Voyageurs National Park

We have a goal to see all the National Parks and Voyageurs is one of the closest for us to visit. Voyageurs is located near International Falls, Minnesota and 218,000 acres of lakes, forests and streams but consists mostly of water. Since the park is water based you will either need a boat, kayak or canoe in the summer and snowmobile, skis or snowshoes in the winter.

We chose not to camp on an island since we were advised that October is not the best time of year for canoeing since there is a lot of big open water and is known for being rough this time of year. There are only 2 campsites on the main land that you have to hike to so we chose to stay at the “Blueberry Ridge site”.

It was about a 2 mile hike to our site through rocky terrain and a lot of exposed roots. It is recommended to have something like the “Alltrails” app or some other way to track your location and to make sure you stay on the trail because it can be hard to tell at times which way the trail goes. We originally planned to stay 2 nights at this site but the first night as we settled into our tent for the night it started thundering and lightning. Since this site is a open spot on top of a rocky ridge we thought it was safest to hike back down in the dark and get a hotel room in International Falls.

There are a few trails that you can access from the main road when visiting the Ash River Visitor Center. We hiked the Beaver Pond Outlook trail, Blind - Ash Bay Trail and the Forest Over look Trail. None of these trails would be considered easy and not for people with bad knees or bad balance. Here is the full list of trails on both land and on islands.

If your interested in reserving a campsite you can do that here.

There is plenty of wildlife here if your lucky enough to see it! Voyageurs is home to moose, black bears, bald eagles, loons, grouse and wolves just to name a few. If your interested in seeing the northern lights this is a great place to see them if the sky’s are clear and conditions are right.

If your interested in visiting voyageurs and don’t have your own boat, canoe or kayaks there are plenty of businesses that offer these services to rent or they can offer rides to and from your site. Here is a list of resources for fishing guides, water taxis, boat tours, rentals and hotels/ lodging. A house boat would be a really unique way to explore Voyageurs if your not interested in camping. It is recommended to use some type of topography map as there are a lot of big rocks and you can’t always see them and risk wrecking you boat or getting stuck on one. There a many nautical or marine maps and apps you can use also.

If your looking to stay somewhere unique you can catch a boat to the “Kettle Falls Hotel”. You can only get to it by water and is located on the Minnesota/Canada border. It was built between 1910 and 1913 and filled with over a hundred years of history. From the Ojibwe fishing, French Canadian fur traders, gold mining of rainy lake, photos of lumberjacks transporting thousands of logs, tales from the prohibition era and more! When we come back again I will definitely plan to stay here a night! Click here to book a stay at the truly unique hotel.

Other things to do in the area:

Boundary Waters - If you enjoy kayaking and canoeing check out the boundary waters. paddle through pristine lakes, surrounded by towering pines and wilderness. With 1.1 million acres, 1,175 lakes and 2000 campsites there is no shortage of places to explore in the boundary waters.

North Shore Scenic Drive - This route offers sweeping views of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscape. It’s an ideal way to experience the beauty of the north without strenuous activities. You can take advantage of pull offs to stop and take pictures and enjoy the scenery and unique rock formations.

Split Rock Light House State Park - one of Minnesota’s most picturesque destinations. The iconic lighthouse, perched on a cliff, offers stunning views of Lake Superior. It’s a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

International Wolf Center - The International Wolf Center uses science-based education to teach and inspire the world about wolves, their ecology, and the wolf-human relationship. This program started in 1985 and found its permanent home in Ely, Minnesota in the heart of the largest gray wolf population in the United States. Come check out the wolves and learn about these incredible animals.

Birdwatching at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge- If your interested in birds this is the perfect place to stop. Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge consists of 61,500 acres of wetland and upland habitat. This a globally important bird area with 298 bird species recorded. Bird watching is best during migration times in the spring and fall. It is one of the 50 best places in U.S. to observe a diversity of birds and mammals and one of 100 best places in North America to observe birds. Moose, wolves, river otters and fishers are unique to this area.

North Shore Scenic Railroad - Learn about the history of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin while riding a vintage train and taking in the beautiful scenery. The trains depart from Duluth and offer different packages to choose from.

There are endless opportunities to explore in northern Minnesota. Whether you like history, art, or nature you will not be disappointed!