Island River Public Water Access Site provides a carry-down access point at Comfort Lake to the Island River Canoe Route, an 8-mile paddling route with maintained portages through remote Superior National Forest.

The site offers parking for 12 vehicles and a gravel ramp, though access requires a rough road with high-clearance four-wheel drive recommended, particularly due to potential storm damage from the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire.

Day-use permits are required when paddling into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness section of the route.