks and other necessities for sale.
Tubing, which is a popular summer activity on the lake, is allowed from this Your Boat Club location with boat rentals available that are suitable for towing. Some tubes are available for rent or sale along with ropes. With an annual membership, tubes and ropes are available with no additional cost.
Your Boat Club offers several annual membership levels along with daily or multi-day rentals. A membership gives you the flexibility to enjoy boating at any time during the season along with added membership perks from Your Boat Club's partnerships with local businesses, including discounts on dining, lodging, and side-by-side rentals. Daily or multi-day rentals give you the opportunity to explore a specific lake at a specific time with a hassle-free and supportive rental process. You can reserve now for the upcoming season.
Quiet-Water Routes and Scenic Loops
With so much shoreline, Lake Vermilion has hundreds of protected bays, coves, and inlets ready for you to explore and enjoy its stunning scenery. The lake is well-marked with buoys and channel markers that make it navigable and accessible to explore by boat, but its size and hundreds of inlets and coves allows for privacy and seclusion too. A day on Lake Vermilion means a day filled with tucking into a cove for relaxation and fun amidst a gorgeous wilderness backdrop.
East End: Stuntz Bay to Armstrong Bay
This east end excursion has you cruising the shore past the Stuntz Bay Boathouse Historic District, then heading out to Armstrong Bay and then Cable Bay to slip into some secluded coves and inlets for an afternoon of swimming, tubing, and relaxing. Boating rules and regulations apply while cruising Lake Vermilion, which includes respectful no-wake areas, such as near boathouses, docks, and beaches.
Central Islands: Big Bay and Pine Island Pockets
This central section of the lake is ideal for island-hoping amongst sheltered cuts and lee shores. This area boasts well-marked channels where it is easy to find a calm bay for a day’s recreation, which makes it especially appealing to first-timers looking for calm, glassy water and some exceptional loon watching.
West End: Wakemup Bay and Day-Use Beach
For a mix of open vistas along with sheltered channels and inlets that offer protection from the wind, head to the west end of Vermilion, which includes Wakemup Bay with its day-use beach and campground facilities. This area makes for an easy shore break as you cruise and explore. Pack a lunch and delight in a picnic using the islands’ facilities, take a swim on the sandy beach, and even enjoy a hike on the groomed trails.
Boundary Waters “Taster”: Trout Lake Portage
Lake Vermilion is almost completely surrounded by the Superior National Forest and near the northern shore of the lake, it touches the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) with its vast, secluded, and protected land and lakes. Some would even characterize Lake Vermilion as a Boundary Waters gateway. Exploring here will give you a feel for the wilder and most pristine part of the area and it is possible to go from Lake Vermilion through the Trout Lake portage into the BWCAW.
As a federally protected area, managed by the National Wilderness Preservation System, permits are required to enter the BWCAW and quotas apply. These rules and regulations are enforced by the U.S. Forest Service and Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Permits for the day use of a motorized boat and an overnight paddle entry differ. You can get more information on this through the US Forest Service website.
Boat-Friendly Dock-and-Dines
Options to dock and dine in Vermilion are plentiful and during boating season even a way of life. Here is a short list of boat-accessible or lakeside restaurants where you can enjoy low-key dining in a beautiful setting.
Bayview Bar and Grill (near Tower, MN)
The Bayview Bar and Grill, located on the Bayview RV Resort property on the southeastern part of the lake near Tower, MN, has docks available for boat parking and offers casual dining amongst picturesque waters and towering pines. The menu includes burgers, fries, chicken, fresh fish, salads, and more.
Fortune Bay Resort Casino (near Tower, MN)
Also, near Tower, MN on the shores of Lake Vermillion sits the Fortune Bay Resort Casino, a part of the Bois Forte Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. You can access the resort from the lake by parking your boat at the Fortune Bay Marina. Dining is available at several restaurants located in the resort, including the Sunset Steakhouse, Wilderness Grill, Goldmine Grill, and the North Star Bar. The wide variety of tasty food is all served up with scenic views. The resort also has lodging, entertainment, a casino, and daily indoor and outdoor activities.
The Vermilion Club, Daisy Bay
Another waterfront destination on the eastern side of the lake is Daisy Bay, home to The Vermilion Club, an iconic lunch stop for enjoying a menu of appetizers, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and pasta along with a full bar.
The Landing, Lake Vermilion (near Cook, MN)
One of the area’s premier waterfront restaurants and bars, The Landing, is located at the west end of Head-O-Lake Bay near Cook, MN and is a lakeside hangout with dockside service. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating with a casual, Northwoods cabin style feel and panoramic views of the lake. Their menu includes classic American dishes ranging from burgers, wraps, and pizzas to steak, soups, and salads. They also offer a full bar with wine, beers, and signature cocktails along with a firepit, live music, and dockside gas.
Can’t-Miss Views with Photo Share Opportunities
The beautiful scenery of northern Minnesota offers up plenty of opportunities for perfect picture taking. Share those moments filled with pine-edged islands, wide-angle lookouts across Big Bay, and wildlife such as loons and eagles. Lake Vermilion is a picturesque wilderness that will give you lots of photos to share and enjoy for years to come.
Best Times and Conditions
Mornings on Lake Vermilion, as with many Northern Minnesota lakes, will usually bring calmer, glassy water that is ideal for a tranquil boat cruise. If you are looking for maximum seclusion plan to visit outside of the peak times at the height of summer in July and August. The shoulder seasons of Spring (May and June) and Fall (September and early October) will be less crowded. You can even plan a fall color cruise to take in the vibrant leaves of the changing season. Remember that Lake Vermilion is located in the northern part of Minnesota and the leaves will change earlier, often reaching their peak at the end of September, and the evenings and early mornings can get quite cool. This can even be true in mid to late August, so be sure to pack with dressing in layers in mind. Have options that include longer pants, sweatshirts, and windbreakers. Also remember to pack sunscreen, sunglasses/sunhat, bug spray, your swimsuit, towel, first aid kit, rain gear, and, as always, wear a lifejacket. Safety and being prepared make it possible to get the most out of your Northwoods adventure.
The numerous protected bays and inlets of Lake Vermilion are helpful since if you reach one area that is windy it is easy to “hide” in another nearby cove. The easily navigated, buoyed and well-marked channels also make it easy to hop from bay to bay.
When enjoying the public islands on Lake Vermilion, also be sure to practice day-use etiquette by not leaving a trace. Whatever you pack-in needs to be packed-out to keep the pristine wilderness just that--pristine. Respect the beautiful land you are exploring by making sure it is there for others to explore in the future.
Make A Weekend (or More) Out of It
The beauty of Lake Vermilion cannot all be taken in during the course of one day. By extending your stay, you can explore more of what the area has to offer. Rooms are available at Fortune Bay Resort Casino. They even have a golf course.
Other resort options include Ludlow’s Island Resort with a classic Vermilion vibe and Northwoods island-style lodging.
Lake Vermilion Boating Made Simple with Your Boat Club
Your Boat Club makes Lake Vermilion boat rentals simple and hassle free. Whether you opt for an annual membership or a day or multi-day rental, exploring Northern Minnesota is best done from the vantage point of a boat. It is difficult to get the real feel of this beautiful, secluded area any other way. The onsite conveniences, tubing allowance, and public gas available with Your Boat Club at 1 Marina Drive in Tower on the shores of Lake Vermilion give you the perfect jumping off point for your northern adventure. Contact Your Boat Club to book your boat and be on your way.
