Voyageurs National Park is a special destination that stretches east and west through the boundary waters between Minnessota and Canada. Historically, it was a major thoroughfare for fur traders.
Although it is set in the northern woods, this park is made up of 40% water and over one-thousand islands!
Its history, wildlife, and geological attributes all make Voyageurs National Park worth visiting. Oh, and did we mention the FUN you can have here?
I know you’ll be on a plane to Minnessota by the time our overview is complete, so go ahead and bookmark this article for more information on reservations and navigating the park!
Here are five reasons that Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting.
1. Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting because you can see Rock that is Half the Age of the Earth!
If ever you were to get excited about geology, this is a time to go hog wild.
In Voyageurs National Park you can see and TOUCH rock that is half the age of the Earth! That means it’s super old…like some of the oldest anywhere. This is a big deal, y’all.
Boat over to the Grassy Bay Cliffs on the edge of Sand Point Lake to see samples of the actual volcanic bedrock that formed our nation over 2.6 billion years ago. It is a stunning site.
If you visit Voyageurs National Park during the winter, you can access this cliff via snowmobile.
2. Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting because of the Wildlife, Oh, my!
In my experience, one of people’s favorite parts of visiting our national parks is seeing the animals. Voyaguers National Park is a gift to wildlife lovers because this park boasts some of our favorite mammals! You will find black bears, wolves, moose, beavers, and otters in the park. You may also see bald eagles!
There are many birding enthusiasts that also appreciate the diversity of species to track within Voyageurs National Park.
3. Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting because you can see the Northern Lights!
I know a lot of people who list seeing the Northern Lights on their bucket list. I happen to be one of those people!
Voyageurs National Park is a great place to see this natural phenomenon! Although winter is traditionally the most likely time for their display, many Voyageurs visitors are able to catch glimpses no matter when they visit the park.
In order to learn more about the Northern Lights and to see the predicted schedules for their shows, visit the University of Alaska, Fairbanks’ website. If you are in the park and curious, you can check with a park ranger as they often keep close tabs and excitedly share predictions with park visitors.
4. Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting because you can tour it on a Houseboat!
Yes! You read that right! I always say that your vacation accommodations can be an important part of your adventure, and a houseboat would certainly fit the bill!
Children would adore the adventure of sailing out onto the lake and drifting off to sleep as the boat softly rocks. You could even wake up early and cast a fishing line out into the water to win your family a high-protein breakfast!
Aside from the fun, unique experience of this type of lodging, staying on a houseboat also offers visitors the water navigation opportunites to reach some of the park’s boat-in-only attractions such as the Ellsworth Rock Gardens and the Oveson Fish Camp.
If you are willing and able, we highly encourage you to book a houseboat for your next Voyageurs family adventure!
5. Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting because you can enjoy your own, Private Lake!
No joke! The backcountry chain of lakes is accessible by boat only. Once you are there, the park service has set only one backcountry campsite on each of these small lakes.
This means that if you choose to camp in the backcountry, you could wake up to your own, private lake!
Where else in the National Park System can you rent a campsite with a private lake for only $16 per night?
What you need to know
There are some places and parks where you can just show up and enjoy your time. Voyageurs, however, may require a bit more planning to fully experience everything that makes it so special. We’ll outline several other considerations you should make when planning your trip to this special park.
What is the best month to visit Voyaguers National Park?
Peak season for Voyageurs National Park is May 12th through October 15th. The waters are calmest during the summer months, so we highly suggest those months for more comfortable outdoor temperatures and more managable boating activities.
Should you choose to visit in the winter, however, snowmobiling and ice fishing are popular activities. Although it would require some seriously warm outdoor gear, visiting in the winter offers a serene and beautiful experience that may just call you back year after year.
Can you drive into Voyageurs National Park?
Yes, you can drive into Voyageurs National Park. There are roads to all three visitor centers in the park. However, since 40% of the park is water, in order to fully experience all that Voyageurs has to offer, including special, island sites, we strongly suggest you consider paddling, canoeing, or boating around the lakes.
The park as well as concessionaires offer multiple touring options to meet any of your needs.
How many days do you need to visit Voyageurs National Park?
As does everything, it really depends on the experience you want to have in the park. If you want to check out all three visitor centers, see all of the backcountry sites, have a backcountry camping experience, and have a tour boat experience, we would suggest a minimum of FOUR DAYS.
If you are not backcountry camping in Voyageurs, and you want to see all of the other sites mentioned, you could likely plan for two very full days or three more comfortable days.
We suggest that approach this park with patience. Consider some activities, tours, or accommodations that are not your normal go-to solutions.
What should I do with kids in Voyageurs National Park?
We love Voyageurs National Park for kids. They have a great Junior Ranger Program, and the rangers are patient and wonderful with the kids. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is small yet full of kid-friendly exhibits. We spent hours there!
My very top pick for kids at Voyageurs is the “Land-Based Interpretive Program.” You need to book a reservation for this, and it begins at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. It is around 90 minutes of highly engaging, history-laden fun!
The rangers dress in period costumes, and they give kids accessories to join the action. They discuss the history of the park’s waters, and they lead singalongs. We are generally introverted in my house, but the rangers made this program so engaging that we couldn’t wipe smiles off of our faces!
After an interactive hour, the group takes off in a canoe for a 30 minute water experience.
Be sure to schedule this NPS-led experience HERE.
If you have only one day in Voyageurs, this is the experience to make you love and enjoy the park’s history.
Conclusion
Even for the most skeptical at heart, Voyageurs National Park is worth visiting. For those with the patience to wander in and open to experiences, this park can offer experiences, solace, and serenity unlike any other. We hope you will share more about your own Voyageurs journeys and what has made them special to your families!
