Voyageurs National Park guides
12 in-depth guides to Voyageurs National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Voyageurs National Park overview.
Water Taxis and Gateways Without a Boat
The water is the real way into this park: cars reach the visitor centers and many trails, while much of the park is best seen from a boat.
Ice-Out and Freeze-Up: Timing Your Trip
The lakes set the pace for the year here. The average ice-out date falls on May 3, but it shifts from one year to the next, and some lakes can stay ice-covered until mid-May.
A Park Built on Water: 500 Islands
Water covers roughly 84,000 acres of this park, and its shoreline runs 655 miles, much of it left undeveloped.
Grassy Bay Cliffs and Other Waterside Sights
The Grassy Bay Cliffs are one of the best known sights in the park. Grassy Bay is a large bay on the western side of Sand Point Lake, and it holds rich natural and cultural resources.
Walleye, Pike and Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Anglers in Voyageurs National Park often seek walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass first.
Winter on Frozen Lakes and Birch Forests
Winter transforms the park. When the lakes freeze and snow starts to fall, wide frozen lakes and forest blanketed in snow become the setting for everything from short walks to long days outdoors.
Northern Lights Over a Remote Dark Sky Park
Watching the northern lights from Voyageurs National Park comes down to a few checks before you head out.
Wolves, Moose and Tracks Across the Ice
Timber wolves live in Voyageurs National Park, and moose make their home here as well. Black bear and white-tailed deer also live in the park's forests, so wildlife is a big part of any visit.
Some of Earth's Oldest Rocks: 2.7 Billion Years
The bedrock across this area is part of the Canadian Shield, and most of it is between one and three billion years old, placing it among the most ancient rock found on the North American continent.
French-Canadian Voyageurs and the Park's 50 Years
Starting in the mid-1600s, French-Canadian voyageurs moved through the region's waterways, mostly by canoe, hauling furs and trade goods.
Boat-In Camping on 270 Lakeside Sites
Voyageurs National Park has more than 270 campsites, and all but two of them are reached by water.
Kabetogama's Trails: Locator Lake to Blind Ash
The Kab-Ash Trail is the park's long-distance option for backcountry hikers. It links the Kabetogama and Ash River communities through forests and wetlands, and four trailheads let you hike a smaller section or attempt a thru-hike.
