Cody Nelson 2025-01-02 06:22:36
GREAT OUTDOORS
NATIONAL & STATE PARKS
This vast adventure wonderland along the Canadian border is home to 30 pristine lakes and over 500 islands. With Voyageurs celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, there’s no better time to see Minnesota’s only national park.
A serene International Dark Sky Park dominated by lakes, Voyageurs offers adventures on the water and lessons about Native American and Northwoods history.
WHEN DID VOYAGEURS BECOME A NATIONAL PARK?
Nearly a century ago, the land that's now Voyageurs National Park was on the brink of being flooded for the construction of hydroelectric dams. Thanks to conservation efforts led by author Ernest Oberholtzer, the dams were stopped, and Voyageurs wasn’t sentenced to a life underwater. On April 8, 1975, a major chunk of the region was granted National Park status.
The parkland has a fascinating history with evidence of human life dating back 10,000 years. The indigenous Ojibwe people, who stewarded the land for centuries, play a major role in the Voyageurs story.
WHAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DOES VOYAGEURS OFFER?
Experience the beauty of Voyageurs with boating, paddling, fishing and more. Nightly, catch a violet-pink sun setting over glassy waters while all you hear are loons' calls.
No trip is complete without world-class views of the cosmos and the Northern Lights. Voyageurs Outfitters takes small groups out to a bog near International Falls for late-night stargazing. If you aren’t interested in a formal tour, apps like My Aurora Forecast and SkyView help light the way as you look up.
Make sure to stop by the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in International Falls. The center has trails, interpretive exhibits, guided boat tours and an Ethno-botanical Garden that illustrates how the Ojibwe people use native plants like raspberries, milkweed and white pine.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET THERE?
Voyageurs’ main visitor center (Rainy Lake) is a 300-mile drive from downtown Minneapolis.
If you’re visiting from out of state, consider flying into MSP or Duluth International Airport. If you want to reach the park ASAP, starting in Duluth will shave a few hours off your drive.
Check into the cozy Enger Lofts in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, where you’ll find a coffee shop (190°), gourmet grocer (Goat Hill Marketplace) and several indie stores (North & Shore, Liila Boutique, Ren Market) on the ground floor. Some of the port city’s best food and drink spots (Bent Paddle, OMC Smokehouse) are also nearby.
For a taste of Lake Superior’s iconic North Shore, drive up to the New Scenic Cafe for inspired Scandinavian cuisine. Or just head straight for your final destination less than three hours away.
HOW CAN I STAY ON A HOUSEBOAT?
There are several houseboat operators that offer a wide range of boat sizes and features - everything from a modest 36-foot houseboat to a massive 65-foot vessel.
Vessels are typically outfitted with bunks, a shower, bathroom, sitting areas, a fridge and a kitchen with basic supplies. All you need is groceries, linens and a permit from the National Park Service. Bring plenty of bug spray and sunscreen during warmer months, too.
WHERE CAN I CAMP?
There are plenty of camping sites throughout Voyageurs. Most are right on the lakeshore and have a fire ring, table, bearproof food locker and a place to park your boat. No boat? No problem. Many local outfitters rent kayaks, canoes, fishing boats and pontoons.
More adventurous travelers can hike or canoe into remote backcountry sites on the park’s smaller interior lakes (ones not Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan or Sand Point).
ARE THERE ANY HOTELS, RESTAURANTS OR BARS IN THE AREA?
Flanked by Rainy River to the west and Rainy Lake to the north, Ranier is a small town full of diversions within just a few blocks. Have a couple rounds of craft beer at Loony’s Brew, watch the sunset over the lake and grab dinner and a good night’s sleep at the historic Cantilever Distillery + Hotel. This newly renovated destination has luxe rooms with a bustling restaurant and bar serving excellent cocktails that highlight its house-made spirits.
International Falls is a slightly larger community overlooked by a massive Smokey Bear statue. Stock up at grocery stores, and fuel up for the park or snag a souvenir. Local accommodations include The Nomad Motel and Cobblestone Hotel & Suites.
AshKaNam Resort and Arrowhead Lodge are located just outside Voyageurs. AshKaNam is a prime fishing spot, with a patio overlooking the Ash River and picturesque cliffs. Arrowhead’s onsite restaurant serves fresh, blackened walleye just steps from your bed, offering a perfect respite after a day paddling Lake Kabetogama.
Summer may be peak time to visit, but Voyageurs is beautiful in all four seasons, including in winter when you can explore the network of ice roads maintained by the National Park. Regardless of when you visit, the park is a shining example of the beauty of Minnesota's north woods and lakes.
Minnesota National Park Sites & State Forests
Discover a variety of trails, lakes, cabins and campsites with this sampling of standout parks.
MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER & RECREATION AREA
This 72-mile-long river park runs from Dayton to Hastings, passing right through the heart of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, great views and historic sites, plus a variety of ranger-led activities.
ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAY
Designated as a “National Wild and Scenic River,” the St. Croix is one of the best canoeing rivers in the nation and also offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing. You’ll find five state parks and numerous regional and city parks plus primitive National Park Service campsites along the shore.
NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Once complete, the North Country National Scenic Trail will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States. Currently, Minnesota’s portion includes the Superior Hiking Trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior, open for backcountry camping as well as day hikes between access points with parking.
Spanning 3 million acres in the northeast corner of the state, Superior National Forest is the largest national forest east of the Mississippi River. Its 2,000 lakes and streams (many of which are part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness), offer some of the country’s finest fishing. There are extensive trails for hiking, off-highway vehicle riding and snowmobiling. Two downhill ski areas – Giant’s Ridge and Lutsen Mountains – also operate within the forest.
In north-central Minnesota, Chippewa National Forest is home to more than 1,300 lakes and 923 miles of rivers and streams. There are 21 developed campgrounds, some rustic and others with running water and other modern amenities. Within the forest, experience the Lost 40, a rare old growth forest that was spared from timber production in the late 1800s. The pines date back 300-400 years, and the ungroomed, one-mile trail that winds through them is a favorite for hiking or snowshoeing.
To explore more of Minnesota’s national park sites and national forests, visit exploreminnesota.com/national-park-sites
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