The Temperance River originates at Brule Lake in northeastern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, flowing south for 39.2 miles before emptying into Lake Superior. This dramatic North Shore river carves through ancient bedrock, creating a series of impressive gorges and waterfalls as it descends over 800 feet in elevation. Paddling opportunities range from flatwater canoeing in the upper reaches to challenging whitewater in the lower gorge.

The upper section from Brule Lake to Baker Lake offers scenic wilderness paddling suitable for intermediate canoeists, with some portaging required around rapids. The middle section features a narrow gorge with class II-III rapids, best suited for advanced whitewater kayakers. The lower 8.5-mile stretch from Forest Road 166 to Temperance River State Park provides the most accessible whitewater, with class II-III rapids and potential class IV features at high water. Spring snowmelt typically offers the best whitewater conditions, while summer levels are more suitable for beginner/intermediate paddlers.

The river is lined with boreal forest, providing habitat for moose, black bears, and wolves. Bald eagles and ospreys are frequently sighted. Key landmarks include Hidden Falls and Upper Falls in the dramatic gorge section. Temperance River State Park, located where the river meets Lake Superior, offers camping, hiking trails, and stunning views of the river's final plunge into the lake.

Primary access points are at Brule Lake, Baker Lake, Forest Road 166, and Temperance River State Park. The nearby town of Tofte provides services and outfitters. The river's name comes from the lack of a sandbar at its mouth, unusual among North Shore streams. It was an important transportation route for the Ojibwe people and later for fur traders and loggers.

Paddlers should be aware of cold water conditions year-round and the potential for dangerous hydraulics in the gorge sections. Permits are required for overnight trips in the Boundary Waters portion. Multi-day canoe trips are possible by combining the Temperance with connecting lakes and portage routes in a loop, allowing paddlers to experience both the river's scenic upper reaches and the rugged North Shore landscape.