Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in
northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-
Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these abundant waters. Voyageurs
National Park provides exceptional opportunities for recreation and
exploration amidst landscapes rich in natural beauty, history, and cultural
heritage.

Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these abundant waters. Voyageurs National Park provides exceptional opportunities for recreation and exploration amidst landscapes rich in natural beauty, history, and cultural heritage.

## Overview

**** PLEASE READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO CAMP AT
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK ****

  *  **All frontcountry and backcountry campsites require travel by private watercraft or water taxi to access.**

  * **Click on any campsite name when searching sites to view boating distances.**

  * **You can type in a specific campsite or lake name when searching site availability.**

Voyageurs National Park has 143 frontcountry, 14 backcountry, and 2 primitive
campsites for visitors wanting an authentic Northwoods camping experience.

**PRIMITIVE CAMPSITES** (Red Pine & Blueberry Ridge) are the only campsites
that are located on the mainland and **DO NOT** require a boat to access. They
are hike-in sites along the Kab-Ash Trail and are equipped only with fire
rings and cleared areas for tents. Leave No Trace Principles apply in these
areas.

**FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPSITES** are located on the large lakes (Rainy, Kabetogama,
Namakan, Sandpoint).**You can boat directly to them** from any park visitor
center boat ramp. They offer fire rings, tent pads, picnic tables, bear
lockers for safe food storage, and outdoor privies.

**BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES** are located on the park's interior lakes and offer a
more remote and secluded camping experience consisting of fire rings, tenting
areas, an outdoor privy, a bear pole for safe food storage, and a canoe.
**These sites first require travel by private watercraft or local water taxi
service to a remote trailhead and then hiking up to several miles to the
backcountry lakes.** All backcountry campsite reservations include the use of
one canoe and an access code will be provided in your confirmation email. Some
campsites can be hiked to directly while others require paddling after hiking.
Canoes on backcountry lakes are provided by the park and remain stationed at
these lakes. **Personal watercrafts of any kind cannot be portaged into
backcountry** due to the threat of Aquatic Invasive Species.

  * **Chain of Lakes (Locator, War Club, Quill, and Loiten Lakes):** Reservations at these sites automatically include one canoe because a canoe is required to reach them. In this area only, up to 2 additional canoes can be added on a first come, first served basis to any camping reservation. 

  * **Shoepack & Little Shoepack Lakes:** The campsites on these two lakes come reserved together (for the cost of one) because the one canoe on Little Shoepack is required to reach the campsite on Little Shoepack and/or the portage to Shoepack Lake. Shoepack Lake has its own separate canoe - please leave the canoes on their respective lakes. 

  * **Ek, Agnes, Jorgens, Quarter Line, Cruiser, Brown, Peary, Oslo and Ryan Lakes:** These backcountry campsites can be hiked to directly after boating to a trailhead and have one canoe located at each site. 

**DAY USE BACKCOUNTRY CANOE RENTALS:** The Chain of Lakes is the only
backcountry area with an additional inventory of canoes that are available for
single day use. Use of these canoes first requires travel by private
watercraft or local water taxi service to the Locator trailhead and then
hiking two miles to where the rental canoes are stationed. To reserve a day
use canoe in the Chain of Lakes area, click on the Reserve Day Use Rentals
button on this page to view availability. To use the canoe at any other
backcountry site for day use, that campsite must be reserved for one
overnight.

**DAY USE & VISITOR DESTINATION SITES:** With 27 Day Use sites and 7 Visitor
Destination sites, Voyageurs National Park has plenty of areas to enjoy for
visitors who are out for a day trip on the lakes. Each Day Use site has picnic
tables, fire rings and vault privies, while the Visitor Destination sites
offer short trails with wayside exhibits, picnic areas and comfort stations.
No reservations are required for Day Use or Destination sites. You can view a
map of day use sites here .

**Keep Voyageurs National Park Wild for Future Generations:**The Voyageurs
Conservancy is the park's official nonprofit partner representing a community
of people who care about the ongoing stewardship of Voyageurs National Park.
VNPA works to fund projects and programs that will help sustain the park's
waters, wild character, and visitor experience for generations to come. Become
a member today , follow them on Facebook and Instagram , or sign up for their
e-newsletter .

## Recreation

From spring through fall, explore Voyageurs National Park on land by stopping
in at a visitor center or hiking any of our 52 miles (84 km) of scenic hiking
trails. To explore the vastness of the same lakes the Voyageurs and Ojibwe
Indians once traversed, leave your car behind and explore park waters by
kayak, canoe, sailboat, motorboat, houseboat or tour boat. Public boat launch
ramps are available at park visitor centers, the Crane Lake ranger station and
the two state forest campgrounds - Woodenfrog and Ash River.

With scheduled programs and boat tours, you can paddle a canoe on the
Voyageurs Highway, watch wildlife by day and stars by night, and explore
historic Kettle Falls Hotel, Hoist Bay and Ellsworth Rock Gardens. Check the
Things to Do page on the park website for a current list of these activities
and many more, or speak with a park ranger at one of the Voyageurs National
Park visitor centers. Many of our programs offer reservations. Visit the
Voyageurs National Park Tours or the Voyageurs National Park Special
Interpretive Programs pages (reservations are highly recommended for boat
tours).

## Facilities

Voyageurs National Park has three visitor centers, which offer area
information, exhibits, a park movie, bookstore, Junior Ranger programs, boat
ramps, hiking trials and more. All visitor centers are open daily in the
summer, and re open limited hours in the fall, winter, and spring.  
**Raniy Lake Visitor Center** (218) 286-5258  
**Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center** (218) 875-2111  
**Ash River Visitor Center** (218) 374-3221

## Natural Features

Voyageurs National Park is a land and water environment of great beauty,
exceptional natural and cultural resources, and abundant recreational
opportunities. Located in the lake-country of northern Minnesota, the park
protects 218,054 acres (88,243 ha) that include roughly 134,000 acres (54,227
ha) of forest, 84,000 acres (33,993 ha) of water, 655-miles (1,054 km) of
undeveloped shoreline, and hundreds of islands. The park's 55-mile (89 km)
northern boundary is the international border between the United States and
Canada and includes an important segment of the "transcontinental highway"
traversed by French-Canadian voyageurs during the late 1700s and early 1800s.

There are four distinct seasons in Voyageur country. The air is mild during
June, July, and August when periods of fine, warm weather prevail. The frost-
free season averages 120 days from June to mid-September. The average ice-out
date is May 3 but varies year to year. Annual precipitation (rain and snow)
averages 25-28 inches (63-71 cm) in the park and average snowfall ranges from
55-70 inches (140-180 cm), but is highly variable. The first measurable
snowfall occurs in late October and the last in late April or early May.

## Nearby Attractions

**Unique attractions near Voyaguers National Park:**  
  
The City of International Falls sits on the U.S.-Canada borde r, across from
Fort Frances, Ontario. You can have a picnic lunch in Smokey Bear Park, and
then tour the Bronko Nagurski Museam and Koochiching County Historical Museum,
which both sit on site. Don't forget to take a photo with the 26-foot statue
of Smokey the Bear himself - a well-known and beloved national symbol of fire
prevention and forest conservation. There are many unique businesses and shops
along main street, as well as some great coffee shops and restaurants. Heading
eastward out of town, you will pass the village of Ranier and numerous resorts
where you can find delicious lake-side dining, fishing guides, hotel and cabin
accomodations, houseboat rental companies and much more.

The Historic Port Village of Ranier is a quaint little community situa ted
right where Rainy Lake empties into the Rainy River underneath a cantilever-
style train bridge that spans from the U.S. into Canada. Here you will find
lodging, an RV park, a park and playground, a public beach, public docks,
delicous food, an ice cream parlor and a lakeside brewpub, all packed into one
small charming town of about 150 residents. Be sure to take a photo with Big
Vic, the 25-foot (8 m) tall statue of a French-Canadian voyageur, who stands
at the entrance to this unique little town.

The communites of Kabetogama , and Ash River , and Crane Lake are located 30
to 60 miles south of International Falls, and serve as gateways to the
southern district Voyageurs National Park. Be sure to stop and take a photo of
yourself "riding" the walleye statue at the entrance to Kabetogama on Highway
53.

## Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (218) 283-6650.

## Charges & Cancellations

**CANCELLATION POLICY:** Cancellations and/or modifications to an existing
reservation can easily be made online via your recreation.gov account. Log in
to your account, click on your name in the upper right, and select My
Reservations. Click on the "Modify or Cancel" button next to the reservation
needing to be changed. The national recreation.gov call center at (877)
444-6777 can also assist. You cannot call a park office to cancel a
reservation.

**THE FOLLOWING FEES APPLY:**

  * **Reservation system fee of $10 charged at time of reservation is non-refundable**
  * **Any change** (i.e. trip dates, campsite) to your reservation more than 3 days prior to your trip: No charge
  * **Any change** (i.e. trip dates, campsite) to your reservation less than 3 days prior to your trip: $10 service fee per 
  * **Cancel** reservation more than 3 days prior to arrival date: additional $10 cancellation fee; receive refund of remaining amenity fees
  * **Cancel** reservation less than 3 days prior to arrival date: additional $10 cancellation fee + forfeit first night’s fee; receive refund of remaining amenity fees
  * **Once permit has been printed** : No refund; printing your permit confirms your reservation and must be done within 5 days of your trip start date from the My Reservations section of your recreation.gov account
  * **Once trip dates have started** : No refund; if you are unable to make your trip, cancel your reservation in the My Reservations section of your recreation.gov account **before** your trip start date to be eligible for a refund

<h2>Overview</h2>
** PLEASE READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO CAMP AT VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK **<ul><li>All frontcountry and backcountry campsites require travel by private watercraft or water taxi to access.</li><li>Click on any campsite name when searching sites to view boating distances.</li><li>You can type in a specific campsite or lake name when searching site availability.</li></ul>Voyageurs National Park has 143 frontcountry, 14 backcountry, and 2 primitive campsites for visitors wanting an authentic Northwoods camping experience.  <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/primitive-camping.htm" rel="nofollow">PRIMITIVE CAMPSITES</a> (Red Pine & Blueberry Ridge) are the only campsites that are located on the mainland and DO NOT require a boat to access. They are hike-in sites along the Kab-Ash Trail and are equipped only with fire rings and cleared areas for tents. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/leavenotrace.htm" rel="nofollow">Leave No Trace Principles</a> apply in these areas.<a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/tent-camping.htm" rel="nofollow">FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPSITES</a> are located on the large lakes (Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sandpoint). You can boat directly to them from any park visitor center boat ramp. They offer fire rings, tent pads, picnic tables, bear lockers for safe food storage, and outdoor privies. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping-and-canoe-rentals.htm" rel="nofollow">BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES</a> are located on the park's interior lakes and offer a more remote and secluded camping experience consisting of fire rings, tenting areas, an outdoor privy, a bear pole for safe food storage, and a canoe. These sites first require travel by private watercraft or local water taxi service to a remote trailhead and then hiking up to several miles to the backcountry lakes. All backcountry campsite reservations include the use of one canoe and an access code will be provided in your confirmation email. Some campsites can be hiked to directly while others require paddling after hiking. Canoes on backcountry lakes are provided by the park and remain stationed at these lakes. Personal watercrafts of any kind cannot be portaged into backcountry due to the threat of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/learn/nature/aquatic-invasive-species.htm" rel="nofollow">Aquatic Invasive Species</a>.<ul><li>Chain of Lakes (Locator, War Club, Quill, and Loiten Lakes): Reservations at these sites automatically include one canoe because a canoe is required to reach them. In this area only, up to 2 additional canoes can be added on a first come, first served basis to any camping reservation.  </li><li>Shoepack & Little Shoepack Lakes: The campsites on these two lakes come reserved together (for the cost of one) because the one canoe on Little Shoepack is required to reach the campsite on Little Shoepack and/or the portage to Shoepack Lake. Shoepack Lake has its own separate canoe - please leave the canoes on their respective lakes. </li><li>Ek, Agnes, Jorgens, Quarter Line, Cruiser, Brown, Peary, Oslo and Ryan Lakes: These backcountry campsites can be hiked to directly after boating to a trailhead and have one canoe located at each site. </li></ul>DAY USE BACKCOUNTRY CANOE RENTALS: The Chain of Lakes is the only backcountry area with an additional inventory of canoes that are available for single day use. Use of these canoes first requires travel by private watercraft or local water taxi service to the Locator trailhead and then hiking two miles to where the rental canoes are stationed. To reserve a day use canoe in the Chain of Lakes area, click on the Reserve Day Use Rentals button on this page to view availability. To use the canoe at any other backcountry site for day use, that campsite must be reserved for one overnight.DAY USE & VISITOR DESTINATION SITES: With 27 Day Use sites and 7 Visitor Destination sites, Voyageurs National Park has plenty of areas to enjoy for visitors who are out for a day trip on the lakes. Each Day Use site has picnic tables, fire rings and vault privies, while the Visitor Destination sites offer short trails with wayside exhibits, picnic areas and comfort stations. No reservations are required for Day Use or Destination sites. You can view a map of day use sites <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/maps.htm" rel="nofollow">here</a> .Keep Voyageurs National Park Wild for Future Generations: <a href="http://www.voyageurs.org/" rel="nofollow">The Voyageurs Conservancy</a> is the park's official nonprofit partner representing a community of people who care about the ongoing stewardship of Voyageurs National Park. VNPA works to fund projects and programs that will help sustain the park's waters, wild character, and visitor experience for generations to come. <a href="https://www.voyageurs.org/join" rel="nofollow">Become a member today</a> , follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VoyageursNPA/" rel="nofollow">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/voyageursnpa/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a> , or <a href="https://voyageurs.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=9c918f66b2&u=24ac5a1762e07464a08a98737" rel="nofollow">sign up for their e-newsletter</a> .<h2>Recreation</h2>
From spring through fall, explore Voyageurs National Park on land by stopping in at a visitor center or hiking any of our 52 miles (84 km) of scenic hiking trails. To explore the vastness of the same lakes the Voyageurs and Ojibwe Indians once traversed, leave your car behind and explore park waters by kayak, canoe, sailboat, motorboat, houseboat or tour boat. Public boat launch ramps are available at park visitor centers, the Crane Lake ranger station and the two state forest campgrounds - Woodenfrog and Ash River.
With scheduled programs and boat tours, you can paddle a canoe on the Voyageurs Highway, watch wildlife by day and stars by night, and explore historic Kettle Falls Hotel, Hoist Bay and Ellsworth Rock Gardens. Check the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/things2do.htm" rel="nofollow">Things to Do</a> page on the park website for a current list of these activities and many more, or speak with a park ranger at one of the Voyageurs National Park visitor centers. Many of our programs offer reservations. Visit the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/233405" rel="nofollow">Voyageurs National Park Tours</a> or the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10091243" rel="nofollow">Voyageurs National Park Special Interpretive Programs</a> pages (reservations are highly recommended for boat tours). 
<h2>Facilities</h2>
Voyageurs National Park has three visitor centers, which offer area information, exhibits, a park movie, bookstore, Junior Ranger programs, boat ramps, hiking trials and more. All visitor centers are open daily in the summer, and re open <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/hours.htm" rel="nofollow">limited hours</a> in the fall, winter, and spring. Raniy Lake Visitor Center (218) 286-5258 Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center (218) 875-2111 Ash River Visitor Center (218) 374-3221
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Voyageurs National Park is a land and water environment of great beauty, exceptional natural and cultural resources, and abundant recreational opportunities. Located in the lake-country of northern Minnesota, the park protects 218,054 acres (88,243 ha) that include roughly 134,000 acres (54,227 ha) of forest, 84,000 acres (33,993 ha) of water, 655-miles (1,054 km) of undeveloped shoreline, and hundreds of islands. The park's 55-mile (89 km) northern boundary is the international border between the United States and Canada and includes an important segment of the "transcontinental highway" traversed by French-Canadian voyageurs during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
There are four distinct seasons in Voyageur country. The air is mild during June, July, and August when periods of fine, warm weather prevail. The frost-free season averages 120 days from June to mid-September. The average ice-out date is May 3 but varies year to year. Annual precipitation (rain and snow) averages 25-28 inches (63-71 cm) in the park and average snowfall ranges from 55-70 inches (140-180 cm), but is highly variable. The first measurable snowfall occurs in late October and the last in late April or early May.

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Unique attractions near Voyaguers National Park: <a href="https://www.rainylake.org/" rel="nofollow">The City of International Falls</a> sits on the U.S.-Canada borde r, across from Fort Frances, Ontario. You can have a picnic lunch in Smokey Bear Park, and then tour the Bronko Nagurski Museam and Koochiching County Historical Museum, which both sit on site. Don't forget to take a photo with the 26-foot statue of Smokey the Bear himself - a well-known and beloved national symbol of fire prevention and forest conservation. There are many unique businesses and shops along main street, as well as some great coffee shops and restaurants. Heading eastward out of town, you will pass the village of Ranier and numerous resorts where you can find delicious lake-side dining, fishing guides, hotel and cabin accomodations, houseboat rental companies and much more.
<a href="https://raniermn.govoffice2.com/index.asp?SEC=8C7F4705-6004-4012-A933-82546C0F4F96&Type=B_LOC" rel="nofollow">The Historic Port Village of Ranier</a> is a quaint little community situa ted right where Rainy Lake empties into the Rainy River underneath a cantilever-style train bridge that spans from the U.S. into Canada. Here you will find lodging, an RV park, a park and playground, a public beach, public docks, delicous food, an ice cream parlor and a lakeside brewpub, all packed into one small charming town of about 150 residents. Be sure to take a photo with Big Vic, the 25-foot (8 m) tall statue of a French-Canadian voyageur, who stands at the entrance to this unique little town. 
The communites of <a href="https://kabetogama.com/" rel="nofollow">Kabetogama</a> , and <a href="https://ashriver.com/" rel="nofollow">Ash River</a> , and <a href="https://www.visitcranelake.com/" rel="nofollow">Crane Lake</a> are located 30 to 60 miles south of International Falls, and serve as gateways to the southern district Voyageurs National Park. Be sure to stop and take a photo of yourself "riding" the walleye statue at the entrance to Kabetogama on Highway 53. 

<h2>Contact Info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (218) 283-6650.<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations and/or modifications to an existing reservation can easily be made online via your recreation.gov account. Log in to your account, click on your name in the upper right, and select My Reservations. Click on the "Modify or Cancel" button next to the reservation needing to be changed. The national recreation.gov call center at (877) 444-6777 can also assist. You cannot call a park office to cancel a reservation.   
THE FOLLOWING FEES APPLY:
<ul>
<li>Reservation system fee of $10 charged at time of reservation is non-refundable</li>
<li>Any change (i.e. trip dates, campsite) to your reservation more than 3 days prior to your trip: No charge</li>
<li>Any change (i.e. trip dates, campsite) to your reservation less than 3 days prior to your trip: $10 service fee per </li>
<li>Cancel reservation more than 3 days prior to arrival date: additional $10 cancellation fee; receive refund of remaining amenity fees</li>
<li>Cancel reservation less than 3 days prior to arrival date: additional $10 cancellation fee + forfeit first night’s fee; receive refund of remaining amenity fees</li>
<li>Once permit has been printed: No refund; printing your permit confirms your reservation and must be done within 5 days of your trip start date from the My Reservations section of your recreation.gov account</li>
<li>Once trip dates have started: No refund; if you are unable to make your trip, cancel your reservation in the My Reservations section of your recreation.gov account before your trip start date to be eligible for a refund</li>
</ul>

**Reservation Fee:** $10 (non-refundable) per transaction.  
**Camping Use Fee:** See Facility Rates section (above).

**Entrance Fee:** Voyageurs National Park does not charge an entrnace fee.  

**HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION:** Book reservations can be made online or through
the call center at (877) 444-6777 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. CST March 1 -
October 31, and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST November 1- February 28.

  * Reservations for peak seasons (Friday before Minnesota fishing opener through October 15) go on sale the previous November 15th at 9:00 a.m. CST. 
  * Reservations for non-peak seasons (October 16 through the Thursday before MN fishing opener) go on sale the previous April 15th at 9:00 a.m. CST.

Map of all campsites on the west side of Rainy Lake. All campsites must be accessed by water.

A map depicts the location of each campsite on the west side of Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible.

Map of all backcountry campsites in Voyageurs. All campsites must be accessed by water. Backcountry campers should expect to boat across Kabetogama, Namakan, or Rainy Lake, then hike and/or paddle a canoe located on one of the small interior lakes to get to their campsite.

A map depicts the location of each backcountry campsite in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible, and some of which also require hiking and/or paddling once the large lakes are crossed.

Map of all campsites on the east side of Rainy Lake. All campsites must be accessed by water.

A map depicts the location of each campsite on the east side of Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible.

Campsite on Rainy Lake

Map showing all campsites in Voyageurs National Park. Remember, all campsites must be accessed by water.

A map depicts each the location of each campsite in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible.

Marrs Point Campsite on Kabetogama Lake

Map of all campsites on Namakan Lake. All campsites must be accessed by water.

A map depicts each the location of each campsite on Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible.

Map of all campsites on Kabetogama Lake. All campsites must be accessed by water.

A map depicts each the location of each campsite on Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible.

Looking out from a campsite onto the waters of Voyageurs National Park.

A fire ring, picnic table, and metal, bear-proof food locker on a rock outcrop, surrounded by a large, scenic lake.

Map of all campsites on Sand Point Lake and on the north end of Crane Lake. All campsites must be accessed by water.

A map depicts the location of each campsite on Sand Point Lake and Crane Lake in Voyageurs National Park--all of which are only water-accessible.

Campsites have tent pads to stake out your tent on and get a good nights sleep.

Square tent pad surrounded by trees and a scenic lake.

Lost Bay Campsite on Kabetogama Lake

Campsites in Voyageurs National Park include fire rings, picnic tables, privy and food storage lockers. Some campsites also have docks.

View of a grassy campsite surrounded by trees with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-proof metal food locker.

Looking out onto Kabetogama Lake from a campsite on Cutover Island

Kabetogama Lake Group Campsite docking facilities

Aerial view of the Kabetogama Lake Group campsite with three large docks overlooking a large, scenic lake.

Kayaking in quiet areas of Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park Camping Permits

Voyageurs National Park

The Locator Chain Of Lakes located in the backcountry of Voyageurs National Park

Aerial view of a series of Voyageurs' backcountry lakes flowing into each other, surrounded by forest land.

Large campsite on Rainy Lake

Female Ranger canoeing in the backcountry

Voyageurs National Park

Directions

Reviews

Campgrounds

Voyageurs National Park Camping Permits