Explore the gorgeous Voyageurs National Park in the northland!
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
The Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail is a 1.2-mile boat-in hiking trail in Voyageurs National Park, reached by water a mile from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
The Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail is a boat-in hiking trail in Voyageurs National Park, reached by boating about a mile from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to a day-use dock on Black Bay of Rainy Lake. A brown Park Service trailhead sign marks the landing, where there is also a vault toilet; pets are not allowed on the trail.
The narrow dirt path runs 1.2 miles round trip — rated moderate, about 30 to 60 minutes — through northern pines and hardwoods and across rock ridges, with a few short, steep climbs and descents over rock and roots. It... Read more
Little Cedar Island is a boat-in day-use picnic site on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, no reservation required.
Little Cedar Island is a boat-in day-use site on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, an easy island stop for a picnic. An orange-and-white Park Service marker with a picnic-table symbol reads ‘Little Cedar Island,’ and gravel paths and a short boardwalk lead among the pines to picnic tables, a fire ring, a vault-toilet building, and a floating dock where boats tie up.
The park’s day-use sites — there are 33 of them in the frontcountry — have dock or beach access, picnic areas, and outdoor privies, and unlike the campsites they need no reservation or permit. It is one... 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
The Harry Oveson Fish Camp is a preserved 1959 commercial fishing camp on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, open as a boat-in day-use site.
The Harry Oveson Fish Camp is a preserved commercial fishing camp on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park, kept by the Park Service as a boat-in day-use site. Two weathered green frame buildings and an ice house stand along the shore, connected to a dock, and visitors can walk the grounds and step inside the ice house. A picnic table, fire ring, benches, and a seasonal restroom make it a good place to stop, and interpretive signs tell the camp’s story.
Harry Oveson was born in Roseau in 1906, moved to International Falls in 1921, served in Alaska during World... 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
The Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation, established in 1964, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Ernest Carl Oberholtzer—a renowned explorer, author, and conservationist.
The Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation, established in 1964, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Ernest Carl Oberholtzer—a renowned explorer, author, and conservationist. The foundation maintains his historic home on Mallard Island in Rainy Lake, Minnesota, serving as a center for ecological education, creative expression, and cultural study.
The foundation’s mission is to “foster Ober’s legacy and North Woods island home as a source of inspiration, renewal, and connection to Indigenous Peoples, kindred spirits, and the natural world.” This commitment reflects Oberholtzer’s lifelong dedication to environmental... Read more
Sphunge Island Sledding Hill in Voyageurs National Park offers two winter slopes reached by the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road, with picnic tables and a fire ring.
Sphunge Island, nestled within Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park, transforms into a winter haven each year, offering visitors a delightful sledding experience amid the park’s serene landscapes.
The Sphunge Island Sledding Hill caters to all ages with two distinct slopes: a gentle hill suitable for younger children and a steeper incline designed for older children and adults. This setup ensures that families can enjoy sledding together, regardless of skill level.
To reach the sledding hill, visitors can drive on the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road, accessible from... Read more
The Beaver Pond Overlook is a key attraction in Voyageurs National Park!
The Beaver Pond Overlook is a key attraction in Voyageurs National Park, located near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to observe the influence of beavers on the local environment and learn about the boreal forest ecosystem. Interpretive signs along the trail offer insight into the park’s natural history and the cultural significance of the area to the Ojibwe people.
The trail to the Beaver Pond Overlook is a 0.2-mile (0.3 km) round-trip hike. The path is relatively easy, with a few slight inclines, making it suitable for most visitors. The trailhead... Read more
The Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail is a 0.4-mile loop located near the Ash River Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park.
The Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail is situated near the Ash River Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park. It is accessible from the first parking area on Meadwood Drive, making it easy to find for visitors coming to explore the Ash River area.
The trail is a 0.4-mile loop with moderate difficulty, featuring a mix of elevations and forest types, making it suitable for a short but engaging hike. However, due to uneven terrain and slight inclines, the hike may be challenging for individuals with mobility issues. The trail showcases a variety of trees, including white... Read more
Oberholtzer Hiking Trail offers stunning views throughout Voyageurs National Park!
The Oberholtzer Hiking Trail is a 1.6-mile loop located near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park. Named in honor of Ernest Oberholtzer, a prominent conservationist, the trail offers visitors a glimpse of the diverse landscapes in the park, ranging from deciduous and coniferous forests to wetland areas with scenic views.
The Ellsworth Rock Gardens, known as the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama” since the 1940s, were created by Jack Ellsworth, a self-taught artist and carpenter from Chicago!
The Ellsworth Rock Gardens stand as a testament to human creativity harmoniously blended with nature. Often referred to as the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama,” this distinctive site was meticulously crafted by Jack Ellsworth, a self-taught artist and carpenter from Chicago, over two decades starting in the 1940s.
Between 1944 and 1965, Jack Ellsworth transformed a 60-foot granite outcrop into an intricate garden featuring 62 terraced flower beds and over 200 abstract rock sculptures. Utilizing native stones and concrete, Ellsworth’s creations range from... 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 Voyageurs Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota!
The Voyageurs Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Voyageurs National Park, dedicated to protecting the park’s natural beauty and enhancing visitors’ experiences. Founded in 1965, the conservancy has played a vital role in preserving the park’s 218,000 acres of waterways, forests, and wildlife habitats. Through conservation efforts, education programs, and community partnerships, the conservancy works to ensure that Voyageurs remains a thriving and accessible wilderness for generations to come.
Voyageurs Conservancy focuses on protecting the park’s diverse ecosystems, including its lakes, wetlands, and boreal forests. One of their major initiatives... Read more
