The Wonders of Voyageurs National Park - An Adventurer's Guide

Voyageurs National Park is a breathtaking jewel in the north woods of Minnesota. Located along the Canadian border just east of International Falls, Voyageurs is a dramatic jigsaw of lakes, islands, undeveloped shorelines, and waterways. 

For a destination with four major lakes and 26 small ones, it’s unsurprising that water fun is the major highlight of this park. Most people visiting Voyageurs National Park seek the best places for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and ferry rides.

Nevertheless, the park also packs a ton of land-based activities. Hiking, camping, biking, and wildlife viewing are all ways of experiencing Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. 

Did you know Voyageurs is also among the top national parks in the US for viewing northern lights? Basically, if you want to get away from it all, this floating oasis is the place for you. This guide is all about the best things to do in Voyageurs National Park, how to get there, and where to stay. 

Key Takeaways

• Voyageurs National Park is in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. The closest city to the park is International Falls, which is about 10 miles to the west. 
• Falls International Airport is the closest airport to Voyageurs National Park. 
• There are three visitor centers at Voyageurs National Park: Rainy Lake, Lake Kabetogama, and Ash River. Only Rainy Lake is open throughout the year. 
• The best time to visit Voyageurs National Park is in the Fall when the weather is still warm, the crowds have thinned, and the bugs are fewer. 

Visiting Voyageurs National Park

Where is Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs is a US national park located in northern Minnesota. The park shares its northern border with Canada and sits roughly 10 miles to the east of the city of International Falls. 

Established in 1975, Voyageurs measures 218,055 acres and boasts four major lakes (Kabetogama, Rainy, Sand Point, and Namakan), 26 smaller inland lakes, 655 miles of shoreline, over 15 hiking trails, and more than 500 islands. 

How to Get to Voyageurs National Park

The closest airport to fly into for Voyageurs National Park is Falls International Airport in the city of International Falls. Flying into this airport may be expensive. But it saves you plenty of time as it puts you 20-40 minutes from all three visitor centers at Voyageurs:

• Rainy Lake Visitor Center (20 minutes via MN-11 E)
• Lake Kabetogama Visitor Center (30 minutes via US-53 S)
• Ash River Visitor Center (40 minutes via US-53 S) 

Alternatively, you can fly into Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). This is the closest major international airport to Voyageurs National Park. But note that it’s almost 300 miles away or a five-hour drive through remote wilderness areas. 

The three visitor centers are the furthest you can get with a car when you visit Voyageurs National Park. From here, you’ll need to hike, take a guided tour boat or use your own boat, kayak, or canoe. Visitors can park their vehicles overnight at the three visitor centers for up to 14 days. 

Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park is open 24 hours throughout the year, and it has something to see, do, or experience regardless of when you visit. That said, there are better times to visit this park, depending on what you plan to do or experience. For instance, visitors hoping to take a guided ferry tour to historical landmarks in the park only have between mid-June and September. 

The best time to visit Voyageurs National Park for pleasant weather is summer, but it’s also the busiest time. With summer temperatures ranging from the high 40s to the high 70s, this park typically becomes a paradise for families, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and anglers.

The downside of the warmer weather is that the big flies are out. Functional women’s hiking clothing or men’s outdoor wear alongside bug spray and a bug net will go a long way to keep the biters off, though. 

If mosquitoes and black flies are your greatest worry, you’ll love visiting Voyageurs in the Fall. The period from mid-September through mid-October has far fewer bugs than July and August, and it may still be warm enough to enjoy the trails. Plus, schools have reopened, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant colors of Fall at your own pace. 

Voyageurs National Park Camping

Kettle Falls provides the only lodging option inside Voyageurs National Park. This historic hotel is simple and rustic, and you need a boat or a seaplane to get there.

During summer, the hotel ferries visitors from the Ash River Visitor Center on their own boat and drops them off at the exact location at the end of the visit. This arrangement is made upon booking with the hotel. But you’re also free to boat in or fly in. In the winter, the hotel is also accessible by snowmobile.

The area around Kabetogama Lake also offers a wide range of hotels, resorts, cabins, and rustic lodges on a beautiful peninsula. Some top options here include:

• Sandy Point Lodge and Resort
• Birchwood Resort
• Park Point Resort
• Northern Lights Resort and Outfitting
• The Pines of Kabetogama

If you’re seeking an actual Minnesota wilderness experience, get your camping checklist in order and choose from this park’s 270 campsites, houseboat sites, and 33 day-use sites. 

All frontcountry campsites are located on the four major lakes of the park. They are only accessible by watercraft and are dog-friendly. These campgrounds comprise small campsites for 1-9 people, large campsites for up to 18 people, and group sites for 16-30 visitors.

Top Frontcountry Campgrounds in Voyageurs National Park

• Wooden Frog Campground
• Ash River Campground
• Rainy Lake Group Campsite
• Kabetogama Lake Group Campsite
• Bald Rock

Backcountry sites are located in the Kabetogama area and allow walk-ins for same-day use. Accessing these sites requires a boat ride followed by hiking. Pets are not permitted on backcountry campsites. 

Houseboat sites permit a houseboat, sailboat, or cabin cruiser. These are located on the four main lakes of the park, and a reservation is necessary.

There are over 80 houseboat sites in Voyageurs National Park, as follows:

• Kabetogama Lake- 20 sites
• Rainy Lake- 33 sites
• Namakan Lake- 20 sites
• Sand Point Lake- 6 

Voyageurs National Park Itinerary 

Here’s how to make the most of a one-day visit to Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. 

Explore the Rainy Lake Visitor Center (1 Hour)

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is located in the northwest corner of the park on the shore of Black Bay. This is the largest of the three visitor centers in the park and the one with the most to offer. 

This Voyageurs National Park Visitor Center has several displays, including a large moose and information about the history and culture of the Ojibwe people (indigenous Americans of the northeastern woods).

Just a short walk from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center is a dock that serves as the starting point for boat tours. 

Do the Grand Tour of Rainy Lake (2.5 hours)

The Grand Tour is one of the best things to do if you’re visiting Voyageurs National Park between mid-June and September. The tour departs from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and takes you to Little America Island. At the island, you’ll make a 20-minute stop and take a quarter-mile walk as the ranger narrates the island’s history and historic mining activities. 

Next, you’ll continue exploring Rainy Lake in search of loons, the majestic bald eagles, snakes, and other wildlife. You’ll also pass by the Harry Oveson historic commercial fishing camp from the 1980s. 

Note that you need to make reservations for this tour in advance. Rainy Lake Grand Tour charges are $50 (adults), $25 (children 3-16 years), and $5 (kids two years and under). 

Enjoy a Scenic Drive to Ash River Visitor Center (2 Hours)

The Ash River Visitor Center is located in a historic cabin on the southeastern shores of Kabetogama Lake. The drive from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center takes roughly one hour via MN-11, US Highway 53, and Ash River Trail.

Add another hour for the time you’ll spend at the three scenic overlooks along the Ash River Trail:

• Voyageurs Forest Overlook
• Beaver Pond Overlook
• Kabetogama Lake Overlook

Although small and seasonal (opens only during summer), the Ash River Visitor Center has quite a lot that makes it a must-visit. Take a moment to explore the exhibits, watch a film, chat with the rangers, and browse the merchandise and souvenirs for sale. 

Voyage to Kettle Falls Hotel (5.5 Hours)

Another reason to visit the Ash River Visitor Center is that it’s the starting point for historic Kettle Falls Hotel tours. Opened in 1913, this Jewel in the Forest is unique for being accessible only by boat. 

Even if you don’t plan to spend the night, this Jewel in the Forest is worth stopping by for refreshments and relaxation. The hotel has 12 rooms, a restaurant, and a saloon that mainly serves “the Pinky”- a high-octane lemonade drink.

Plan to spend two hours on the journey to the hotel, two hours exploring the hotel area, and 1.5 hours on the return journey. 

Best Things to Do and See in Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park Things to Do

Go Boating, Paddling, or Kayaking

There’s nothing like gliding in the clear water of the four main lakes while visiting Voyageurs National Park. Bring your boat, kayak, or canoe or rent one on-site and explore hidden coves, scenic waterways, and waterfalls all day! 

Camping 

How do you fancy boating to an island and camping there alone? That’s one of the perks of camping at Voyageurs National Park. Voyageurs National Park camping reservations are required for all sites and can be made online. 

Hiking

One of the best ways to experience the wonders of Voyageurs National Park is on foot. The park boasts plenty of hiking routes for hikers and backpackers of all levels. 

Some of the best hikes in Voyageurs National Park include:

• Oberholtzer Trail (1.7 miles, loop)
• Beaver Pond Overlook Trail (0.4 miles, out and back)
• Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail (0.4 miles, out and back)
• Blind Ash Bay Trail (3 miles, out and back)

Fishing

If you’re looking for some of the best places for fishing in the Midwest, this is it. All four main lakes in the park have a respectable walleye, smallmouth, and North Pike population, as well as sauger, jumbo perch, and crappie.

Must-See Places to Visit in Voyageurs National Park

Ellsworth Rock Garden

You can’t list what to do in Voyageurs National Park and fail to include a visit to Ellsworth Rock Garden. Also known as the Showplace of Lake Kabetogama, this garden comprises over 200 natural rock statues created by Jack Ellsworth, a self-taught artist. 

Grassy Bay Cliffs

Another Voyageurs National Park thing to do is take a boat ride to Grassy Bay Cliffs. These granite cliffs rise 125 feet above the water surface of Sand Point Lake. They are accessible only by a boat in summer and a snowmobile during winter. 

Wildlife at Gold Portage

Voyageurs National Park is home to countless species of birds, 53 fish species, 42 species of mammals, and reptile and amphibian species. Gold Portage is one of the best places to spot most wildlife, particularly moose, black bears, beavers, and gray wolves. 

Final Thoughts

Like its neighbor, Isle Royale National Park, Voyageurs National Park requires a bit more planning to get to. But if you’re looking for wild and nearly untouched US national parks with lots of things to do for couples, groups, or families, pack your bags and head to International Falls, Minnesota!

Featured image by: Patrick.