Voyageurs National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth and I say that without an ounce of hesitancy.
From kaleidoscopic sunrises and sunsets mirrored on glassy waters of its lakes to some of the most spectacular displays of the northern lights you’ll find anywhere on earth, Voyageurs is a true monument to the wonders of nature.
If you’re wondering how challenging it is to visit Voyageurs given that it’s almost exclusively accessible by boat – don’t!
The area has countless lodges and outfitters that will rent you any kind of boat you could want from a canoe on up to a houseboat at very reasonable prices.
The park is extensively mapped and easy to navigate once out on the waters. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on an unforgettable experience because you’re unfamiliar with boating.
Ready to learn more about this north woods paradise? Read on!
About My Travels to Voyageurs National Park
Making the Voyageurs Film
My brother Will and I first traveled to Voyageurs back in 2016 to capture the most beautiful parts of the park during peak fall color.
Originally we were slated to go at the end of September, but the fall color hadn’t set in so we diverted to Rocky Mountain National Park at the last minute where fall was nearing peak and produced that film.
We went to Voyageurs that October and timed it perfectly for peak fall color – and the northern lights! It was an absolutely magical experience and one I will certainly never forget.
Voyageurs is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been – hands down. Since then I’ve made it a point to return almost every year and explore new parts of the park on top of revisiting old favorites.
A Way of Life
Having grown up in Georgia I have to say I wasn’t too familiar with the sort of overnight canoe trips that are a favorite pastime for every northern Minnesotan – that is until I married one!
Sure I had canoed the Okefenokee Swamp and the Flint River growing up, but this is an entirely different kind of experience.
On successive yearly trips to Voyageurs and the Boundary Waters my wife has introduced me to the quiet world of canoeing these remote woods and lakes and I have never turned back.
There’s something very special about this vast and immensely beautiful area Sigurd Olson called the Singing Wilderness.
Traveling by canoe through the pristine mosaic of waters and islands that comprise this area puts one in touch with nature in a way that feels like coming home no matter where you’re from.
Voyageurs National Park Guide
About Voyageurs
In the far reaches of Northern Minnesota, straddling the Canadian border, you’ll find this watery wonderland almost exclusively accessible by boat.
Here, in the pristine waters of vast lakes and the mosaic of islands and boreal forest that comprise the park, you can truly get away from it all and listen to nothing but the sound of your canoe gliding in the tranquil water and the distant calls of loons.
Voyageurs Visitor Centers
The park has three visitors centers where you can grab a map and learn about the park.
The Rainy Lake Visitors Center in International Falls, the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center off of Highway 53 in Kabetogama, and the Ash River Visitors Center on the eastern end of Kabetogama Lake.
The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is open year round while the others close for the season at the end of September.
Things to Know Before You Visit Voyageurs
Entrance Fees
There are no entrance fees to Voyageurs National Park.
Cell Service
Cell Service is hit or miss throughout the park. The visitors centers have service and most places with roads do. Rainy Lake has some coverage, but as you go east on the other lakes coverage is rare.
Guide Book
Best Guide Book is this one which we used extensively on our visit.
Map
Map: The best map for Voyageurs is this one which we carried with us everywhere.
Dry Bags
Dry bags are an essential Voyageurs item keeping wallets, phones, etc nice and dry in a very wet park. We used / loved this dry bag.
Getting to Voyageurs
Getting to Voyageurs National Park is as easy as flying in to Minneapolis and renting a car from there. The park is 4 and a half hours from the MSP airport. You can also fly directly in to International Falls which is serviced by a few of the major domestic carriers. Once there you can rent a car and you’re already practically in the park.
Boat Rentals
The entire park is accessible only by boat! Rentals are easy and our Voyageurs National Park Guide provides a comprehensive guide to renting boats in the park.
Best Time to Visit
Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park is in the Fall. The bustle of summer fishing and house boating is long gone and the park’s shores and trails are ablaze with magnificent autumn reds, yellows, and oranges. Fall is a feast for the eyes at Voyageurs, but be quick as it’s also very short in this coldest area of the continental U.S.
Where to Stay
Visiting Voyageurs National Park? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on visiting Voyageurs National Park for tips. Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel for Voyaguers.
Details About Voyageurs National Park
Location: Northern Minnesota
Established: April 18, 1975
Size: 218,200 acres
Visitors: 232,974 (2020)
Entrance Fees: None!
The History of Voyageurs National Park
You cannot talk about the history of Voyageurs National Park without two names coming up, Sigurd Olson and Walter Mondale. One was a renowned naturalist and writer and the other a U.S. Senator from Minnesota who later became Vice President.
Walter Mondale & Voyageurs
Walter Mondale was a U.S. Senator from Minnesota and later Vice President to Jimmy Carter.
Throughout his life of service he was a tireless champion of conservation and is responsible for the protection of countless natural wonders that we enjoy today, including Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Fritz, as his friends called him, enjoyed canoeing the lakes and rivers of Minnesota and was instrumental in their protection.
He, along with fellow Senator Frank Church from Idaho, also championed the passage of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act which protected countless pristine rivers in their natural state throughout the United States.
Sigurd Olson & Voyageurs
Sigurd Olson is the man that put into words what makes this corner of the world so special and has served as an inspiration for many later environmentalists.
Over decades spent canoeing the Quetico-Superior Country (the area that encompasses Voyageurs and the Boundary Waters) Olson made a name writing about his travels and the immense beauty of the area. I’m the proud owner of several of his movingly poetic books.
Protecting the Area
Together, Olson and Mondale fought to protect the area from increasing pressure from mining and logging interests and ultimately succeeded in creating Voyageurs National Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and designating a number of Wild & Scenic Rivers. But the fight is still not over!
Save The Boundary Waters
Right now Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters face the threat of permanent despoilment from mining interests looking to exploit the area for metals located beneath the lakes and rivers, namely the Twin Metals Mine.
The late Senator Mondale spoke out against this mine and advocated for permanent protection for the area from extractive industries. You can do your part to help save this precious wild area by visiting or donating to Save The Boundary Waters here.
Voyageurs National Park Map
Where is Voyageurs National Park?
Voyageurs National Park is located in the Northernmost region of Minnesota, straddling the Canadian border.
The park is about 275 miles north of Minneapolis, about 4 and a half hours driving. Voyageurs National Park lies adjacent to Superior National Forest and the renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Getting to the Park – Directions & Location
There are a few ways to access the park from different directions.
Closest Airport: INL – Falls International Airport (International Falls, MN)
The fastest way to get to Voyageurs National Park is by flying into Falls International Airport in International Falls, which basically puts you at the park’s doorstep.
Flights into International Falls can be hard to come by and are typically on the spendier side with rental car options also being limited.
Of course the proximity can’t be beat as it’s just a few minutes drive from the airport to the nearest part of the park at Rainy Lake.
Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park
Getting to the park from Minneapolis requires a bit of a drive, but takes you through some scenic country.
I recommend renting a car from the airport and driving to International Falls (roughly 300 miles from the airport) where dining and lodging is easy to come by. The drive takes a little over 4 hours without traffic.
Duluth to Voyageurs National Park
Another option is flying into Duluth and making the 3 hour drive northwest to the park.
This route can sometimes make more sense depending on where you’re coming from and what airline you’re flying.
It’s uncommon that it’s less expensive than Minneapolis after the flight and rental car, but it’s worth looking into as it can make sense in some instances and offers an even more scenic drive.
Getting Around in Voyageurs National Park
Before you pack up the car and plan for another national park roadtrip be aware that Voyageurs National Park is almost entirely accessible only by water.
But fear not ye land lubbers! There are a multitude of easy ways to get your hands on a boat and explore this one-of-a-kind park.
The local area is filled with friendly outfitters, guides, and lodges that rent all kinds of boats and even offer guided tours.
Navigating the Lakes at Voyageurs
The park is primarily accessed via three large lakes (Namakan, Kabetogama, and Rainy). Each of the three main lakes in Voyageurs National Park can be accessed at various locations depending on what type of activity you’ll be doing.
The park does offer some hiking trails on the mainland that can be reached by car. These are mostly concentrated near the Ash River Visitor Center and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Before traveling make sure to familiarize yourself with how to safely navigate the lakes. The U.S. Coast Gaurd maintains a series of buoys marking safe routes through the park’s waters. You’ll want to head over to the park website to understand how to use the buoys for navigation. It’s actually very easy!
Once on the lakes in your chosen mode of transport you’ll need a map and the ability to read it properly, a GPS is always a plus too.
These are large lakes and offer more than a few opportunities to lose your bearings.
It’s a good idea to have a way to contact the mainland in the event of an emergency and keep in mind cell service is mostly non-existent once out on the water.
What If I love the parks, but I’m not familiar with boats?
Not to worry! Traveling by canoe is one of the oldest and safest modes of transportation there is and it’s lots of fun even for beginners. Plus it’s incredibly inexpensive. Did I mention it’s easy?
Renting and operating motorized boats is easy too! The lodge or resort from which you rent your boat will show you exactly how to safely operate it and ensure you’re feeling confident and comfortable behind the wheel.
Remember the locals here are truly “Minnesota Nice”.
If you’re renting a boat, typically your lodge or resort will give you a radio with which to contact them in the event you should need anything.
This could range from wanting to have fuel and/or food delivered to you or needing help getting unstuck from a tricky area.
Choosing The Right Boat To Rent
Canoeing at Voyageurs National Park
For a true northwoods experience like the voyageurs of old, there is no other choice than the canoe.
These venerable watercraft have been plying America’s waterways for the better part of the last two millennia and will bring you as close to the land surrounding you as one can get.
While a canoe is perfect for one or two people looking to have a true wilderness experience in Voyageurs National Park, it’s good to keep in mind that one can only paddle so far in a given amount of time and can only pack so much in a canoe.
Canoes can be rented from nearly any lodge or resort in the area and start as low as $30/day.
Small Fishing Boat at Voyageurs
Small vessels can vary, but typically involve aluminum, a pull-to-start outboard motor, and 3+ seats.
These boats are perfect for a day out on the lake fishing, but might not be so perfect for the average visitor or family looking to explore Voyageurs with little to no boating experience. These boats typically start at $90/day.
Larger Fishing Boats & Pontoons
These larger, more user-friendly fishing boats and pontoons allow for traveling greater distances with relative ease thanks to things like an electric start, a steering wheel, and throttle.
Pontoons have lots of storage space for all of your gear and offer comfortable seating for you and your companions. These boats typically start at $130/day.
Voyageurs Houseboats
Think RV’s of the water. These large vessels provide all the comforts of home and allow for large group accommodations.
Houseboats in Voyageurs National Park are perfect for large family outings or a get together with friends.
There are numerous houseboat rental companies throughout the borders of Voyageurs National Park offering access to each of the park’s three main lakes.
Voyageurs Guided Tours
When in doubt leave it to the experts!
The immediate area around the park is filled with outfitters and guides who know the parks massive lakes and tributaries like the backs of their hands and will be more than happy to show you some northwoods hospitality.
Whether you just want to be dropped off on an island campsite on Kabatogama Lake and picked up in a few days or plan a day trip (or multi-day trip) around the park’s many sights there are numerous guides that will be happy to make it happen.
Check out the park website for more information on local guide services.
Note: The park service also offers various boat tours depending on the season which can be found here.
Watch the Award-Winning Voyageurs National Park Video
This film is the culmination of several weeks spent in the northernmost region of Minnesota known as Voyageurs National Park.
Encompassing more than 340 square miles, Voyageurs is a watery wonderland almost exclusively accessible by boat.
Journey with us as we explore a land blanketed in pristine lakes, erupting with kaleidoscopic fall colors, and home to the most spectacular displays of the northern lights on the planet.
This is Voyageurs. Filmed primarily in stunning UHD 8K.
This film was made possible by the wonderful people at the Voyageurs National Park Association who work so hard to maintain the park for folks like us. Please check them out (and feel free to donate!): voyageurs.org
RELATED: Voyageurs National Park Camping
Weather & Seasons
Knowing when to visit Voyageurs National Park is perhaps the most important part of planning your trip to this one-of-a-kind destination. Each season brings it’s own unique opportunities and potential challenges.
Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park
The best time of year to visit Voyageurs National Park is September and October when the park displays it’s magnificent fall foliage. The busy fishing and tourist seasons are over and the park is serene and quiet, perfect for an unforgettable outdoor getaway.
Voyageurs National Park Seasons
Spring in Voyageurs National Park
Spring in Voyageurs sees melting snow turn to slush and the lakes beginning to thaw out. The park is slowly transitioning from winter’s icy grip into summer’s long days of boating, fishing, hiking, and campfires.
Spring will see few visitors to this area as most wait for summer’s warmer temperatures and increased opportunities to arrive.
The park will see lows in the 30’s during March and upper 40’s by June with highs between 51 – 74 degrees.
Summer in Voyageurs National Park
Summer in Voyageurs brings longer days of sunshine, pleasant weather, and lots of recreational opportunities.
Houseboats dot the lakes and campsites while fishermen cast their lines from small boats in their favorite spots. Canoeists and kayakers ply the waters, and bald eagles soar overhead.
Summer, unfortunately, also brings mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks in many areas where the vegetation is dense. Dress accordingly and use an effective repellent to have a fun and relatively bug-free adventure.
Fall in Voyageurs National Park
Fall is my favorite time to visit Voyageurs National Park as the bustle of summer fishing and houseboating is long gone and the park’s shores and trails are ablaze with magnificent autumn reds, yellows, and oranges.
This time of year you’ll find few visitors, but all of the opportunities of summer with the added benefit of no bugs and fabulous fall colors.
The waters of the park’s giant lakes are calm and quiet save for the occasional passing fisherman or loon call.
Sunrises and sunsets are reflected on the still waters of the lakes and the northern lights dance above by night. Fall is a feast for the eyes at Voyageurs, but be quick as it’s also very short in this coldest area of the continental U.S.
Winter in Voyageurs National Park
Winter is the dominant season here in the far north and therefore comes early and stays late. This coldest area of the continental U.S. sees temperatures routinely fall far below zero with a record low of -55° fahrenheit.
Factoring in wind chills brings those already subzero temperatures to new and mind-boggling lows.
While winter in Voyageurs is not for the faint of heart, with the proper winter gear and planning it can be a magical place.
The vast lakes freeze over and become highways for snowmobiles and cross-country skiers, as well as the park’s elusive yet thriving wolf packs.
Winter also brings ice-fishing, a favorite local pastime which sees what look like small sheds dotting the frozen lakes. These are actually ice houses where you can stay out of the cold while waiting for a bite.
Voyageurs in winter is a land of extremes and sees the park transformed with entirely new ways to explore and enjoy this one-of-a-kind destination.
Best Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park
Check out our article for a full list of the best things to do in Voyageurs National Park.
1. Paddle in a Canoe
The best and only way to experience Voyageurs is by boat, but for a truly authentic experience try your hand at canoeing for a day, or if you’re experienced, plan a multi-day trip.
Canoes are the historic mode of transportation in this area and slowly plying the waters of the park’s lakes in a canoe can help give you a fuller appreciation of this unique northwoods environment.
Keep scrolling for more detailed information on renting canoes.
“There is magic in the feel of a paddle and the movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure, solitude, and peace.”
Sigurd Olson
2. See the Northern Lights
On clear nights in Voyageurs you can see one of the most spectacular light shows in the world, the northern lights. They start as a faint glow on the horizon before working their way up the sky, dancing in real time right before your eyes.
Here in the remote north woods there is almost no light pollution whatsoever and the night sky is truly a wonder to behold.
There’s no need to go to Iceland or Norway or even Alaska if it’s the northern lights you seek, you’ll find them here in all of their glory.
Fall and winter give you your best chances of seeing the northern lights, but you may be lucky enough any time of year if the conditions are right.
3. Explore Ellsworth Rock Gardens
This incredibly unique garden features countless works of art made entirely out of stone. Some of the stones are massive monoliths balanced delicately upon other stones.
This incredible attraction is entirely the work of one man, a humble carpenter from Chicago named Jack Ellsworth, who built these amazing works of art over the course of 20 years starting in the 1940’s.
Tie off your boat here along the shores of Lake Kabetogama and explore the fascinating artistic expressions of one determined man.
4. Go Fishing
The waters of Voyageurs National Park and the surrounding areas are teeming with native fish that are great for eating or just for sport.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of catching your own meal and cooking it over an open fire on an island all to yourself.
Be sure to follow NPS and Minnesota DNR rules governing fishing in the area and fish responsibly.
5. Camp on Your Own Island
In Voyageurs there are no campgrounds with sites plotted next to each other one after the other with whirring RV generators, yelling kids, and barking dogs.
In this one-of-a-kind national park every campsite is all to itself, and yes, some are even on their own entire island. Did I mention there are over 150 campsites?
RELATED: Voyageurs National Park Camping
Where to Stay – Camping & Lodging in Voyageurs
Camping
Unlike almost any other national park, there are no campgrounds in Voyageurs National Park. Fear not though, as there are over 150 campsites and camping here is quite the experience. Allow me to explain below.
Voyageurs Camping: Voyageurs National Park Camping (Everything You Need to Know)
Solitude
Voyageurs National Park offers a unique and distinctly better front country camping experience than just about any other national park out there.
That is because in Voyageurs you will never see another camper. Every one of the park’s more than 150 campsites have been designed for total seclusion and privacy.
Many are on their own islands and the others are spread very far apart from each other.
Amenities
Each campsite is equipped with a dock, a fire ring, a picnic table, a site for your tent, a bear locker, and a pit toilet – everything you need for an amazing getaway.
(I once asked my wife why there are bear lockers even on these remote islands and she calmly told me, “they swim of course,” before recounting the times she had seen bears swimming in the park while growing up).
Fear not though, bear encounters are rare and easily avoided by storing your food properly.
Camping in Voyageurs National Park is bound to spoil camping for you anywhere else.
Few sites in other parks, outside of the remote backcountry, can rival the experience of docking your boat, pitching your tent, cooking your meal over an open fire, and listening to the calming sound of water gently lapping against the shoreline, only occasionally interrupted by the distant calls of loons.
Other Ways To Camp
Voyageurs also offers 15 more primitive “backcountry” campsites which are typically located within interior lakes.
Check out the park website for more information on these. Lastly, Woodenfrog Campground, part of Kabetogama State Forest, is located on the shores of Lake Kabetogama and offers one of the only drive-in campsites in the area.
Voyageurs National Park Lodging
Voyageurs is a large, spread out park with three main lakes, each of which have numerous lodges and resorts that provide excellent accommodations. We’ve listed many of the most popular ones below. For tent options see our camping section above.
- Kettle Falls Hotel (historic hotel in the heart of the park)
- Cantilever Hotel by Wyndham (Ranier)
- The Voyagaire Lodge (Crane Lake)
- Thunderbird Lodge (International Falls)
- Sha Sha Resort (International Falls)
- Arrowhead Lodge Resort (Lake Kabetogama)
- Sandy Point Lodge (Lake Kabetogama)
Favorite Local Restaurant in Voyageurs National Park
This is easy. My favorite restaurant and the best one in the area is The Coffee Landing in International Falls. Outstanding coffee, outstanding food.
Open for breakfast and lunch. If you’re looking for a nice spot to have dinner I recommend the Thunderbird Lodge for its spectacular views of Kabetogama Lake.
You also can’t go wrong with the recently built Cantilever Hotel which offers a great array of local offerings in a swanky spot.
Photo of Voyageurs National Park
Photos from the production of our Voyageurs Film.
Nearby Attractions
- Superior National Forest
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- Isle Royale National Park
- Chippewa National Forest
Summary | Leave Us a Comment!
That’s a wrap! Hopefully you feel like you’ve gleaned everything you need to know for your next trip to Voyageurs National Park. Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know if you have any questions or thoughts!
Hope to see you on the trails sometime soon!
More Helpful Articles
Voyageurs Camping: Voyageurs National Park Camping (Everything You Need to Know)
Minnesota National Parks: 6 EPIC Minnesota National Parks Worth Visiting (Guide + Photos)
Things to Do: 10 (INCREDIBLE) Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park
Why Listen to Us About Visiting Voyageurs National Park?
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. We’ve spent our entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues.
Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us national parks experts.
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
If you’d like to follow along our journey we’d be delighted to have you!
And a bonus! Tips for Visiting a National Park
Permit Systems and Reservations
Check to see if the national park you’re visiting has a permit or reservation system in place before visiting. As parks become increasingly crowded more has to be done to safeguard them which means controlling the hundreds of millions of people who visit these places each year.
Popular national parks with reservation systems of some kind include Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Arches, Acadia, Denali, and more.
Want Less Crowds? Try a National Forest!
Try visiting a national forest while you’re on your trip to avoid the crowds. There are 155 national forests in America, many of which are equally as beautiful as the national parks they neighbor and only see a fraction of the visitors.
For example, try the Flathead National Forest next to Glacier National Park, the Bridger-Teton next to Grand Teton, and the Dixie which borders nearly all of the Utah National Parks.
Practice Safety, Seriously
National parks are amazing but wild places so it is essential to practice basic safety while visiting them. Every year people die while vacationing in national parks. This is easily avoided by:
- Sticking to trails
- Checking the weather before going out on a hike
- Maintaining a safe distance between wildlife which means at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators
- Avoid ledges with steep drop offs
Well done. Thanks. Using your info. And love your passion. We will be out for 2.5 months east coast to Vancouver island and back experiencing what we all live and need.p!
Your video is beautiful! I can’t wait to go.
Thanks Leslie! Really appreciate the kind words. Let us know how the trip goes – Voyageurs is incredible 🙂
Cheers,
Will
Thanks for putting this together! Really helpful, and beautiful Under #1 thing to do, Canoes, you say to scroll down for more info on rental, but I can’t seem to find that. I’m wondering if you have advice on where to inexpensively and easily rent a canoe and go right into the water easily and into the park? Thanks!