Set along the border lakes between Minnesota and Canada, the Voyageurs National Park is one of the few parks in the national park system which is oriented almost entirely to water. To see it properly, or indeed to grasp its immense beauty at all, you need to leave your car behind and venture into the wild by boat. Once out on the lakes, you will begin to understand the great, silent world that this park really is.
The park has varied wildlife. Kingfishers, osprey, and eagles swoop down for their share of the abundant walleye. Moose and bear wander along the banks. The lakes also feature northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and lake trout. Sunrise and sunset in this magnificent place have inspired poets and photographers alike.
You can’t do justice to Voyageurs on a day trip. Daily cruises from Rainy Lake visitor center, ten miles east of International Falls, do at least allow a peek at the lake country. However, if you’re here for a few more days, rent a boat and camp out. The best way to experience the park is to camp out on one of its many scattered islands, most plentiful around Crane Lake. However, if you’re not the adventurous kind, there are many resorts in and around Kabetogama.
Do remember that it’s easy to get lost in this maze of islands and rocky outcrops, and unseen dangers lurk beneath the surface. If you’re unsure, hire a guide for the first day. Check mercury levels in the fish before eating them, boil drinking water, and watch out for bears.
Lodging near Voyageurs
KETTLE FALLS HOTEL & RESORT
The Kettle Falls Hotel & Resort offers rooms furnished with antiques and single or double beds with three centrally located bathrooms.
ASH TRAIL LODGE
The new Lodge and cabins are situated on a level, clean grounds. The bay running through the resort allows protected, private docking for most of the cabins.
GRAND VIEW RESORT CABINS
These cabins and grounds are exceptionally clean and well kept. You will walk in and feel immediately comfortable and at home.
VOYAGEUR PARK LODGE
The Cottages all have decks with charcoal grills and deck furniture and at least one friendly chipmunk. Northwood style interiors with complete 3 piece baths and full kitchens.
VOYAGAIRE LODGE AT CRANE LAKE
Come north and experience spectacular sunsets and a network of crystal blue never-ending waterways. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the unique beauty of Crane Lake at Voyagaire Lodge. This fine facility is nestled amongst towering pine trees and miles of pristine northern Minnesota natural shoreline.
Minnesota Information
Minnesota, the twelfth largest state of the USA is also the 21st most populous in the nation. Located in the Midwestern region, Minnesota has Saint Paul as the capital city with Minneapolis being its largest city. Bloomington, Rochester, and Duluth are the other well-known cities. Minnesota is divided into 87 counties and shares its border with Canadian land and the US states of Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Five major rivers namely, Minnesota, Rainy, Mississippi, Red River of the North and the St. Croix River flow on the state’s territory, while innumerable lake bodies give Minnesota the nickname of “The land of 10,000 lakes”. Nature’s treasures are abundant in this state which boasts of about 72 state parks and more than 50 state forests. Though Voyageurs National Park is Minnesota’s only national park, there are several wildlife preserves.
Outdoor recreation is a popular pastime with the residents of Minnesota, who love physical activity and tourists will find no dearth of facilities for participating in water sports, water skiing, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and biking, etc. Minnesota Zoological Gardens, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Kensington Runestone carvings, Walker Art Center and the picturesque 24-mile North Shore Drive along Lake Superior are some of the big tourist attractions of this state. Another celebrated location is the Mall of America in Bloomington which is a massive mall spread over 9.5 million square feet (880,000 square meters).