Boating, Fishing, and Sightseeing at Voyageurs National Park

Remote, water-based Voyageurs National Park was established in 1975 to encourage the exploration of its lakes and waterways by canoe and kayak. The park encompasses four large lakes, over twenty smaller interior bodies of water, and only a few roads. A majority of visitors come during the peak summer months and participate in ranger-led programs and narrated boat excursions. There are dozens of unique commercial tours available from authorized concessionaires, with options for everyone. Thankfully, the beautiful lakes and diverse wildlife continue to be the main attraction.

Things to Do

• Park the car and join a narrated boat tour to learn more about the park and see the beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife. Ranger-led tours leave the Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Visitor Centers throughout the summer and into the fall (June to September). This is easily the most popular activity in the park for day guests, so advanced reservations are highly recommended.
• Experience the park and miles of waterways while staying in a modern houseboat provided by one of the many rental companies located in the area. With a moving home base, enjoy water activities, see wildlife, and just relax while casually drifting across the scenic lakes. (Houseboat permit required)
• Take a fishing excursion with an experienced guide and spend the day casting around the best fishing holes in the area. Fishing enthusiasts travel thousands of miles for the chance to catch prized walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass, to name just a few. (Minnesota fishing license required)
• If you weren’t able to book a room at Kettle Falls Hotel (the only lodging in the park), board a sightseeing tour that stops at the property for lunch and also visits some of the amazing points of interests, including the secluded Ellsworth Rock Garden. Water shuttles to the hotel, located on the eastern side of the Kabetogama Peninsula, leave from the Ash River Visitor Center— you are able to walk around the historic property without a tour.
• The park was originally designated for canoeists, with a majority of the points of interest only accessible by boat. The three visitor centers, many hiking trails, and scenic overlooks are accessible by car.
• The remoteness of the national park and lack of light pollution create the perfect conditions for stargazing. With only the naked eye, thousands of stars can be seen across the dark skies.
• Winter sports are popular in the park during the offseason— enthusiasts are attracted to the remote area for cross-country skiing, ice fishing, lake driving, and snowshoeing. There are designated snowmobiling trails in the park, including Chain of Lakes Scenic Trail on the Kabetogama Peninsula.
• Northern Minnesota is famous for having thousands of lakes and is an extremely popular Midwest vacation destination. Spend a few days in the many small towns and villages in the area— the 191-mile Dancing Sky Scenic Byway travels from International Falls to the North Dakota border and is a great way to experience the travel region.

Wildlife Observation

The Boreal Forests around the stunning lakes are home to diverse species of birds and mammals. It’s no surprise that the lakes, marshes, and wetlands create the perfect habitat for amphibians to survive. The shorelines are the best places to spot larger mammals, including moose, white-tailed deer, fox, coyotes, and racoon. During the early morning and evenings, keep a watch for beavers and otters cruising through the shallows. Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in the park— many of which, like ducks, loons, and gulls, are visible on the water. You probably won’t see any of the wolves in the area, but you might hear members of the two packs howling during quiet nights.