Life on the Lake (Ash River)
Travel into Namakan Lake to learn about the many inhabitants who have called this beautiful, rugged, and sometimes harsh environment home, and hear stories about the unique ways in which people have made their living in the wild of the Northwoods. Disembark at I.W. Stevens Island to walk among the old cabins and lodge from one of the earliest resorts, and visit Hoist Bay to explore and learn about this historic location's evolution from the logging days into the recreational era. There are accessible paths at IW, but not at Hoist Bay.
The Life on the Lake tour boards at the Ash River Visitor Center - 9899 Meadwood Rd, Ash River, MN, 55771.
This tour typically runs from mid-June through September.
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Check in at the Ash River Visitor Center
Check in for tour 30 minutes prior to departure at the Ash River Visitor Center - 9899 Meadwood Rd, Ash River, MN 55771. From Hwy 53, turn onto the Ash River Trail / County Hwy 129 and follow for 7 miles. Turn left onto the Meadwood Road (entrance road to Ash River Visitor Center). After approximately 3 miles, this road ends at the Ash River Visitor Center parking area.
- Minimum Passenger Rule
Tour capacity is 29 passengers; a minimum of 6 passengers is required for the tour to depart.
- Recommended Items
Jackets, bug spray, and sunscreen are recommended.
- Restrooms
There is no restroom aboard the boat. Please use visitor center restrooms before departing. There is an accessible comfort station privy at I.W. Stevens, but the comfort station at Hoist Bay is not accessible.
- Prohibited Items
- Food may not be eaten on the vessel, but drinking water is allowed. No smoking on the tour boat.
- No pets are allowed on tour boats unless they are properly documented service animals that are marked accordingly.
