Lakes and the Mississippi River shape life in Cohasset
Nearly a quarter of Cohasset is made up of water, with several lakes surrounding and connected to the Mississippi River. From swimming and kayaking in the summer to ice fishing and hockey in the winter, locals stay active all year long. “The area has a lot of people who like the outdoors,” says Joseph Tome, a Realtor with Grand Properties Real Estate, who lived next to Cohasset in Grand Rapids for five years. Though Cohasset has a few stores and restaurants of its own, locals will typically drive a few minutes to Grand Rapids to shop and dine out. They’ll also head there to attend annual events, so the two cities feel more like one community. “Grand Rapids and Cohasset are one and the same,” Tome says. “They are kind of tied at the hip.”
Outdoor fun shifts with the seasons, from kayaking to ice fishing
Locals take advantage of Cohasset’s parks, lakes and the Mississippi River. The 6,700-acre Pokegama Lake is the largest in the area. It’s home to Tioga Beach, where locals go to swim, launch a kayak or play on the sandy playground. Down the street from the beach is the Tioga Recreation Area, which features a water-filled former mine pit that locals swim and kayak in, as well as a mountain bike trail. Portage Park has several soccer and baseball fields used by local leagues. During winter, the park’s ice rink and warming house are open to the public, and when the lakes freeze over, locals head out to go ice fishing.
Homes on and off the water with wooded lots
Waterfront homes come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Small houses along the river and lakes sell for around $250,000 to $325,000, while larger waterfronts with acres of land range from $500,000 to over $1 million. Many of these properties are in densely wooded areas. Mature trees also surround houses off the water. This includes ranch-style homes from the 1950s to ‘90s, which range from $135,000 to $350,000. Ranch-style homes built from the early 2000s sell for around $400,000 to $600,000. Cohasset also has some manufactured homes, but they don’t sell often. In recent years, one sold for $65,000.
On average, homes stay on the market for 48 days, close to the national average of 53 days. Cohasset has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Competitive hockey program at Grand Rapids High School
Students may attend Cohasset Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Robert J. Elkington Middle School and Grand Rapids High School, both of which receive B-plus grades. The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks boys hockey team placed third in the state tournament in 2024 and won the state championship in 2017. “It’s a big high school hockey town,” Tome says. “Kids will skate year-round on ice to keep in shape for hockey season. They take it pretty seriously up here in northern Minnesota.”
A few stores and restaurants, more in Grand Rapids
U.S. Route 2 is lined with many industrial shops, along with a few stores and restaurants. Florio’s Grill and Tavern serves American comfort food and is known for its Friday fish fry. Locals can also grab a slice of pizza and drinks at Bear Ridge Pizza + Pours. For basic shopping needs, there’s Dollar General and Casey’s convenience store. Locals can also shop for fresh produce at Cohasset’s farmers market. It moves indoors at the City Hall’s community center during winter. For more shopping options, Grand Rapids’ big-box retailers, including Walmart, Target and Aldi, are less than 10 miles away.
Music festivals and holiday celebrations in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids hosts several annual events that Cohasset locals attend. Every September, the community gathers for Grand Rapids Riverfest, a celebration that features food from local restaurants and live music by the Mississippi River. The city also hosts a Fourth of July parade, which is followed by fireworks over Pokegama Lake. Grand Rapids kicks off the holiday season with the annual Santa Parade, which has free cookies and hot chocolate, an area for kids to write letters to Santa and a tree lighting ceremony.
Quick drive to Grand Rapids and 90 minutes to Duluth
Locals typically take U.S. Route 2 to drive to Grand Rapids. Commuting to the neighboring city takes about five to 15 minutes, depending on the starting point. While this is primarily a car-dependent community, locals can schedule bus rides around Cohasset, Grand Rapids and other parts of Itasca County through Arrowhead Transit. For longer trips, Duluth International Airport is about 80 miles away, which is about a 90-minute drive.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
