Voyageurs National Park – Camping, Things to Do & Best Tips

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 06/15/2023 Minnesota, National Parks, Tips for Trips

Voyageurs is a national park in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. The name honors the Voyageurs, French-Canadian fur traders who were the first Europeans to frequently traverse the area. Today’s visitors can marvel at the park’s ancient cliffs and coniferous forests, linked by extensive waterways. The park includes either all or parts of four lakes: Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, and Sand Point Lake.

Information about Voyageurs National Park

The establishment of Voyageurs National Park was complex. Initial attempts were made as far back as April 1891, but due to various setbacks, the bill authorizing the park’s creation wasn’t signed by President Nixon until January 8, 1971. The actual inception of Voyageurs National Park happened on April 8, 1975. The entire park covers 341 mi² and welcomed 243,042 visitors in 2021.

The park’s name comes from the fur traders who navigated between the USA and Canada in canoes carved from birch trees until the mid-19th century. These waterways were extensively used to trade with Native Americans, hence the moniker Voyageurs Highway.

The park’s taiga is home to 240 bird species, with visitors most likely to spot an eagle or a songbird. Mammals in the park include beavers, wolves, elk, black bears, deer, foxes, and otters.

More than 50 species of trees and shrubs, over 40 different mosses and lichens, over 200 types of grasses, and 400 varieties of wildflowers flourish in the park. The majority of the forest consists of white and red pines, spruces, birches, firs, and red maples.

What to See and Do in Voyageurs National Park

Those keen on exploring the park can pay for a boat tour, which can range from one and a half to six and a half hours in duration.

Kettle Falls Cruise

This ultimate 6.5-hour trip includes a two-hour cruise on Rainy Lake to Kettle Falls Dam and Falls. The price per adult is $60, and you can book the experience online.

Grand Tour

This tour of Rainy Lake introduces you to the magnificent beauty of the national park in two and a half hours. The price per person is $50.

Gold Mine Tour

This cruise includes a tour of the Bushyhead Mine, where a significant gold rush took place in the late 19th century. The price per adult is $40, and you can book the experience online.

Hoist Bay Tour and Eagle Watch

This sightseeing cruise is designed for nature enthusiasts – during the cruise on Namakan Lake, the entire crew will be on the lookout for eagle nesting sites.

Ellsworth Rock Gardens Tour and Eagle Watch

This experience combines eagle nesting site watching with a cruise on Kabetogama Lake. To book this experience, visit Recreation.gov. Credit cards are accepted, and anyone aged 17 or older is considered an adult.

You can navigate the local lakes independently, ideally in a canoe or kayak. However, you’ll need to bring your own as there are no rentals available onsite.

For hiking enthusiasts, there are several trails, the most challenging being a 28 mi network. In winter, these trails can be traversed on cross-country skis or snowshoes.

When to Visit Voyageurs National Park

The national park itself is open year-round, however the visitor centers at Ash River and Kabetogama Lake are closed during winter. The best time to visit is in September, when temperatures are still within a comfortable range and there are fewer mosquitoes.

Northern Minnesota experiences four seasons. Between June and August, temperatures typically range from 50°F to 77°F, with June being the rainiest month. These months are suitable for boating, fishing, and hiking.

Winter temperatures are almost always below freezing, even when it’s relatively warm by local standards. January is the coldest month, with temperatures plunging to -13°F. The first snow in Voyageurs National Park typically arrives at the end of October and lasts until the end of April or beginning of May. The park receives a total of 140 cm–180 cm of snow annually.

• Current weather forecast for Voyageurs National Park

Average Temperatures and Visitor Numbers in Voyageurs National Park

Average temperatures in Voyageurs National Park. Visitor numbers are based on the 2017-2021 average, data source is the National Parks Administration.

Admission to Voyageurs National Park

Entry into Voyageurs National Park is free for all visitors throughout the year.

How to Get to Voyageurs National Park

The most convenient way to reach the park is by car. Voyageurs is easily accessible from both the USA and Canadian sides. An alternative is to travel by boat, which enhances the experience, though it is more costly and requires arranging a boat. There are no bus or train services to the park.

Driving times and routes from nearby towns:

Using a boat is the best way to navigate the park, as only the visitor centers are accessible by car. Shorter distances can be covered on foot, or in winter, on snowshoes.

Lodging in Voyageurs National Park

🏨 Hotels

The closest hotel or motel to the park is situated on the border in the town of International Falls (on the American side) or Fort Frances (Canadian side). Among the more affordable motels in International Falls, The Nomad Hotel (from $95 per room per night) is the most budget-friendly.

• Compare Lodging in International Falls
• Compare Lodging in Fort Frances

⛺ Campsites

There are two campgrounds in the national park – King Williams Narrows Campground and Mukooda Lake Campground. Combined, they offer 270 campsites, but unfortunately, these are not accessible by car and can only be reached by boat. During the high season from May 15 to October 15, depending on the type of spot chosen, a fee of $22.00 to $32 per night is charged. Outside the high season, the fee is $10.00 per night.

Tips Before Travelling to Voyageurs National Park

ℹ️ Visitor Center

I recommend starting your tour of the national park by visiting one of the visitor centers. There are three in Voyageurs:

• Rainy Lake Visitor Center
  This year-round visitor center is located on the shores of Black Bay. Its operational hours vary in the winter and summer seasons, so please check before you visit. At the center, you can view exhibits detailing the history of the area, watch a film about the park, or purchase a souvenir.
• Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
  This center accessible from Route 53 is open only during the summer season, offering services similar to those of the previous one.
• Ash River Visitor Center
  This third visitor center, located near County Road 129, is also closed from late September to late May.

👍 Good to Know

In addition to the recommended water and food supplies, bring mosquito spray to the park. Especially in the summer months, mosquitoes can hamper the enjoyment of your visit.

Before you leave, download free maps from the park service onto your phone; they will be helpful.

• Official Voyageurs National Park website
• Voyageurs National Park Map

Photos of Voyageurs National Park