Voyageurs National Park is a remote, water-based wilderness located in northern Minnesota. This vast and beautiful park is perfect for families seeking an adventure-filled getaway.
With over 500,000 acres of water, forests, and wilderness, there is an abundance of opportunities for kids to explore and learn about the great outdoors. From boating to hiking, wildlife viewing to camping, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy!
Location
Voyageurs National Park is relatively remote. It is also important to know that cellular service will be spotty, at best, on your journey to the park.
While there are small, regional airports in International Falls, MN and Duluth, MN, the closest major airport is the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport which is about a six hour drive from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
While the scenery is often northern wetlands, the roads are often one lane each way. It is imperative that drivers are cautious and aware of the propensity for wildlife crossings.
The closest town to the Rainy Lake region of the park is International Falls, MN. It is very rural with few services.
Pro Tip: We strongly advise that you bring your passports in the event that you need to make a border crossing into Ontario, Canada.
Ten minutes north of International Falls is the Canadian city of Fort Francis. There, you can find any service you may need including a pharmacy and a Walmart.
*For those who are visiting the region with an RV, it is our experience that the Fort Francis Walmart will allow you to overnight in their parking lot.
When to Visit to Voyageurs National Park
Due to its harsh winter conditions, most visitors enjoy the park during the summer season from June through September. However, during the winter months, guests can enjoy ice fishing, snow mobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing.
All three of the park’s visitor centers have seasonal closures. Be aware of these time frames as it may affect your experience if you visit during these months.
The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is closed during the months of April, May, November, and December.
The Kabetogama Visitor Center is closed from October 1st through the last week of May.
The Ash River Visitor Center is closed the last week of September through the last week of May.
We advise that first time visitors attempt to enjoy this special park during the summer months. The mosquitos can be extremely thick in this region, so August through September may be most ideal for visitor comfort.
What to do in Voyageurs National Park
Enjoy the Visitor Centers
As usual, this is our top recommendation. It is the perfect starting place to learn about the park, its history, and what adventures you can find during your stay!
On our last visit, we made a bee-line for the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, and it was well worth it.
This visitor center had wonderful exhibits and seemed to be the hub of much activity. We picked up Junior Ranger books and immediately immersed the kids in education.
Junior Ranger Program
The rangers here were phenomenal with kids and even offered a special canoe adventure for the junior rangers!
The ranger guides dressed up as historic figures that canoed these waterways. They taught the kids how to paddle, and the canoe was decorated to look like the hand-made vessels.
The rangers told highly engaging stories and sang songs with the kids. Of all of the national parks, this program was in the top two most engaging junior ranger programs we have experienced!
Boat or Paddle The Waterways
Voyageurs National Park is best experienced from the water. You can experience this through a guided program or on your own.
When possible, we tend to prefer the park ranger-led tours. For a list of these tours click HERE.
For families with young children, we strongly recommend the “Land-based Interpretive Program.” It includes the “special” canoe-ride, the songs, and the historical story-telling.
I will offer you a 99% satisfaction guarantee on this 90-minute adventure! (I left a 1% buffer in case anyone showed up “hangry.”)
For visitors comfortable exploring the waters on their own, the park links you to a plethora of outfitters HERE.
You can rent a motorboat, kayak, or canoe to enjoy the numerous waterways, bays, and lakes. Be sure you have good navigation skills, and bring your park map!
Hiking
Voyageurs National Park offers numerous hiking trails for all ability levels. There is very little elevation gain, and the wildlife is plentiful.
It is a great park for finding short, family friendly strolls right from the visitor centers.
If you are navigating the waterways and would like to take some hikes only accessible by water, there are numerous options for these adventures, too. For details and locations of each trail, check out the park’s descriptions HERE.
Be mindful of the trailhead locations. From the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to the Kabetogama Visitor Center, the drive is around 35 miles or close to an hour. From Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center to Ash River Visitor Center is about another 20 miles or about forty minutes.
See the Sites
In addion to the vast wilderness areas, there are several special sites to visit within Voyageurs National Park. The Harry Oveson Fish Camp sits on the shore of Rainy Lake.
It is a great stop on a water tour, and guests can view the fishing structure while enjoying a picnic on the shore.
The Ellsworth Rock Gardens lie at the shores of Lake Kabetogama. It is only accessible by boat. This Rock Garden is a historic sculptural exhibit created from local rocks, and it is an awe-inspiring, can’t miss showpiece when visiting Voyageurs National Park!
The Ethno-Botanical Garden is near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and offers guests a one acre garden that has been restored to native plants after the area suffered from attacks of invasive species. This garden path is also ADA accessible.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular activity at Voyageurs National Park. Fisherpeople must obtain a State of Minnessota Fishing License prior to first cast.
Be aware of regulations, warnings, and invasive species. More details with updated advisories can be found HERE.
Places to Stay in or near Voyageurs National Park
- The Historic Kettle Falls Hotel – This is the only in-park lodging. It is operated by a concessionaire, and it is only accessible by boat. If you do not have a watercraft, the hotel will arrange a water taxi to bring you to its boat dock.
- Houseboats – For a truly unique and memorable experience, rent a houseboat and cruise the park’s waterways. These boats come fully equipped with all the amenities you need for a comfortable and convenient stay. This is also a fun and exciting adventure for the kids!
- Traditional Campsites – There are many campsites located throughout the park offering families a chance to pitch a tent; however, all except two campsites in the park are accessed by waterways only.
- RV Campgrounds – While we cannot recommend the RV campground that we reserved in the International Falls area (spoiler alert – we abandoned it and slept in the Walmart parking lot in Fort Francis, Ontario,) we did find the International Falls RV campground with the highest rating: Rany Lake RV. Due to the remote location and the density of visitors during the summer season, we recommend that you book as early as possible.
- Hotels – International Falls offers many hotel options. For families, our top pick is the AmericInn by Wyndham (Southwest.) It was built in 2022, offers an indoor pool (my daughter’s favorite,) and offers free breakfast (my son’s favorite.)
- Lodges and Cabins – For those seeking a little more comfort, there are several lodges and cabins located near the park. These offer a range of amenities from basic to luxurious, and they are perfect for families who want to relax after a day of adventure.
How to add Isle Royale National Park to your Voyageurs National Park itinerary
If you are interested in our second national park in this region of the country, we suggest that you add a trip to Isle Royale National Park to your itinerary.
Grand Portage, MN is about a five hour drive from International Falls, and, with advanced-planned reservations (keyword: ADVANCED,) you can take a boat ride directly to Isle Royale.
Click HERE for more information. Notice that the trip on the Voyageur II requires an overnight stay on Isle Royale, but the Sea Hunter III offers a day trip option.
Visitors can stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge or the Windigo Cabins. Both require advanced reservations. The Rock Harbor Lodge offers the only food service options on the island; however, there are ranger stations and camp stores for other needs. Camping and backpacking are also popular island adventures.
Read more about how and when to access Isle Royale National Park.
Voyageurs National Park is a great destination for families seeking a fun and adventurous getaway. With its abundance of water-based activities, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Whether you prefer to explore the park from the water or stay on land, there are plenty of options for families to experience the beauty and wonder of this unique place.
So pack your bags, grab the kids, and head to Voyageurs National Park for a family-friendly vacation to remember!
