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Voyageurs National Park, photo 1 of 5

Photo: National Park Service / Public domain · source

Lakes & rivers

Voyageurs National Park

International Falls, MN · Northern MinnesotaFreeFree to enter; boat tours and camping cost extra

About

Nearly every campsite in Voyageurs National Park, near International Falls in northern Minnesota, is reached by boat, and none can be driven to. If you haven't brought a boat, take a ranger-led tour (they typically run mid-June through September); the 6.5-hour Kettle Falls Cruise on Rainy Lake spends about two hours at the dam and the Kettle Falls Hotel, which has served travelers since 1913. The lakes usually freeze in November. In winter, ice roads run on Rainy and Kabetogama lakes, open to cars and trucks under 7,000 pounds. For stargazing, the park names two spots: Meadwood Road Day Use Area, on the road to the Ash River Visitor Center, and the upper parking lot at Rainy Lake Visitor Center.

Highlights

Four large lakes, by boat or houseboatCertified International Dark Sky ParkWalleye and northern pike fishingKettle Falls Hotel, since 1913Ice roads on Rainy and Kabetogama

Getting there

1797 Township Road 342, International Falls, MN 56649

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