Sandwiched between Canada and the northernmost point of Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park boasts more than 218,000 acres, including approximately 80,000 acres of water-filled national park scenery.
Road access within Voyageurs National Park is limited, with less than ten miles of road in total. Visitors should be prepared to park the car and explore the islands and waterways by boat, kayak, canoe, snowshoes, or skis.
The History of Voyageurs National Park
After the glacial period, the waterways that are now part of the Voyageurs National Park system were major routes for the very traders for which the park was named. The Voyageurs were a group of enterprising French-Canadians, who would travel the icy northern waters in large, hand-built birch-bark canoes. Employed by the European fur trading industry, the Voyageurs would bring along items like guns and ammunition to trade for furs, hunted and crafted by Native American tribes that had settled in the area.
The route of the Voyageurs was so often taken that in 1783, after the signing of the treaty of the American Revolution, the Voyageurs waterway route was acknowledged as an official international boundary.
Though there was a large movement to establish Voyageurs as a national park that began in 1891, it wasn’t until 1975 that the legislation awarding Voyageurs national park status was passed.
Visiting Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is open to outdoor enthusiasts and visitors year round. Summer climates range from 55-80 degrees while winter climates can be quite harsh, with the mercury hovering between 0 and 15 degrees. The northern waters can also bring strong winds, which can make the atmosphere feel even more brisk. Visitors should plan to bring warm clothing along, even in the typically hot months of July and August.
When visiting Voyageurs National Park, guests should be prepared to leave their car on the mainland. Most of the park's islands, hiking trails, and wildlife are best viewed from the water. In the summer, traveling the waters by canoe, kayak, or motorboat is common. The National Park service also hosts a rental program for visitors who will be visiting the park without water transportation. Additionally, some programs allow visitors to the park to experience the waters in replicas of the birch-bark canoes used by the original Voyageurs.
In the winter season, skis, snowmobiles, and snowshoes are the popular mode of transportation for visitors to Voyageurs National Park. Snowshoe loans and cross-country ski rental are available. In addition to these popular winter activities in Voyageurs National Park, the National Park Service hosts winter naturalist programs and ice fishing is allowed in the waters of the park.
There are more than 200 designated campsites within Voyageurs National Park, all designed for campers who are able to travel via waterway to access the sites. While camping is free within the park, a permit is required. There are drive-up campsites available at the nearby Woodenfrog and Ash River state forests. Camping is limited to two weeks at a time, no more than 30 days within one year, and can only take place between May 15 - September 15.
Three visitor's centers are available to Voyageur's National Park guests. The Rainy Lake Visitor's Center is open year round, though the hours vary depending on the time of day and the season. The Kabetogama Lake Visitor's Center and the Ash River Visitor's Center are both open daily from the end of May until late September.
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