Summary
$0
Entrance fee
Live
Rainy River gauge
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–August, when around 65% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for October–April.
Plan Your Visit
Water & Ice SafetyWeather changes fast▾
Park EntryNo entrance fee▾
Rainy RiverLive USGS gauge▾
Houseboating & Boat AccessPermit required▾
Houseboatsmulti-day trips▾
Houseboat Permit
Required for any overnight vessel with sleeping/cooking/sanitation facilities — via Recreation.gov
Rental Outfitters
Several concessioners near Kabetogama and Ash River rent houseboats and small craft
Ranger-Led Boat Toursseasonal▾
Narrated Tours
Depart from visitor centers in summer; reserve via Recreation.gov, 50% discount for seniors/Access pass
Things to Do5 categories▾
Hiking Trails4 trails▾
Blind Ash Bay TrailModerate
Lollipop loop from Ash River Visitor Center through boreal forest to a Kabetogama Lake overlook
2.9 mi loop
Oberholtzer TrailEasy
Rainy Lake Visitor Center walk past marsh and lake overlooks; first quarter-mile is paved and accessible
1.6 mi RT
Cruiser Lake Trail8.0 mi one-way · Boat access
Backcountry route linking Anderson Bay on Rainy Lake to Lost Bay on Kabetogama Lake over steep, rocky terrain
Kab-Ash Trail1–5 days · Vehicle access
The park's only vehicle-accessible long-distance trail, with four trailheads near Ash River and two reservable backcountry campsites
FishingRenowned walleye fishery▾
Minnesota Fishing LicenseRequired
Required for all anglers; fishing follows Minnesota DNR regulations throughout the park
54 Fish Species30 named lakes
Walleye, sauger, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch & black crappie across 30 named lakes
Bait Rules4 large lakes
Live bait allowed only on the four large lakes — Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan & Sand Point; artificial lures only on interior lakes
Ice FishingWinter season
Ice houses may sit unattended past 24 hours under state rule, but must stay at least 50 ft from snowmobile trails and the ice road
Ranger-Led Boat Tours4 tours▾
Grand Tour2.5 hrs · Mid-Jun–Sep
Narrated Voyageur-style cruise on Rainy Lake covering park wildlife and cultural history
Kettle Falls Cruise6.5 hrs · Mid-Jun–Sep
Full-day trip to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, with about two hours ashore before the return cruise
Ellsworth Rock Gardens Tour2.5 hrs
Ranger-guided quarter-mile walk through dry-stacked terraced flower beds on Kabetogama Lake, the park's most popular day-use stop
North Canoe Voyage1.5 hrs
Paddle a replica voyageur canoe with a ranger crew from Rainy Lake or Ash River Visitor Center; minimum age 8
Winter Activities3 ways▾
Snowmobiling110 mi trails
110 miles of staked, groomed trails run across frozen lake surfaces and designated safety portages; hill climbing and off-trail land travel are prohibited
Ice Road Driving30 mph limit
Plowed routes cross Rainy Lake from the visitor center boat launch and Kabetogama Lake between Ash River and Kabetogama, for vehicles under 7,000 lbs
Ski & Snowshoe RentalsFri–Mon, Jan–Mar
Free equipment rentals — skis, boots, poles & snowshoes — for exploring frozen lakes and snow-covered forest routes
Bird Watching235+ species▾
Common Loon
Minnesota's state bird, calls echo across the lakes
Bald Eagle
Nests along the shorelines of all four large lakes
Osprey
Dives for fish across the park's open water
Great Blue Heron
Wades the shallows and rocky shorelines
Belted Kingfisher
Rattling call along the park's countless bays
CampingBoat-access only inside park▾
Park Contact Information