Lake landscape at Voyageurs National Park Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives (Public Domain)
All Parks
Minnesota · Est. 1975
Park Map PDF

Voyageurs

A water-based wilderness on the Canadian border — four large lakes, 500+ islands, and some of the darkest skies in the Midwest for aurora viewing.

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🚤
40% water
Boat-based park
💵
$0
Entrance fee
🌌
Dark Sky Park
Aurora viewing
💧
Live
Rainy River gauge
🏕
Boat-in only
In-park camping
🏝️
500+
Islands
⚠️Water & Ice SafetyWeather changes fast▾
🌊 Voyageurs is a boating park first — learn proper lake navigation before heading out, and watch for sudden squalls, since NPS notes weather here "changes rapidly at any time of the year." In winter, ice conditions vary across the lakes and can be unsafe even when it looks solid; check current ice reports before venturing out. Store food securely — this is active bear country, and "food is for you only." Treat all lake water before drinking; blue-green algae blooms are a periodic concern. NPS safety info ↗
🎫Park EntryNo entrance fee▾
🗺️ No entrance pass is required at Voyageurs. Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Ash River visitor centers each offer boat access, ranger programs, and trip planning help — most of the park's interior is reachable only by water. NPS fees info ↗
💧Rainy RiverLive USGS gauge▾
USGS Site 05129515 — Rainy River Below International Falls, MN
Streamflow -- ft³/s
Gauge Height -- ft
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The Rainy River drains Rainy Lake, the park's largest lake — water levels here are regulated by a dam system under an international agreement with Canada. Full USGS station data ↗
🚤Houseboating & Boat AccessPermit required▾
Houseboatsmulti-day trips▾
Houseboat PermitRequired for any overnight vessel with sleeping/cooking/sanitation facilities — via Recreation.gov
Rental OutfittersSeveral concessioners near Kabetogama and Ash River rent houseboats and small craft
Ranger-Led Boat Toursseasonal▾
Narrated ToursDepart from visitor centers in summer; reserve via Recreation.gov, 50% discount for seniors/Access pass
🏕CampingBoat-access only inside park▾
⛺ Nearly every campsite inside Voyageurs itself is boat-in only, scattered across the lakeshores and islands — reserve through Recreation.gov. Drive-in car camping is available just outside the park at Woodenfrog and Ash River campgrounds, both run by Kabetogama State Forest (Minnesota DNR), not NPS. Full camping details on NPS.gov ↗
Park Contact Information
📞 Phone: (218) 283-6600  ·  Mailing Address: 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649  ·  Official NPS contact page ↗