Voyageurs National Park

Rainy Lake Visitor Center, off MN-11 east of International Falls · International Falls, MN

Why you should go…

Voyageurs covers about 218,000 acres of lakes and forest along the Canadian border, named for the French-Canadian fur traders who once paddled these waters. Most of the park is reached by water, so you boat, paddle or rent a houseboat across Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point lakes to boat-in campsites and the historic Kettle Falls Hotel. In winter the frozen lakes open to snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing, and it is a certified International Dark Sky Park.

#national park
#houseboating
#boat-in camping
#northern lights
#fishing

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

Weather calls the shots
Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.
Shoes, water, sun cover
The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.
Parking and launches fill early
On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.
Daylight shrinks in shoulder season
Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.