In the spring, when the ice breaks, a variety of birds will follow the pattern all the way to the mouth where the river meets the majestic Lake of the Woods. Gushing whitewater at Manitou Rapids and Clementson Rapids are mesmerizing and yield a great photo opportunity. Each season brings a fresh round of activity. In the winter it holds ice fisherman in toasty houses. Spring heralds a fishing frenzy for pre-spawn walleyes near Franz Jevne State Park.
Summer brings a variety of water sports and wildlife.
The fall palette is especially vibrant as native deciduous trees reflect their coats of many colors. Entrenched in a rich history, the Rainy was once home to the Laurels, an ancient people that inhabited the area several thousand years ago. Their remains are protected by State law. The Grand Mound Interpretive Center, located 45 miles east of Baudette, offers self-guided tours and a museum housing artifacts. This sheltered river was part of the Voyageur's fur trading route that encompassed Lake Superior, Lake of the Woods, and Hudson Bay.