Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park: 24 hours in Minnesota’s Wilderness
We spent one perfect day road tripping from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park! This park gives visitors the best of what Minnesota has to offer: lakes, forests, loons, and even the potential to see the northern lights!
You should probably spend at least a week visiting Voyageurs National Park. It takes a lot of time to explore the park’s 900 chain of lakes. But if you’re newbies like us, one full day will be just enough. So if you’re visiting soon and want to learn about the history of the park, camping spots, where to stay, and what to do at Voyageurs National Park – all in 24 hours (or less!) – this post is for you!
Brief Overview of Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota
Established: April 8, 1975
Voyageurs National Park is located 12 miles east of International Falls, MN or 284 miles north of Minneapolis – St. Paul
Square Miles: 341
Acres: 218,200 acres
Average Annual Visitors: 232,000
Rank in popularity: 51
Why it’s famous: Park visitors will experience a boater’s paradise. The park contains over 900 islands and 30 lakes. In fact, there are only 8 miles of roads in the entire park! The park feels remote and rugged. It’s much like the boundary waters canoe area wilderness.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit the park would ideally be in Summer and Fall. Because the park is so far north, winter arrives early and stays a bit later, which makes navigating the lakes challenging.
Distance from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park
Driving to Voyageurs by Car
Voyageurs is located 284 miles north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport (MSP). The two primary roads you will take are i-35 and highway 53. From the Twin Cities, you will i-35N to Cloquet (just east of Duluth). You will then take highway 33 and highway 53 through Virginia, finally arriving at Voyageurs National Park. On most days (except for cabin traffic weekends), the park is 4 to 5 hours away.
Flying to Voyageurs by Plane
Although we did not take this route, it’s good to know that you can arrive by plane. The best airport to fly into would be the Falls International Airport located in Koochiching County, MN. Prices will range from the low $200s to the high $500s and the flight will take you approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. And you’ll need to grab a rental car from the airport.
Living in Minnesota ourselves, we can’t imagine we’d ever take this flight. But if you’re coming from out-of-town, it could be worth the extra couple hundred bucks to avoid the drive! That being said, the drive is spectacular as the entire route is lined with trees and forest.
Voyageurs National Park Map
Voyageurs National Park’s unique chain of lakes span 218,000 acres across northern Minnesota. It has 5 large lakes, connected through various islands:
- Rainy Lake to the far north (nearest to Canada)
- Kabetogama Lake in the center of the park
- Namakan Lake to the east
- Sand Point Lake in the southeast
- Crane Lake is the furthest southeastern point
For this particular park, I would definitely recommend grabbing a navigation map at a ranger station before adventuring into the park. It’s mostly water ways, so you will definitely need a map to get around the park!
Check out this overview map of Voyageurs National Park
We spent most of our time on Lake Kabetogama, which was lovely!
Visitor Centers
There are three visitor centers within Voyageurs National Park. We got to check out two of them (Kabetogama and Ash River), but the Rainy Lake visitor center will be worth going back to!
Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Located in International Falls, MN, the Rainy Lake Visitor Center serves as a gateway to the park’s north side. Here you can explore interactive exhibits and talk to knowledgeable park rangers. They will provide invaluable insights into the park’s ecosystems, history, and the significance of Rainy Lake.
Kabetogama Visitor Center
This visitor center is in the middle of the park and offers the most access for traveling to the various campsites on the lake. You can find rangers here as well to give you updates on park conditions for the day.
Ash River Visitor Center
The Ash River Visitor Center blends history, adventure, and natural splendor. It pays homage to the park’s cultural heritage and provides a treasure trove of resources for activities like fishing and wildlife watching.
Camping in Voyageurs National Park
One of the best (and only) ways to experience Voyageurs is by camping in the park. We camped at campsite K53 on Sphunge Islands. This was admittedly the closest possible site from the Kabetogama visitor center (don’t laugh!), but it was a fantastic introduction to the type of experiences possible at Voyageurs.
The park is 95% water-based, which means that the only way to get around is by boat, canoe, or kayaking. This was our first time visiting and we do not have much experience traveling across lakes. So this site felt like it stretched us from our comfort zone while actually not being very far. The ride to our site was about 45 minutes of steady paddling!
Types of Campsites Available
Spread throughout the park are small campsites, large campsites, and day-use sites. There is also something called Backcountry Camping at Voyageurs National Park. A backcountry trip at Voyageurs is defined as a backpacking trip into a lake on the Kabetogama peninsula.
Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Rental
Voyageurs National Park offers houseboat rentals. These rentals allow visitors to explore the park’s stunning waterways and enjoy a unique outdoor experience. The houseboats are well-equipped and provide all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. With the ability to navigate the park’s interconnected lakes and channels, visitors can easily access remote areas and discover the park’s natural beauty.
Depending on the intensity of your trip, you can decide which type of camping experience you want to have. Whichever option you choose, you will still be in for a treat. Our campsite was lovely, overlooking a lake with ducks and fish swimming by all day.
Permits, Reservation, and Fees
There is no fee to enter Voyageurs National Park and the park is open year-round! But depending on the season, you’ll have to check to see which lake visitor center is open.
Frontcountry and Backcountry permit prices vary:
- $10 per night during Low Use Season (October 16 through May 14)
- $22-$60 per night during High Use Season (May 15 through October 15)
- There is a $10 reservation service fee for every transaction.
So, in total you are looking at $20 to $80 per night to camp at Voyageurs National Park. Not bad for a prime national park site.
Look into reservations directly at Voyageurs here: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/249981
Always check the National Park Service Website for the most up-to-date information
Essential camping gear and packing list
It’s important to think about the various gear you will need to pull off a camping trip at Voyageurs National Park. Here’s a short list of everything we brought and why:
| Items | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Canoe | The only way to get around |
| Paddles | Essential for canoeing |
| Life Vests (x2) | Safety on the water |
| MSR Pot | Boiling water for food |
| Propane | Fuel for MSR pot |
| Lighter | To start our propane fire |
| Water Filter | For filtering lake water to drink/use |
| AeroPress | For coffee – essential for Katie ? |
| Backpacks (x2) | While hiking |
| Tent | For shelter – essential |
| Sleeping Pads (x2) | For slight comfort on the ground |
| Sleeping Bags (x2) | Warmth |
| Waterproof Bags | Stuffed ALL our gear in these bags |
| Bear Spray | Chances of seeing a bear are low, but not zero! |
| Head Bug Nets (x2) | To fight off mosquitos |
| Hats | Avoid sunburnt face |
| Bug Spray | Again, fight off mosquitos |
| Sun Screen | Avoid sunburn |
| Sun Glasses | While on the water |
| Waterproof Shoes & Hiking Boots | Avoid wet socks |
| Bowls & Utensils | For eating |
| Playing Cards | Entertainment |
| Printed Reservations | Reservation info |
There’s a lot to consider for a camping trip. You’ll want a big enough car that can carry all your stuff.
What We Did at Voyageurs National Park
Ash River Visitor Center
We drove directly to the Ash River visitor center and arrived at 9am – right when it opened. Then we connected with a ranger, picked up some stickers and postcards, and planned our first hike. We wanted to be sure to hit the visitor center early in the morning before heading out on the water!
Voyageurs National Park Sign
A ranger told us that we had to see the only Voyageurs National Park sign located within the park! So we took the very short walk from behind the visitor center down to a rocky shore where we snapped this picture!
Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail
Next, we hiked the Kabetogama Lake Overlook hiking trail. This relatively short hike (2.5 miles round trip) took us about an hour to complete. We were able to see the incredible overlook and marvel at the lakes. Most of the hike is through a dense forest area, so be sure to wear waterproof boots, long pants, and bring your bug spray! We admittedly forgot ours (not sure how), but a friendly couple let us use theirs.
Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
Next we drove up to the Kabetogama visitor center, which was about 30 minutes from Ash River. This is where we’d launch from. We stopped by the visitor center to ask some questions about the weather forecast (one of our best tips!) and then we prepared ourselves for the ride over! This included taking the canoe down from our car, re-packing our bags, and triple checking that we had everything.
Camping at Sphunge Islands
The rest of our time was spent camping at Sphunge Islands. Our site was about a 45 minute ride from the visitor center and we (thankfully) had calm waters. The site itself was pristine with two pads for setting up the tent, a couple of bear safe canisters, a table for eating, and an area for firewood if we wanted it.
The rest of the day and night were spent exactly how camping trips are meant to be spent – doing a whole lot of nothing. We explored around our section of the island, took a swim in the lake, played some card games, made some food, packed our non-essential gear away, and relaxed in the quiet of the lakes. It was lovely.
Things to do in Voyageurs National Park (for next time!)
There is a lot we did not get the chance to do. This falls outside of our 24 hour experience, but after lots of research, these are three things we’d go back for or make sure to do next time!
Ellsworth Rock Gardens
These captivating gardens were created by Jack Ellsworth, who spent over 20 years meticulously arranging rocks into intricate sculptures and structures. Walking through the garden feels like stepping into a whimsical wonderland. Take your time to admire the artistry and creativity of Ellsworth’s work while enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding nature.
Kettle Falls
This powerful waterfall cascades down a series of granite rocks, creating a breathtaking sight. Take a boat tour, rent a boat, or hike to the overlook area to get a panoramic view of this natural wonder. The Kettle Falls Hotel, a historic hotel overlooking the falls, offers comfortable accommodations for those who want to book a stay and fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the area.
Northern Lights
Voyageurs National Park is one of the prime locations to witness the captivating phenomenon of the Northern Lights. We did not get a clear night, but the dark skies of the park are definitely one of the things to see during your trip. To increase your chances of catching this mesmerizing celestial display, plan your visit during fall or winter when the nights are longer and darker.
Start Planning Your Trip from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park
Although this place is one of the least visited national parks in the country, we are SO glad we went! And being from Minnesota, a trip to Voyageurs National Park from Minneapolis was fairly easy. It’s one of the most unique and one of the most beautiful parks we’ve been to. We were constantly surrounded by forested areas, which truly helped us enjoy the beauty.
It is one of the best places for campers. Rugged sites. Boating. Lakes and forests. Voyageurs is fantastic. With some planning and tips from this guide, we hope you can get out on the water and take a trip to Voyageurs!
And if you’re in the area and want to say hey, let us know! You can always connect with us by emailing [email protected].
