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Have you heard of Voyageurs National Park? If not, you’re not alone. It’s one of the least-visited national parks in the country. But that doesn’t mean it’s without merit. Today, we’re sharing about this stunning park and what you can do when you visit. While it may not be the most famous, Voyageurs National Park is certainly worth visiting!
Pro Tip: Check out Where You Can See the Northern Lights in the U.S. as our summer continues to wow us with stunning light shows!
Where Is Voyageurs National Park?
Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota along the Canadian border. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is on the shore of Black Bay, 11 miles east on Highway 11 from International Falls. The Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center is 25 miles south of International Falls, just off Highway 53. The third visitor center at Ash River is 28 miles south of International Falls, 11 miles off Highway 53.
While you can access all three visitor centers by car, you’ll need to board a boat to access the rest of the park. Voyageurs National Park is between Rainy Lake to the north and Kabetogama Lake to the south.
When Did Voyageurs National Park Become a National Park?
Voyageurs National Park gets its name from the French word “voyageur,” which means traveler. These waterways were critical to the fur trade route. But these waters and lands have been inhabited for 10,000 years. You’ll find artifacts from Native Americans, fur traders, homesteaders, and the logging, mining, and commercial fishing industries.
In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed federal legislation establishing the national park. But it wasn’t until 1975 that Voyageurs National Park was created. It protects four lakes near the Canada-U.S. border and preserves the history of the Ojibwe Native Americans, French fur traders, and gold miners. It’s also a place of water recreation with excellent kayaking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities.
What’s So Special About Voyageurs National Park?
With only about 221,000 visitors in 2022, Voyageurs National Park is one of America’s best-kept secrets. It protects a rich, unique cultural history shaped by the remote, rugged landscape and waterways. Voyageurs National Park manages 16 historic properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Some locations within the park, including the visitor centers, are only open seasonally as Minnesota experiences long, harsh winters. However, visitors to this national park are welcome to enjoy snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing during the off-season.
Once shaped by glaciers, the landscape here includes exposed rock ridges, cliffs, wetlands, forests, streams, and lakes. The 218,000 acres are home to various wildlife like otters, bald eagles, wolves, moose, prehistoric sturgeons, and turtles. With no entrance fee, Voyageurs National Park offers visitors access to an adventure wonderland and wildlife refuge at no cost.
3 Most Popular Attractions in Voyageurs National Park
If you don’t plan to paddle, you’ll be limited in what you can see, do, and experience at Voyageurs National Park. We’ve attempted to include three activities that suit most travelers so that if you cannot kayak or canoe, you can still make the most of your visit.
1. Visit the Ellsworth Rock Gardens
Whether or not you consider yourself an art lover, you’ll appreciate the beauty at the Ellsworth Rock Gardens. The creator, Jack Ellsworth, constructed 62 terraced flower beds filled with more than 13,000 lilies and other flowers. He accented the garden with over 200 abstract rock sculptures. It’s a must-see on your visit to Voyageurs National Park.
2. Enjoy A Meal At Kettle Falls
The Kettle Falls Hotel has welcomed guests since 1913. The restaurant offers full sit-down meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also visit the famous Tiltin’ Hilton, a saloon famous for its sloping floor. Kettle Falls is on the eastern side of the Kabetogama Peninsula, about 15 miles from the nearest road. You can only access it by watercraft.
3. Book A Boat Tour
The Discovery Cruise at Voyageurs National Park runs from mid-June through September. It’s a 2-hour excursion that starts at the Rainy Day Visitor Center. Dozens of commercial services offer local guides, rental crafts, water taxis, and more. Whether you want to hire a fishing guide or rent a paddleboard, you’ll find the perfect outing to make the most of your visit to this Minnesota park.
One of the most exciting opportunities at Voyageurs National Park is viewing the Northern Lights. Because of its remote location, there’s minimal light pollution, making Voyageurs one of the best places in the continental U.S. to view this natural phenomenon. Fall and winter offer the best opportunities to view the Northern Lights.
The park hosts star parties at various locations on specific days. We suggest dressing in layers and bringing a rain jacket, blanket or chair, and bug spray. Even if you don’t see the lights due to the weather, you’ll learn plenty of science from the park rangers.
Best Place for Camping in Voyageurs National Park
Inside the park, there are only primitive camping sites. Campers can access 137 campsites along the lakes via watercraft only. Two hike-in campsites along the Kab-Ash Trail don’t require a boat.
If you want a campsite you can drive to with a vehicle or RV, check out Pine Aire Resort overlooking Lake Kabetogama. There are full hookup campsites for $45 per night. Woodenfrog Campground in Kabetogama State Forest doesn’t offer hookups but provides a fire ring, picnic table, toilet access, and seasonal drinking water for $17 per night.
Pro Tip: Thinking of driving up to Canada after visiting Voyageurs? Be sure to read What you Need to Cross the Canadian Border in an RV before making the trek!
Is Visiting Voyageurs National Park Worth It?
Voyageurs National Park is one of the least-visited national parks in the country because of its remote location. Like Dry Tortugas in Florida and Isle Royale in Michigan, Voyageurs is a water-based national park. While most people visit during the summer to enjoy more pleasant conditions, winter travelers have a better chance to see the Northern Lights and the opportunity to view a majestic winter wonderland.
Whatever season you choose to visit, don’t skip out on a trip to northern Minnesota to explore the natural beauty and rich history of Voyageurs National Park!
