Voyageurs National Park

Year Established: 1975
Annual Visitors: 243,000
Size: 218,222 Acres

State: Minnesota

Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park

June to September

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Voyageurs National Park

• Cruiser Lake Trail
• North Canoe Voyage

A Brief History

Voyageurs is made up of more than 30 lakes and sticks out into Canada. The four main ones are Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point. Together, they cover a third of the park, which is named after the French-Canadian fur traders who used to walk through these woods looking for beaver.

The park’s 900 islands make a maze that people can explore in motorboats, houseboats, canoes, and kayaks. People can hear the haunting calls of loons and the high-pitched cackling of the bald eagle as these great birds fish for bass, sturgeon, pike, and walleye from their boats or while walking along the shorelines.

The most amazing thing about the aurora borealis is that it lights up the sky with flashing and shimmering bands of green, purple, and red light about 200 nights a year.

Voyageurs RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for U.S. Voyageurs National Park or in Minnesota, consider checking out our other post:

• Best RV Parks in Minnesota
• Best RV Resorts in Minnesota

Visitor Information

Fees

There are no fees to get into this park. There is a separate fee for each camping amenity.

Contacting Voyageurs National Park

Visitor Centers

Rainy Lake Visitor Center

This visitor center seems to have the most to offer out of the three in Voyageurs National Park. The center has an interesting and beautiful display about the area’s history and wildlife. It is in a beautiful place with a nice view and nice trails close by. The rangers are nice and willing to help.

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center 

This is a seasonal visitor center in the park. It is closed from late September to late May. From this visitor center you can take Echo bay Trail, and Kab-Ash Trail.

Ash River Visitor Center

The Ash River Trail (County Road 129) off of Highway 53 leads to the historic Meadwood Lodge, home to the park’s seasonal visitor center during the winter months. There is a trailhead for hikers and a boat ramp for the public to use at no cost. Late May through late September is the traditional opening/closing window.

Lodges along the Ash River can be reached along the trail. Shuttle service to and from the Kettle Falls Hotel and surrounding area is available on a round-trip basis from the Ash River area.