Arden Island (R4) is a boat-in tent campsite on a small Rainy Lake island in Voyageurs National Park.
Arden Island is a boat-in campsite — site R4 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park. The small island site is reached only by water; a floating dock serves as the boat landing, and a brown Park Service marker, a picnic table, and a bear-proof food locker sit in the clearing above the rock.
Like the park’s other small frontcountry campsites, it holds up to nine people and comes with tent pads, a fire ring, a picnic table, bear-proof food lockers, and a vault privy. Campfires and pets are allowed. An overnight stay requires a reservation and printed permit... Read more
Cranberry Bay (R48) is a designated houseboat mooring site on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
Cranberry Bay is a designated houseboat site — site R48 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, marked by a brown Park Service post on a low bedrock point with a metal fire ring on the rock. The Park Service’s own waypoint list records it as an R48 houseboat site, and mooring posts or rings secure boats to the shore.
Voyageurs is one of the few national parks that welcomes houseboats, and its designated houseboat sites offer a beach or rock landing, a fire ring, and moorings. Overnight houseboat stays run May 1 through October 31 and require a... Read more
Alder Creek (R1) is a boat-in tent campsite on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, 7.6 miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Alder Creek is a boat-in campsite — site R1 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, about 7.6 miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. It is a small, watercraft-only site for up to nine people on the lake’s bedrock shore.
The site is equipped with two tent pads, a picnic table, a fire ring, two bear-proof food lockers, and an outdoor vault privy. Campfires and pets are allowed; check-in is 3:00 p.m. and check-out is noon. As at all of the park’s frontcountry campsites, an overnight stay requires a reservation and printed permit through Recreation.gov.
Jack Pine Bench (R55) is a boat-in tent campsite on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, eight miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Jack Pine Bench is a boat-in campsite — site R55 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, about eight miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. The site has rock access to the water and a brown Park Service marker reading ‘Jack Pine Bench R55’ on the lichen-covered bedrock.
It is a small site for up to nine people, with two 14-foot tent pads, two bear-proof food lockers, a picnic table, a metal fire ring with a cooking grate, and an outdoor vault privy. Campfires and pets are allowed. Every frontcountry site in the park is boat-in... Read more
Dove Bay West (R111) is a boat-in tent campsite on the wooded shore of Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
Dove Bay West is a boat-in campsite — site R111 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park. It is a small, watercraft-only site for one to nine people, set on the lake’s wooded shore with a seasonal floating dock that is in place through the summer (it may be off before June 1 or after October 1).
The site is equipped with two 14-foot tent pads, two bear-proof food lockers, a picnic table, a fire ring, and a vault privy. Campfires and pets are permitted. Reservations and a printed permit through Recreation.gov are required for every overnight stay, as... Read more
Dryweed Island (R11) is a boat-in tent campsite on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, three miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Dryweed Island is a boat-in campsite — site R11 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, about three miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Boaters tie up at an 8-by-20-foot crib dock with a floating section; the Park Service marker on shore reads ‘Dryweed Island.’
The small site holds up to nine people and comes with two tent pads, two bear-proof food lockers, a picnic table, a fire ring, and an outdoor vault privy. Campfires and pets are allowed. A separate site, Dryweed Island North (R73), sits farther up the same island with sand access and... Read more
Channel View (R100) is a boat-in tent campsite on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, 2.2 miles by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Channel View is a boat-in campsite — designated site R100 — on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, a short 2.2-mile run by water from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center east of International Falls. The brown Park Service marker on the rock reads ‘Channel View R100,’ and a new timber dock and stone steps lead up to a red-pine bench above the water.
It is a small site, set up for up to nine people, with two 14-foot tent pads, two bear-proof food lockers, a picnic table, a metal fire ring with a cooking grate, and a vault privy. Like... Read more
Boy Scout Point is Northome's lakeside park on Bartlett Lake, with a picnic pavilion, a T-shaped fishing pier, and a swimming beach (no lifeguard).
Boy Scout Point is Northome’s lakeside park on Bartlett Lake, with a timber picnic pavilion, a railed T-shaped fishing pier built by the City of Northome and the Minnesota DNR, and a swimming beach (no lifeguard on duty).
An accessible T-shaped fishing pier on Dark Lake near Gemmell, built by Koochiching County Land and Forestry, with a paved ramp and picnic spot.
An accessible T-shaped fishing pier on Dark Lake near Gemmell, built by Koochiching County Land and Forestry with the Northome VFW and Gemmell Lakes Association, with a paved ramp and shoreline picnic spot.
Little Vermilion Lake sits in the southeastern Crane Lake area, connecting to the interconnecting Voyageur waterway near Crane and Sand Point lakes.
Little Vermilion Lake sits in the southeastern corner of the Voyageurs and Crane Lake area. It connects to the interconnecting Voyageur waterway near Crane Lake and Sand Point Lake, placing it within reach of the broader system of waters this guide covers.
For paddlers especially, the area offers a way to explore the quieter edges of the region’s waterways.
Before heading out,... Read more
Rainy River Wayside offers walking trails and carry-in watercraft access!
Rainy River Wayside offers walking trails and carry-in watercraft access!
Little American Falls is a hidden gem that offers a perfect day trip or camping trip for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.
In the serene wilderness of South Koochiching County, Little American Falls is a hidden gem that offers a perfect day trip or camping trip for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. This charming waterfall is part of the Big Fork River, a waterway renowned for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
The journey to Little American Falls is an adventure in itself. Paddlers can follow a scenic route that takes them through lush forests and along winding rivers. The hiking trail is particularly stunning in the spring, when the water... Read more
Kabetogama State Forest, located in Koochiching and Saint Louis counties, Minnesota, spans 621,499 acres!
Kabetogama State Forest, covering 621,499 acres in northeastern Minnesota, is renowned for its rugged beauty and extensive forests. Bordering Voyageurs National Park, it offers an ideal setting for year-round outdoor adventures.
The forest features dense woodlands of fir, spruce, and birch, along with rocky ridges and wetland areas. Its lakes and forests support diverse wildlife, including moose, black bears, and bald eagles.
Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, and canoeing on Kabetogama Lake’s 25,000 acres of water in the summer months. In winter, the Arrowhead State Trail provides... Read more
Rod Smith Memorial Kid's Fishing Pond offers sheltered picnic pavilions and several docks!
The Rod Smith Memorial Kid’s Fishing Pond is stocked with fish and provides a pavilion picnic area! The pond is operated by The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club with cooperation from Koochiching County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club stocks the fish in the pond. Only children are permitted to take the fish that they catch with a limit of two. Normal fishing regulations still apply. The daily limit is 2 fish per child.
Fish cleaning and swimming are prohibited at the Rod Smith Memorial Kids Fishing Pond.
The parking area is located behind Rainy... Read more
Enjoy the beauty of Tilson Bay with its public water access, bogwalk, and hiking/skiing trails!
Tilson Bay is a hot spot for nature lovers and fishermen. The area includes hiking trails, cross country ski trails, snowshoe trails, a bogwalk, a fishing pier, and a public boat landing!
Tilson Bay’s bogwalk is a half-mile long walkway takes you through a fascinating bog ecosystem that supports a variety of plants and animals. You will see the distinctive tamarack trees, which shed their needles every fall, and the carnivorous plants that trap insects with their sticky leaves. You will also experience the sensation of walking on a floating sidewalk, as the walkway is made from boards that rest... Read more
The IFBC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting bass fishing, community engagement, and economic growth in International Falls!
The International Falls Bass Championship is a nonprofit organization that promotes bass fishing, community engagement, and economic growth. They host an annual two-day bass fishing tournament on Rainy Lake and Rainy River, attracting local enthusiasts and professional fishermen. The event is typically held in late summer and offers opportunities to win over $30,000 in cash prizes. The Bass Championship also emphasizes catch-and-release to ensure sustainability.
The tournament significantly boosts the local economy by attracting visitors who support local businesses. Besides the fishing competition, the Bass Championship organizes various community... Read more
Voyageurs National Park is renowned for its pristine lakes, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife!
Voyagers National Park (VNP) is a stunning natural reserve located in northern Minnesota. This park is renowned for its pristine lakes, ancient forests, and abundant wildlife, and offers visitors a unique and immersive experience in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a recreational adventurer, or simply seeking to enjoy the scenery, VNP is a destination worth exploring.
Established in 1975, Voyagers National Park spans over 218,000 acres and encompasses four major lakes: Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, and Sand Point Lake. These interconnected lakes form a vast water-based wilderness area that attracts boating, fishing, and kayaking enthusiasts... Read more
The Vermilion River stretches 42 miles northward from Lake Vermilion to Crane Lake, meandering through the Kabetogama State Forest!
Stretching approximately 40 miles from Lake Vermilion to Crane Lake, the Vermilion River flows generally northward through the Kabetogama State Forest. Along this path, paddlers are surrounded by forests of pine, spruce, fir, aspen, and birch, with scenic stretches of exposed bedrock and bluffs. The most developed areas along the river are near Vermilion and Crane Lakes and the town of Buyck.
With limited access points and a variety of rapids, the Vermilion River is best suited to experienced paddlers. Gradual water level changes... Read more
The Little Fork State River Water Trail offers a beautiful paddling experience with wildlife spotting, bird watching and fishing!
Flowing north to join the Rainy River, the Little Fork River takes its name from its role as the smaller of the two rivers that converge at Rainy Rapids. This river, with its combination of calm stretches and intermittent rapids, offers a unique paddling experience. The Ojibwe people originally named it “the river separating canoe routes,” due to its proximity to the Nett River.
The Little Fork State River Water Trail provides paddlers with scenic views and the chance to spot... Read more
Big Fork River flows north through a landscape of pine, spruce, fir, cedar, aspen, and birch forests to Rainy River!
The Big Fork River winds north through a rich landscape of pine, spruce, fir, cedar, aspen, and birch forests until it joins the Rainy River. Along its path, the towns of Bigfork and Big Falls serve as the main developed areas, offering convenient points for river access.
Anglers will find excellent fishing opportunities along the Big Fork, with species like walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass plentiful in its waters. The river is also a haven for birdwatchers, with frequent sightings... Read more
