Shop TheCanoeist for canoe paddles, camping gear, canoe accessories and outdoor gifts

About Us

Then and Now
It started in the fall of 2008. Mike Keller stepped into an old house in the middle of Two Harbors, MN, and said, "This will do". So they tore down some walls and threw some paint on the ones that were standing. They asked a friend to cut up some local pine for shelving. By May of 2009, the doors opened to this new store in town called The Canoeist. From the outside, it appeared to be somebody living in an old home who liked canoeing (obvious from the canoes stacked up outside).

In the fall of 2011, Mike, Erin & Jimmie moved to Manitoba Canada to be an outdoor instructor at a camp on north end of Lake Winnipeg. Mike cannot be replaced...his contribution and hard work will be missed. We hope Mike can chime in on occasion with tips, experiences from Canada. Now The Canoeist is being run by a long-time canoeist Michael Johnson.

The Canoeist Store
Once you walked inside, though, you found a store that catered to the canoeing type: canoes, canoeing and camping gear and outdoors gifts in the summer time, with the addition of snowshoes in the winter.

Due to the convenient location before heading up north to Ely, Grand Marais, or somewhere in between, people also took quickly to renting gear from The Canoeist. They rented a canoe and pack, and picked up their permit for the Boundary Waters. Or they tried a canoe trip on the Cloquet River and rented a filter for their hike on the Superior Hiking Trail. In the winter, Snowtrekker tents and wood stoves were rented out, pulled on toboggans loaded with sleeping bags, an auger, and other gear that they picked up at a little shop in Two Harbors.

But it wasn't long before people from around the world realized that they could take advantage of such a unique, little store by visiting The Canoeist.com. People come from all over the world stop by The Canoeist. Check out The Canoeist on Facebook. Share your experiences, photos, see what others are saying. Use the Blog on our web site. Gain information on snow conditions, BWCAW fishing reports, great up to date knowledge that The Canoeist is sharing. The Canoeist also has a YouTube, Twitter & Google + presence....so enjoy being a part of this great "community"

When you make a phone call or stop by the shop, these are the people you're likely to meet.

General Manager, Michael Johnson

If you stop by the shop, there's a good chance that you'll meet Michael Johnson. Michael, is the General Manager of The Canoeist and he brings 40+ years of canoeing, fishing the BWCAW. Michael grew up living in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He fished the area lakes & streams almost everyday. His father Herb Johnson, was Area Fisheries DNR manager for Grand Marais fisheries station and lastly was regional northern Minnesota DNR Fisheries manager at French River Hatchery. Michael learned the management of northern Minnesota's fish resource from his father. This eventually translated into a television program that Michael was Host and co-producer in the 1980's called Northland Outdoor Journal. This program was viewed in 7 states and over 20 stations. It featured the people of the northland and the beauty and creation of what the northland has to offer.

Michael also has become a winter camping and highly experienced outdoor wilderness enthusiast where he is more than willing to share those experiences and teach others.

The Canoeist Community
Bring up your last canoe trip, the big fish you caught, or just bring your dog in the shop and it won't be as quick of a stop as you thought it would. The Canoeist wants to be a "community" where people are always welcome to come and share their experiences and promote what the Northland has. Additional The Canoeist is exploring a "coop" concept so people can feel connected, have ownership, and committed dedication to furthering education, experiences to today's youth in Two Harbors and surrounding area. The Canoeist believes that we have the BEST opportunity to provide today's' young people a window into God's creation and learn it, appreciate it, experience it, and take care of it and then gain life change and moral excellence.