17 Best Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park

Planning a visit to Minnesota’s only national park is a must-do if you’re taking a trip up to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. 

With nearly half of the park underwater, you can fully experience why Minnesota has been given this nickname with all of these great things to do in Voyageurs National Park.

Whether you’re a Minnesota native planning a visit for the first time, or someone who’s working to check off every US national park, there are plenty of great reasons to add Voyageurs National Park to your bucket list.

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Best Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park – Table Of Contents

• Visit Ellsworth Rock Garden
• See Kettle Falls
• Stay at Kettle Falls Hotel
• Go Fishing Year Round
• Watch the Sunrise over Kabetogama Lake
• Boat on the Many Lakes
• Go Kayaking or Canoeing
• Hike on the Miles of Trails
• See the Leaves Changing Color in the Fall
• Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife
• Spend the Night Camping
• Walk to Beaver Bay Overlook
• Visit the Visitor Centers
• Rent a Houseboat
• Admire the Grassy Bay Cliffs
• Take a Boat Tour
• Look for the Northern Lights
• Things To Do In Voyageurs National Park FAQ

1. Visit Ellsworth Rock Garden

The Ellsworth Rock Garden was created back in the 1940s by a self-taught artist. It’s made from natural elements from Minnesota nature, such as rocks, greenery, trees, and flowers.

There are several flower beds that are home to thousands of flower varieties that bloom in the summer months.

Along with the flowers, there are unique rock sculptures in the garden to enjoy.

Some of the sculptures are large rocks balanced on smaller ones, while others are rock tablets placed strategically throughout the space.

The garden sits right along Kabetogama Lake, so you can enjoy the beautiful views of the lake as you wander through the garden. It is one of the top things to do in Voyageurs National Park.

The garden is only accessible by boat, and you can book a tour to see it.

2. See Kettle Falls

Minnesota is home to plenty of waterfalls, each of which is unique in its own way.

And Voyageurs National Park has its very own waterfall, Kettle Falls, located near Kettle Falls Hotel, and only accessible by boat.

The waterfall is within a dam and is fairly small, compared to others within the state, but it’s still worthwhile to see during a visit.

It’s also located right next to the Kettle Falls hotel, which is another of the best things to see in Voyageurs National Park.

3. Stay at Kettle Falls Hotel

As the only lodging option located within the boundaries of Voyageurs National Park, a stay at Kettle Falls Hotel is a unique experience.

The red-roofed building was built back in the early 1900s and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can’t drive to the hotel! The only way to reach it is by boat or float plane. The hotel also offers ferry options to reach it, which you can book when you book your room. This makes it one of the truly unique things to do in Voyageurs National Park.

Note: It is only open during the summer months, so be sure to plan a trip here between May and September to experience the Kettle Falls Hotel!

4. Go Fishing Year Round

Love fishing? You are in luck! This is one of the top things to do in Voyageurs National Park.

Fishing is a top activity for locals and visitors to Minnesota since there are so many beautiful lakes spread across the state.

Within Voyageurs National Park, there are plenty of different opportunities for fishing in the 30+ named lakes.

There are over 50 species of fish within the lakes, including some of the state’s most popular, walleye, northern pike, and bass.

And one of the best parts about fishing is that it can be done year-round. Fish on a boat or off of a dock during the summer, or head out onto the ice for ice fishing in winter.

Yes! This is one of the things to do in Voyageurs National Park that is not dependent on the change of season!

5. Watch The Sunrise Over Kabetogama Lake

The largest lake in Voyageurs National Park, Kabetogama Lake, is one of 4 major chain lakes, that connect right to Canada.

While there are plenty of different activities in Voyageurs National Park that allow you to get on the lake, one of the best is watching the sunset or sunrise over Kabetogama Lake.

There are plenty of places around the water, such as overlooks, that give a great view over the horizon to watch the sun come up or go down.

It’s the perfect way to end a long day of exploring the park. Trust me, this is one of the things to do in Voyageurs National park that is great whether you’ve run your feet ragged on the trails or not!

6. Boat on the Many Lakes

One of the top things to do in Voyageurs National Park is to go boating!

A fun fact about Minnesota, it that there are over 10,000 lakes here. And with so many lakes right within the park, one of the best things to do in Voyageurs National Park is to boat on them.

Many people drive for miles and miles to get onto the many lakes within the park, including Kabetogama and Rainy Lake.

You can rent a boat from Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting, and then take it out on the water for a day of boating, fishing, swimming, and enjoying the summer sun.

7. Go Kayaking or Canoeing

If you aren’t interested in taking a motorboat out onto the many lakes, then consider taking out a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to enjoy the water. It is definitely one of the peaceful things to do in Voyageurs National Park.

You can paddle out into the clear Minnesota waters and enjoy. Watch out for wildlife as you’re out there, as the state bird, the loon, if often seen.

You can rent all three pieces of equipment from Voyageurs Outfitters in Ranier, which is near International Falls.

8. Hike on the Miles of Trails

Hiking has become one of the best things to do in Voyageurs National Park for those who don’t have a boat or aren’t interested in going on the water.

9. See the Leaves Changing Color in the Fall

Did you know that one of the coolest things to do in Voyageurs National Park is to see the fall colors?

One of the best times to visit Voyageurs is in the fall time because the changing leaves make the park even more beautiful than usual!

All of the trails have turned shades of bright yellow, red, and orange, as leaves drop and create a colorful wonderland.

Plus, there are fewer crowds and the temperatures are cooler than during the summer months. You can still enjoy getting out on the lakes, and see the fall foliage from the water.

10. Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife

If you are a fan of wildlife then keep your eyes peeled because there are some amazing animals and birds living here.

Another of the great activities at Voyageurs National Park is to keep an eye out for the wildlife that are roaming within the park.

Everything from white-tailed deer to moose to bear and gray wolves call the beautiful park home.

You might see any of these creatures while out on the hiking trail, although some are harder to spot than others.

Deer are commonly seen grazing in fields or walking across trails. Moose, bears, and wolves are more difficult to see, but it isn’t unheard of. 

You might also see bald eagles, beavers, or the common loon.

11. Spend the Night Camping

If you love the great outdoors then camping is one of the things to do in Voyageurs National Park that you should try!

Another great opportunity for getting outside with the park is by camping. Since Kettle Falls Hotel is the only lodging option in the park and it’s hard to get to, many people decide to camp.

You can even camp on your own island, since there are so many spread out across the lakes! 

Be sure to reserve a camping permit from Recreation.gov before pitching your tent.

There are nearly 150 front-country campsites and 14 backcountry camps to choose from.

12. Walk to Beaver Bay Overlook

As one of the best short hikes in the park, Beaver Bay Overlook offers a nice walk from the Ash River Visitor Center.

The hike is only about ¼ mile long and takes only about 30 minutes. So if you’re looking for something to do in Voyageurs National Park with kids, this is a perfect choice.

The short trail leads you to a beautiful overlook over Beaver Bay.

Visiting during fall is best, as it gives a viewpoint of changing leaves surrounding the pond.

Keep an eye out for animals such as beavers building dams or deer drinking around the edge of the water.

13. Visit the Visitor Centers

There are three visitor centers within the park, each offering opportunities to learn about the area.

The visitor centers are great places to start the day to learn more about what to do at Voyageurs National Park.

The Ash River Visitor Center is located on the eastern end of Lake Kabetogama. 

Rainy Lake Visitor Center is on the northern side of the park, nestled against Black Bay off of Rainy Lake.

Lastly, the Lake Kabetogama Visitor Center is located in the central part of the large lake, just 30 minutes outside of International Falls.

14. Rent a Houseboat

While you can’t find many options for lodging within the park, you can take a more unique approach to it and book a houseboat for the weekend.

Rent a houseboat from Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats and head out into the lakes for a great time in the park.

Each boat is equipped with everything that you’ll need for your visit, including pots and pants, drinking water, and even a grill to make some delicious food.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience will make your trip to Voyageurs one to remember.

15. Admire the Grassy Bay Cliffs

To see one of the highest points within Voyageurs National Park, you’ll need to navigate there by boat. Or during the winter, by snowmobile.

The Grassy Bay Cliffs are a large cliffside off of Sand Point Lake on the far eastern side of the park.

They rise over 100 feet above the lake and make for a unique viewpoint, as it’s so different from the rest of the edge of the lake.

Billions of years ago, the cliffs were created by massive volcanoes which left ash and lava behind. Today, we can see the remains of those explosions.

16. Take a Boat Tour

During the summer months, the National Park Service offers a variety of tours throughout the park for visitors to enjoy.

If you aren’t up for guiding your own tour of Voyageurs, let the park rangers do it for you!

You can take a tour to see iconic locations within the park such as Kettle Falls, Ellsworth Rock Garden, and Little American Island.

You can even take a stargazing tour on the lake. Since the park is a designated Dark Sky Park, it has endless opportunities to see the milky way and beautiful stars above.

17. Look For The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights in Voyageurs National Park is really dreamy!

While you won’t be able to see the northern lights every night and it’s never guaranteed, it can really be quite the treat to spot them!

Because of the dark skies within Voyageurs National Park, it makes it easier to spot the northern lights when they’re out!

Wait for a clear night, and look up into the sky for your best chance at experiencing this magical phenomenon.

Things To Do In Voyageurs National Park FAQ

Best Time to Visit Voyageurs

Knowing the best time to visit could greatly impact how many of the things to do in Voyageurs National Park you can try.

While Minnesota is beautiful year-round, it does have some pretty harsh winters, so you’ll want to really think hard about when to plan your visit to Voyageurs National Park.

The best time to visit Voyageurs is in the summer months when all of the snow is melted and the entire park is accessible. This means that you can tick off a lot of the things to do in Voyageurs National Park off your bucket list.

Average temperatures between June, July, and August are between the mid-60s and high-80s. 

The sun is usually out, and rain is only common a few days out of the month. Plus, all of the park’s facilities will be open and you can enjoy it to its fullest.

How Long Should You Spend in Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs is a pretty large national park, but because most of it is water, you won’t need as many days here as you do with other national parks.

It’s recommended to spend 2 to 3 days in Voyageurs National Park.

This will give you the best chance to really experience the park and all that it has to offer.

Is Voyageurs National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, Voyageurs National Park is so worth visiting! It’s unique from other national parks because it is about 40% water!

Voyageurs really gives visitors the full experience of Minnesota, showcasing the beautiful waterways, trees, and wildlife.

Whether you’re a fisherman hoping to catch something in the lakes, or a hiker looking to experience some of Minnesota’s beauty, Voyageurs is the perfect place to be. Plus there are loads of things to do in Voyageurs National Park to keep you busy.

Minnesota doesn’t seem to be the first place that people think of when they think of national parks, but there is one beautiful park in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!

With nearly half of its acreage underwater, there are surprisingly plenty of things to do in Voyageurs National Park for your visit.

From kayaking to camping to visiting waterfalls, you’ll never be bored while hanging out at Voyageurs.