Minnesota whitewater, Cloquet River St. Louis county, US Route 53 to US Route 2 section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     11 miles   The river is at least 100 miles long. I've paddled from Katherine Lake to the St. Louis River and there is plenty of river to paddle besides the section from US 53 to US 2. The top section, from Katherine Lake to Lake Co #2 is an especially wild ride, and I've only done it once, but the drop is incredible, sometimes like a logging flume. Says Pierre G The US Route 53 to US Route 2 stretch of Cloquet River in Minnesota is 11 miles     long and has been rated as a class I-II section by American Whitewater. The scenic beauty of Minnesota and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Minnesota is often tougher than elsewhere, so keep in mind that many runs in this state are not easy. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Duluth, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. If you have the time you can make this a two day trip, so why not pack your sleeping bag too. Getting some good exercise and   just being out on the river for a while are great reasons to come. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. The US Route 53 to US Route 2 stretch is one of a few paddling stretches in this river system. Briefly about the general area: Here at Cloquet River you'll perhaps meet some folks from Saginaw, and Jay Cooke State Park is a great location to take a look at. For the period of the long summer days here at Cloquet River, high temperatures generally reach the 70's with night lows in the 50's. Cloquet River, US Route 53 to US Route 2 road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Cloquet River.   Whitewater Near Cloquet River: Cloquet River, St. Louis County, 5 miles away       Class I-II - 11 miles long (US Route 53 to US Route 2) St. Louis River, Carlton County, 12 miles away       Class II-III - 3.4 miles long (Highway 61 to Thomson Reservoir) St. Louis River, Carlton County, 14 miles away       Class II-V - 3.25 miles long (CR210 to Oldenburg Point) Midway River, Scanlon County, 14 miles away       Class I-II - 4 miles long (Highway 61 to Thomson Reservoir) St. Louis River, St. Louis County, 22 miles away       Class I-II - 85 miles long (Highway 53 to Highway 33) Kettle River, Carlton/Pine County, 26 miles away       Class I-II - 25 miles long (CR4 to CR52)   Ski Areas Near Cloquet River: Spirit Mountain, Minnesota , 22 miles away, 700 foot drop, 9 lifts, 22 runs Giants Ridge, Minnesota , 35 miles away, 500 foot drop, 6 lifts, 34 runs Wild Mountain, Minnesota , 71 miles away, 300 foot drop, 8 lifts, 25 runs Trollhaugen, Wisconsin , 74 miles away, 260 foot drop, 9 lifts, 22 runs Afton Alps, Minnesota , 99 miles away, 350 foot drop, 18 lifts, 41 runs   Hotels Near Cloquet River: AmericInn Cloquet, Cloquet , 10 miles away Super 8 Cloquet, Cloquet , 10 miles away AmericInn Carlton, Carlton , 12 miles away AmericInn Duluth South, Duluth , 20 miles away Best Western Plus Spirit Mountain Duluth, Proctor , 22 miles away   Campgrounds Near Cloquet River: Cloquet River Campground, Duluth, 5 miles away Pine River Campground, Rutledge, 5 miles away Spafford Park, Cloquet, 9 miles away   Public Lands Near Cloquet River: Jay Cooke State Park, Minnesota , 15 miles away Moose Lake State Park, Minnesota , 26 miles away Pattison State Park, Wisconsin , 33 miles away   Golf Courses Near Cloquet River: Cloquet Country Club Golf Course, Cloquet , 9 miles away Big Lake Golf Course, Cloquet , 11 miles away Black Bear Golf Course, Carlton , 12 miles away   Lakes Near Cloquet River Horseshoe Lake, St. Louis , 13 miles away Strand Lake, St. Louis , 14 miles away Chub Lake, Carlton , 14 miles away