There are several stories on how this location came to be known as Coffee Pot Landing. One story is that there was a lumber camp nearby, and the camp cooks set up the coffee pots in this location while the virgin timber was being harvested. Another story is that a local elderly couple kept a warm pot of coffee going all the time for those camping overnight or just passing bye in canoes.

For nearly two decades, local snowmobile clubs would install a temporary bridge here each winter. The reason is the relatively fast running water and fresh water springs make the river ice unpredictable. The State of Minnesota DNR installed this permanent bridge in 1985.

The river is less than 20 feet across in this area, and about 20 inches deep under the bridge. It is running northeast towards Bemidji, falling about four feet every mile. While I have listed this bridge as being in Clearwater County, there is apparently some debate over that fact. The bridge appears right on the county line in most maps. It might take a formal survey to determine whether it is in Clearwater County or Hubbard County.

The photo above is looking northwest under the bridge structure as seen from the river level. The photo below is a view from the southwest corner of the structure.

The photo above is a view looking across the bridge and to the north. The photo below is a view looking downriver to the east from the bridge. The water is shallow and clear enough to see fish swimming in the stream.