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The park lies in the southern part of the Canadian Shield, representing some of the oldest exposed rock formations in the world. This bedrock has been shaped and carved by at least four periods of glaciation. In the years since the last period, a thin layer of soil has been created which supports the boreal forest ecosystem, the "North Woods" of Voyageurs National Park. This is a land rich in human history. The park's waterways were an important stretch of the "voyageurs' highway" from the Great Lakes into the interior of the western United States and Canada. Voyageurs National Park was named for the French-Canadian canoe-men who traveled these waters in their birch-bark canoes. The days of the voyageurs are long gone, but the waters they traveled remain. It is these waters and the accompanying scenery, geology, and rich cultural and natural resources that give Voyageurs its national significance, which merits its protection for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Use the menu below to quickly access information on this park:
Legislative Background Public Law 91-661 as amended by Public Law 97-405 was enacted by the U.S. Congress on January 8, 1971, to "preserve, for the inspiration and enjoyment of present and future generations, the outstanding scenery, geological conditions, and waterway system which constituted a part of the historic route of the Voyageurs who contributed significantly to the opening of the Northwestern United States." The park was officially established under these laws by the Secretary of the Interior on April 8, 1975. Acreage 218,054.79 acres "The uniquely scenic and historic Voyageurs National Park, 36th in our National Park System, stands as a monument forever to the dedicated citizens and conservation organizations whose vision, ingenuity and courage matched the splendor of this superlative wilderness area. Rich in the history of the early, exciting exploration of our great country, Voyageurs will serve as a living legacy linking generation to generation and century to century." President Richard M. Nixon, 1971
Park visitation is highest from May through August, when boating, camping, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking are the main visitor activities. In the fall, canoeists and kayakers can experience the beautiful colors of Voyageurs during a season with fewer visitors and few insects. From January through March, the park is a primary destination for winter snowmobile vacations. Location Located on the northern border of Minnesota, 55 miles of the park stretch along the Canadian border with Ontario. Voyageurs is about 15 miles east of International Falls, Minnesota and 300 miles north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. The resort communities of Kabetogama, Ash River, and Crane Lake are located approximately 280 miles from the Twin Cities. Park information and access points are located near International Falls on Rainy Lake, Kabetogama on Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, and Crane Lake. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park lie to the east of the park. Address Voyageurs National Park Telephone Headquarters (218) 283-9821 FAX (218) 285-7407 Operating Hours The park is open year-round. Visitor Center Hours Ash River Visitor Center Crane Lake Information Station Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Rainy Lake Visitor Center Transportation By car, Voyageurs National Park is located five hours from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, three hours from Duluth, Minnesota, and four hours from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Roads approach the park from four points along U.S. Highway 53 between Duluth and International Falls. Long-distance travelers can take advantage of the International Falls International Airport; rental cars are available at the airport. Voyageurs National Park is a water-based park. Access to the Kabetogama peninsula, the islands and nearly all of the park's shoreline is by watercraft. Free public boat ramps and parking are available at the park's visitor centers and at the Kabetogama State Forest Campgrounds. Watercraft rental and water taxi service are available from private outfitters and resorts at each of the park's four gateway communities - Ash River, Crane Lake, International Falls and Lake Kabetogama. Fees There is neither an entrance fee nor any charge for use of park facilities. Golden Eagle Passport The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to any national park, monument, historical site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee. It is a great convenience for those who plan on visiting several different areas that charge special fees. It is valid for one year from the purchase date. A Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased for $50 at any National Park Service entrance fee area or by mail. To order by mail, send check or money order (no cash, please) to: National Park Service Where entry is by private vehicle, the Golden Eagle Passport will admit the passholder as well as any passengers. Where entry by private vehicle is not possible, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Eagle Passport will not reduce use fees, such as those for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It covers entrance fees only. Golden Age Passport The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass for those United States residents 62 years or older. These may be purchased at any National Park Service entrance fee area for a one-time processing fee of $10. The Golden Age Passport cannot be purchased by mail or telephone. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residence must be shown at the time of purchase. The Golden Age Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. When entrance is not via private vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder as well as children, spouse, and parents. The Golden Age Pass grants a 50 percent discount to the holder on any federal use fees charged for things such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or tours. It does not, however, reduce the price of special recreation permit fees or fees for concessions. Golden Access Passport The Golden Access Passport is a free entrance pass to any national park, monument, historic site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge for those who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access passport may be obtained at any National Park Service entrance fee area. Proof of a medically determined disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law is necessary at purchase. The Golden Access Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. Where entrance is not by vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50 percent discount on any federal use fees charged for services and facilities. It does not cover special recreation permit fees or fees charged for concessions. All passes described above are non-transferable. Climate The park has a cool continental climate with short, warm summers followed by long winters. Average summer highs range from 60F to 80F; winter highs range from 10F to 30F. The boating and canoeing season begins as early as the end of April and lasts until freeze-up, sometime in November. The winter snowmobile and ski season generally begins in late December. Annual precipitation averages 28 inches. Hazards Weather conditions can vary within a season. Due to the harsh cold of winter and the variable temperatures of summer, layers of clothing are recommended. Storms can rise quickly, and travel on large lakes can be dangerous. Current lake conditions and additional weather information can be obtained at the visitor centers. Voyageurs National Park has a U.S. Coast Guard numbered buoy system to guide boaters. This system is dependent on the direction of water flow and can be explained by park staff in the visitor centers. Hazardous rocks, reefs, and sandbars appear and disappear during the course of yearly water fluctuations. Not all hazards are marked. Boaters unfamiliar with the park should equip themselves with a map and compass and discuss travel routes with a ranger before leaving. To prevent illnesses, lake water must be treated by boiling, filtering, or chemicals before drinking. Biting insects (including deer flies, ticks, and mosquitoes) can interfere with the enjoyment of some summer activities, so dress appropriately and carry desired repellant. Voyageurs is black bear country. Bear-proof methods of food storage are required. Be prepared to hang your food if food-storage locker space is not available. More information on precautionary measures regarding bears can be obtained at the visitor centers. Facilities & Opportunities Visitor Center & Exhibits Regular showings of a short park film and interpretive exhibits at the visitor centers provide an excellent overview of the park's natural and cultural resources. Information on camping and other park recreational uses is also available. Lake States Interpretive Association has maps, books, tapes, and other interpretive items for sale at each of the visitor centers. Trails & Roads Extended camping and hiking opportunities on the Kabetogama Peninsula are available on the Cruiser Lake Trail (9 miles) and the Locator Lake Trail (2 miles). Both trails provide access to interior lakes, where canoes and rowboats are available through reservations made at the Ash River, Kabetogama Lake or Rainy Lake visitor centers. For day hikes, 4 trails offer park visitors a chance to experience the north woods. The Blind Ash Trail (2 miles) and Echo Bay Trail (2 miles) provide beautiful vistas of Kabetogama Lake. The Echo Bay Trail is accessible from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. The Blind Ash Bay Trail is accessible from the Ash River Visitor Center. On Rainy Lake, the Oberholtzer Interpretive Trail is accessible from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, and the Little American Island Gold Mine Trail is accessible from the waters of Rainy Lake. Additional information on these trails can be obtained at any of the visitor centers. Snowmobile Trails More than 110 miles of snowmobile trails cross the frozen surfaces of the principal lakes. These trails have portages around areas of unstable ice and connect with trails outside the park. In addition to these trails, the minimally-maintained Chain of Lakes Snowmobile Trail twists and turns through the backcountry of the Kabetogama Peninsula. Cross-Country Ski Trails Ten miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are accessible near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Twice each winter, join a park naturalist for a candlelight ski followed by a cup of hot cider. The Echo Bay Hiking and Ski Trail, near the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, was completed in 1996 and has more than 7 miles of cross-country ski trails. Fishing & Boating Boating and fishing are the most common recreational uses of the park. Known as some of the best walleye water in the nation, the lakes attracted sport anglers long before the park was established. A Minnesota fishing license is required. Canoeing & Kayaking Even though waters are shared with powerboats, the lakes of Voyageurs National Park are large enough to provide for some solitude. Canoe and kayak trips are available, ranging from day-trips to journeys lasting more than a week; the Kabetogama Peninsula can be circumnavigated in approximately one week. Inquire at the visitor centers for recommended routes. Boats on Interior Lakes Voyageurs National Park provides, free of charge, canoes and/or rowboats on the following interior lakes of the Kabetogama Peninsula: Locator, Quill, Ek, Cruiser, Little Shoepack, and Shoepack. Boats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations to use these boats can be made one week in advance at the visitor centers. The trails leading to these interior lake boats are accessible only by water; water taxi service can be arranged for visitors without transportation to these trailheads. Watercraft Rental Many of the resorts and lodging facilities in the four gateway communities offer watercraft rental, water taxi service, and guide services. Three resorts in the Crane Lake community offer concession boat rentals on Mukooda Lake. Houseboat rental is available at Ash River, Crane Lake and International Falls. Programs & Activities During the summer season, naturalists offer interpretive walks, evening programs, children's activities, canoe trips, a junior ranger program, and North Canoe Voyages. A schedule of these activities and their locations are available at each of the visitor centers. Lodging & Camping Facilities There are more than 150 boat-accessible campsites distributed throughout the park, designed for both tent camping and houseboats. Designated tent sites have a mooring post, tent pad or level area, fire ring, privy, picnic table, and bear-proof food-storage locker. Houseboat sites include 2 mooring posts and a fire ring. In addition to the designated sites, there are approximately 400 traditionally used sites available to campers. There are no fees, permits, or reservation requirements; camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. The historic Kettle Falls Hotel offers lodging within the park. Often called the "Jewel in the Wilderness," Kettle Falls is accessible by boat, ski plane, floatplane, and snowmobile. It is a concession-operated complex that includes a dining room, bars, and rooms in the historic 1912 motel and modern housekeeping villas. Kettle Falls offers a portage between Rainy Lake and Namakan Lake. Gasoline can also be purchased here. The gateway communities of Ash River, Crane Lake, International Falls and Kabetogama Lake offer a range of facilities including motels, cabins, bed & breakfast inns, and campgrounds. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources operates the Woodenfrog State Forest Campground on Lake Kabetogama and the Ash River Campground on Ash River. For information contact: Ash River Commercial Club (800) 950-2051 Boat Tours Boat tours are provided by concessionaire on Rainy Lake's "The Pride of Rainy Lake" and Lake Kabetogama's "The Sight-Sea-Er." Trips offered include sunset cruises, wildlife watching cruises, and cruises to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel. Most trips are naturalist-guided. Reservations are suggested, check with the Kabetogama or Rainy Lake Visitor Centers for more details. Education Educational programs are given by park naturalists at area schools throughout the year. Schools may also choose an in-park educational experience, which includes a trip on the concession-operated tour boat "The Pride of Rainy Lake" and a hike into a beaver pond. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Food & Supplies There are restaurants, grocery, and specialty stores on the periphery of the park. Nearby Visitor Attractions Boise Cascade of International Falls Mill tours are offered June through August without reservations. Children under 10 are not allowed on the tour. Forest Tours begin in June and are offered every other Wednesday throughout the summer. The field trip includes lunch and reservations can be made at (218) 285- 5217. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Superior National Forest Crane Lake is the western most entry point for the BWCAW; use of BWCAW requires permits from the Forest Service. The Superior National Forest offers trails, picnic grounds, and campgrounds. The Vermilion Gorge Trail and the Vermilion Falls Trail near Crane Lake provide access to spectacular geologic features. Grand Mound History Center Operated by the Minnesota Historical Center, the Grand Mound History Center is located 17 miles west of International Falls, on State Highway 11. The center is open May 1 through September 1 daily and September through April on weekends. Admission is charged. International Border From International Falls, drive or walk across a toll bridge to Fort Frances, Ontario, or depart from Crane Lake and travel by boat to the Canadian Trading Post on Sand Point Lake. Visitors are required to check in with Canadian Customs. Koochiching County Historical Museum and Bronco Nagurski Museum This complex is located in Smokey Bear Park, International Falls, and is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is charged. Maps & Guides Navigational charts and topographic maps may be purchased at the visitor centers, by mail from the Lake States Interpretive Association (218) 283-2103, or by calling Maptech at (800) 839-5551. Visit their website at www.maptech.com. Friends of Voyageurs National Park Organized in 1995 to sponsor and support the outreach of natural, historical, and educational activities at Voyageurs National Park, the friends operate under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. The partnership allows the non-profit Friends organization to sponsor the annual "March for Parks" Earth Day event in addition to other local celebration and fundraising projects. To contact the Friends of Voyageurs National Park, write them at P.O. Box 945, International Falls, MN 56649.
Voyageurs often risked their lives to advance the fur trade. The enemy took the form of rival fur company representatives, unfriendly Indians, and nature's forces. They came to know the country well, and they, along with the Indians and lumberjacks, gave this region the bulk of its place-names, such as Grassy Portage, Lake Kabetogama, and Cutover Island. It is interesting to note that the park's names are predominantly water-related. Even today, the ridges and hilltops in Voyageurs National Park bear no name. Look out across the landscape and you will see the elements of the fur trade itself. The waters provided the "highway;" fur-bearing animals provided the goods; and the boundless forests provided the materials for the birch-bark canoe. The canoes were constructed of birch bark, cedar boughs, and cedar or spruce root bindings sealed with pitch. It was a skill developed by Native Americans and readily exploited by the European explorers. The canoes were light, easily navigable, and quickly repaired with native materials. For several generations the fur trade was the continent's biggest industry, returning investments up to 20-fold. One historian has described it as a vast empire held together by nothing stronger than birch bark.
There are no entrance fees for Voyageurs National Park, and there are currently no fees, permits, or reservation requirements for camping, which is on a first-come, first-served basis. The National Park Service provides, free of charge, boats and canoes on the following lakes: Locator, Quill, Ek, Cruiser, Little Shoepack, Brown and Peary. Watercrafts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made one week in advance at a park visitor center. To use the watercraft, fill out a visitor use agreement and pick up a key at a visitor center. Ask about arranging for water taxi serve to reach the trailheads. Visitor Centers Ash River Visitor Center Crane Lake Information Station Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Rainy Lake Visitor Center Return to National Parks Directory
This content is provided courtesy of Maptech¨.
Perfect for the active explorer, the Maptech National
Park Digital Guide is available for sale now. |
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Water
dominates the landscape of Voyageurs National Park. Within its boundaries,
more than 30 lakes fill glacier-carved rock basins. Four large lakes
- Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point - cover almost 40 percent
of the 218,054 acres of Voyageurs, making it one of the few water-dominated
parks in the National Parks Service system. Hundreds of rocky islands
and a myriad of coves and bays are scattered throughout these large
lakes. In the midst of all this water lies the Kabetogama Peninsula,
a 75,000-acre roadless landmass. The topography of the peninsula
and much of the rest of the park is rugged; rolling hills are interspersed
between bogs, beaver ponds, swamps, and smaller lakes.
Visitation
The
voyageurs character has been described as daring if not brave, knowledgeable
though uneducated. Above all, they were colorful. Understandably,
varying accounts of these men's lives exist. Daniel Harmon, a partner
in the North West Company, wrote of them in 1819: "...the Canadian
Voyageurs possess lively and fickle dispositions; and they are rarely
subject to depression of spirits of long continuance, even when
in circumstances the most adverse. Although what they consider good
eating and drinking constitutes their chief good, yet when necessity
compels them to it, they submit to great privation and hardship,
not only without complaining, but even with cheerfulness and gaiety...
Trifling provocations will often throw them into a rage." Harmon
also wrote, "but they are easily appeased when in anger, and
they never harbour a revengeful purpose against those by whom they
conceive that they have been injured."
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