Voyageurs National Park Travel Information
Mist creeps reluctantly back up the banks, retreating from some
dark blue satin stretch of water, chased by morning sunshine finally
into the forested shadows of some solitary island in this lake-soaked
region. Those who equate escape with a week of watery rest and
recovery won’t want to make too many detours en route to northern
Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park, a landscape almost more liquid
than land. Running right up to the Canadian border, this stretch of
American soil – and wet stuff – is within easy reach of major cities
like Duluth, a convenient get-away at the edge of Ontario. Not
surprisingly, this area is best explored, when the weather is fine and
lakes ice-free, using some sort of watercraft. Motor boats are
allowed here, a quick – and noisy – way to get around, and long stays
on the water aboard a houseboat, well equipped with creature comforts,
another popular option. Thought Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
is a quieter possibility for paddlers hoping to spot a bit of
wildlife, canoers and kayakers are also welcomed in Voyageurs;
equipment, canoes, and guides can be acquired at any of the four park
entrances. Organized tours are also available for guests
interested in learning more about area history, from ancient
pictographs to gold rush lore and rock gardens. When it’s time to test
land legs once more, consider hiking one of the trails meandering
through the park, including a 24-mile route, the Kabetogama-Ash River
Trail, linking two resorts in Voyageurs. Campsites are scattered
throughout the park, whether visitors are seeking one starry night of
campfire story-telling and northern lights gazing or seven. And lest
your forget to pack the s’mores, don’t despair – this is a top fishing
destination, and supper just a cast away. Winter, cold in this
neck of the woods, draws in a different crowd – cross-country skiers,
snowshoers and snowmobilers. This sort of gear can also be acquired
from local outfitters. The park is about three hour’s drive from
Duluth, five from the Minneapolis-St Paul area. The closest airport is
in International Falls, at the northwest edge of the park.
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