Where to Camp and What to See in Voyageurs National Park
Where to Camp and What to See in Voyageurs National Park
By Kate Fenske
Vast lakes and interconnected waterways define the dynamic landscapes of Voyageurs National Park. Unlike national parks with extensive road and trail networks, it’s best explored by houseboats, fishing boats, canoes or kayaks.
A couple hikers at Voyageurs National Park / Credit: Paul Vincent
Travelers don’t need to buy or bring their own boats, either. Local businesses in gateway communities offer a wide variety of rentals, enabling visitors to navigate the park’s stunning rock shorelines, abundant wildlife, and pristine beaches with a paddle or wheel in hand.
Voyageurs is home to five major lakes and 26 interior lakes, offering endless opportunities for a remote backcountry adventure or relaxed family getaway. Nearly every campsite in the park offers lakeside views and includes tent pads, a picnic table, a fire ring, a vault toilet and bear locker, ensuring a comfortable experience in the wilderness.
Here are some of our favorite stops and sites.
RAINY LAKE
Tour boat at Rainy Lake Visitor Center / John Connelly
One of Minnesota’s largest lakes, Rainy Lake is a paradise for anglers, history enthusiasts and winter adventurers. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center provides year-round access and gear rentals in the winter, making it a favorite visitor site.
Key stops include Little American Island, a historic gold mining site with mining shafts, machinery, and stories of the American gold rush era. Located near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, it can easily be visited with just a short boat ride or paddle.
Harry Oveson Fish Camp / Credit: Andrew Parks
With its stunning cliffs and hiking access to the interior of the Kabetogama Peninsula, Anderson Bay features some of the oldest rock formations in the entire continent — 2.8 million years old! For the fishing fanatics, Harry Oveson Fish Camp offers visitors a glimpse into the rustic charm and traditions of early fishing camps in Minnesota’s Northwoods.
Dryweed Island is an easily accessible campsite just a short distance from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center Boat Launch. If you seek solitude, campsites tucked into bays like Dove Bay, Whites Point, and Lost Bay offer scenic beauty and fantastic fishing right from your “front yard.”
KABETOGAMA LAKE
Ellsworth Rock Gardens at Kabetogama Lake / Credit: NPS
The next largest lake is Kabetogama, often referred to as “Kab” by locals and park rangers! Its Obijwe name (“Ga-bi'-togum-ag' za’ -ga-I-gun”) translates to “the lake that lies parallel or double with another lake,” referencing its neighbor, Rainy Lake.
The park’s most visited site is Ellsworth Rock Gardens, a breathtaking natural materials sculpture garden built in the 1940s. In winter, Kabetogama provides ice road access for premier snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and even a sledding hill – a true four-season destination!
Kab is a family-friendly destination with year-round access to frontcountry and backcountry campsites. Popular campsites include the Grassy Island Group in the northwest, which is perfect for island hopping. Sites along the peninsula like La Bonty’s Point and Northland offer easy access to the Locator Lake Trail.
NAMAKAN LAKE
Credit: Kettle Falls Hotel
Located in the heart of the park, Namakan Lake blends history, solitude, and wilderness, making it a favorite for those seeking quieter waters.
Kettle Falls Hotel and Dam is one of Voyageurs' most unique sites. Over 100 years old, this fully operational hotel, bar and restaurant is accessible only by water. The park service offers day tours from the Ash River and Rainy Lake visitor centers. Nearby Catamaran and Kettle Falls campsites are perfect for those not staying at the hotel.
Blind Indian Narrows is a great area for families, with multiple campsites close together and excellent island-hopping opportunities. Head to the Namakan Narrows to experience the park’s vast Indigenous History and view ancient Ojibwe pictographs. For true seclusion, Pike Bay and Leach Bay campsites are among the park’s most remote frontcountry options. The Ash River and Crane Lake gateway communities are the easiest access points to Namakan Lake.
SAND POINT & CRANE LAKES
Grassy Bay Cliffs at Voyageurs National Park / Credit: Paul Vincent
Sand Point and Crane lakes serve as gateways to Voyageurs’ vast wilderness. Heading north? To the west lies Voyageurs National Park; to the east, Quetico Provincial Park and the Canadian border; and to the south, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Take in stunning sights like King Williams Narrows and the towering Grassy Bay Cliffs, the highest point in the park. Browns Bay and Grassy Bay campsites are the closest overnight spots to the impressive rock formations.
Crane Lake will soon become an even bigger hub for exploration with the new Crane Lake Visitor Center opening in June 2025. Whether paddling into the heart of the region’s interconnected waterways or stopping to experience the new visitor center, Crane Lake is a must-visit for adventurers.
THE PROS OF PADDLING VOYAGEURS' INTERIOR LAKES
The Locator Lake Trail in Voyageurs National Park / Credit: NPS
Voyageurs’ 26 remote interior lakes offer unmatched solitude and fishing opportunities. These hidden gems provide a true backcountry experience, where visitors can paddle, hike, and camp on remote lakes, often having them entirely to themselves.
The Chain of Lakes route via the Locator Lake Trail is a convenient way to explore multiple backcountry lakes. The Cruiser Lake Trail, accessible from either side of the Kabetogama Peninsula, leads to the Shoepack Lakes, Cruiser Lake, Brown Lake, Beast Lake and Peary Lake. Backcountry campsites are nestled on the Kabetogama Peninsula’s interior lakes, accessible only by boat or water taxi.
Once you arrive, leave your watercraft behind. Each backcountry campsite includes an NPS canoe with your permit, so no portaging is required.
LAND-BASED OPTIONS
The Northern Lights make an appearance at Rainy Lake RV
The park does not offer drive-in camping, but there are opportunities to experience the park without a boat. Visitors can enjoy Park Service guided boat tours to scenic and historic sites, or explore the park’s hiking trails for a land-based adventure.
For drive-in camping, there are several great options just outside the park. Woodenfrog Campground, a state-run campground, offers excellent views of the park right on Lake Kabetogama. Ash River State Forest Campground is located near the Ash River entrance and visitor center. Echo Lake Campground is another great choice for a quieter, more remote stay just south of Crane Lake. The private, 32-acre Rainy Lake RV campground puts you in a prime location for exploring the park’s biggest body of water.
INSIDER TIPS & TRIPS
Two men take a boat through Voyageurs National Park / Credit: Paul Vincent
There is no entrance fee at the park’s entry points. While permits are not required for day-use sites, overnight campsites must be reserved through Recreation.gov (reservations open on November 15th).
Boat rentals and water taxis are available through local outfitters in the gateway communities.
THE STRENGTHS OF EVERY SEASON
Voyageurs National Park in the dead of winter / Abdiel Nieves
Spring is ideal for wildlife watching, including migrating birds. Summer is the peak season for boating, fishing, and camping; be prepared for insects! Fall is full of stunning foliage, fewer visitors, excellent fishing, and comfortable temperatures for hiking. Winter is a frozen wonderland for snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing.
For solitude and stargazing — remember: Voyageurs is an International Dark Sky Park — spring and fall offer clearer skies and longer nights. Check out more about seasonal changes here.
HOW TO CAMP RESPONSIBLY
Voyageurs National Park / Credit: Paul Vincent
Voyageurs National Park remains one of the most pristine places in the country, and it’s up to visitors to keep it that way by following leave no trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay at designated campsites to protect sensitive habitats, and always observe wildlife from a respectable distance.
Voyageurs offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in Minnesota’s Northwoods. Whether boating, exploring historic sites, or stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country, Voyageurs provides an adventure unlike any other.
Now is the perfect time to plan your adventure. Reserve a campsite, join a guided boat tour, or support conservation efforts to safeguard this special place. Help Voyageurs Conservancy preserve the park’s beauty and biodiversity for future generations. Make your visit meaningful and contribute to its lasting protection!
Learn more about Voyageurs National Park.
Kate Fenske is the Public Engagement Coordinator at Voyageurs Conservancy, the nonprofit partner of Voyageurs National Park. Growing up camping and hiking in Minnesota, Kate developed an early passion for protecting public lands and loves exploring national parks across the country — especially Voyageurs!