Schoolcraft State Park is a Minnesota state park near Deer River, covering 222 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 222acres
- Deer Rivermailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Quiet Park/Great Relaxation
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: This secluded north woods park is the perfect place to unwind. Quiet and peaceful, the trail system leads hikers through the virgin pine forest that includes a white pine more than 300 years old. Canoeists and anglers enjoy the gentle waters of the Mississippi River. A boat access, picnic area, canoe and drive-in campsites are available to visitors.
Wildlife. Waterfowl abound in this park on the banks of the Mississippi River. Watch for white-tailed deer and migrating birds.
History. The park was named for Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who with Anishinabe guide Ozawindib charted the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Schoolcraft was a long-time agent for the Chippewa Indians at Sault Saint Marie.
Geology. The park is located in Cass County which is in a complex of glacial deposits. The park lies on outwash and till over Biwabik Iron Formation. In the marsh in the southwest corner of the park, there is an oxbow lake near the Vermillion River.
Visit Facts
- Address9042 Schoolcraft Lane NE Deer River, MN 56636 Mailing address: Schoolcraft State Park C/O Grand Rapids Area Office 1201 East Highway 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744
- Phone218-328-8984
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThis park does not have office hours. For information, call the Grand Rapids area office at 218-328-8984.
- Emailschoolcraft.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point47.22281, -93.80659 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Schoolcraft State Park
- Entry noteNo office hours at this park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Self-Guided | Interpretive Signs | Interpretive signs are located throughout the park. |
| Summer | Hiking | 2 Miles | Trail takes you through wooded areas along the river. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in Park | — |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 28 Sites | All sites are rustic. No modern restrooms are available at this park. |
| RV Length Limit | 40 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | — | The campground has one accessible drive-in site. |
| Group Camp | 1 Site – Accommodates up to 20 people | Primitive toilets and running water available. Tents only. Reserve Now –> |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Access | On the Mississippi River | — |
| Boat Docks | — | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Near Hiking Trail | Picnic tables and grills are available. The picnic area is near the river set among mature red and white pines. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | Kiosk at Park Entrance | There is not a staffed ranger station at this park. For information regarding Schoolcraft State Park, contact the Grand Rapids Area Office at 218-328-8984. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | Signs in Park | — |
| Firewood | Kiosk at Park Entrance | — |
| Public Phones | Kiosk at Park Entrance | Credit card access only phone located at self-registration station |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Directions
Take State Highway 6 to County Road 28 west (turns into 65 W), then north on County Road 74.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Scenic State ParkState Park, about 35 miles away in a straight line
- Savanna Portage State ParkState Park, about 42 miles away in a straight line
- McCarthy Beach State ParkState Park, about 48 miles away in a straight line
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 52 miles away in a straight line
- Lake Bemidji State ParkState Park, about 53 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In Iron Range & Voyageurs
- Lake Vermilion
- Voyageurs National Park
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- Franz Jevne State Park
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
- McCarthy Beach State Park
- Scenic State Park
- Events in Iron Range & Voyageurs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Schoolcraft State Park?
It is near Deer River, Minnesota. The DNR address is 9042 Schoolcraft Lane NE Deer River, MN 56636 Mailing address: Schoolcraft State Park C/O Grand Rapids Area Office 1201 East Highway 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
How much does it cost to visit Schoolcraft State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Schoolcraft State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.
Sources
- Schoolcraft State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.