Savanna Portage State Park sits where Minnesota’s northern hardwood forests meet the vast peatlands of the state’s boreal north, spanning over 15,000 acres across Aitkin and St. Louis Counties. The park takes its name from the historic Savanna Portage, a grueling six-mile trail used by Dakota, Ojibwe, and fur traders to connect the Mississippi River watershed to Lake Superior via the St. Louis River — one of the most significant trade routes in the region’s history.

Today, that same portage trail is open to hikers, winding through spruce bogs and across boardwalks that hover above the wetlands. The park offers more than 60 miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in winter. Loon Lake serves as the park’s centerpiece, with a swimming beach, fishing pier, and boat launch where anglers chase walleye, northern pike, and panfish.

The campground provides both drive-in and backpack-in sites, many shaded by towering pines and birch. A handful of camper cabins are available for those who prefer a roof overhead. Fall brings spectacular color as the maples and birch turn, making September and early October ideal for a visit. Summer weekends draw families to the lake, while winter transforms the park into a quiet snowshoeing and skiing destination.

Savanna Portage rewards visitors who appreciate wild, uncrowded landscapes. This is deep Minnesota — expect loons calling at dusk, moose tracks on the trail, and dark skies filled with stars.

Explore Nearby

• North Shore Road — Scenic Byway in Nevada
• North Shore Scenic Drive — Scenic Byway in Minnesota
• Duluth North Pier Light — Lighthouse in Minnesota
• Duluth South BreakwaterOuter Light — Lighthouse in Minnesota
• Chippewa National Forest — National Forest in Minnesota