Best trails in Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs is located in northern Minnesota and shares its northern boundary with Canada. The name Voyageurs (French for "travelers") refers to the French-Canadian fur traders that traveled through the area in the 17th century. This remote park protects the Kabetogama Peninsula's wetlands and forests and the surrounding waterways, including 4 large lakes (Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, and Sand Point Lake). While there's much to explore by boat, Voyageurs also offers great hiking through a variety of beautiful landscapes. Along the way, you may spot moose or deer, hear the wolves howling, or get to see the northern lights at night!
You can access many of the park's hiking trails by car. If you plan to hike in the backcountry, note that those trailheads are only accessible by boat. If you don't have your own watercraft, you can arrange a boat rental or water taxi. The park has 4 water access points: Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Ash River Visitor Center, and Crane Lake Ranger Station.
Voyageurs National Park is open 24 hours a day, all year long. Summer is the most popular time to visit if you want to explore by boat or hike the trails. Winter is equally beautiful, and a great time to check out the park on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles. Voyageurs is one of the few parks in the contiguous United States that is a popular snowmobiling destination, with more than %{110_miles} of snowmobile trails.
There's no entrance fee to visit Voyageurs National Park. If you plan to stay overnight, camping fees apply.
Top trails
- (966)·Moderate·3.0 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThe Blind Ash Bay Trail invites exploration through a predominantly forested landscape. As you traverse this path, the trail reveals intermittent scenic views of the lake and the river. The forest is habitat for a variety of interesting fungi, enhancing the trail's natural charm. During the autumn months, the area becomes a showcase of beautiful fall colors. Wildlife is often seen along this trail, including various birds and squirrels. It is also possible to observe loons. With patience and...
- (497)·Easy·1.6 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis trail is the only hiking trail near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. The landscape is forested and grassy, with views of the lake throughout. This is a great trail for families with small children, or if you want to take a short walk to stretch your legs and admire the scenery. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
- (260)·Easy·0.3 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a short walk to an overlook of a beaver pond. The trail has a bit of climbing at the end to get to the overlook, but overall, is relatively flat. This is a great trail for families with small children. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. There are beautiful wildflowers along the trail in the early summer.
- (227)·Easy·1.3 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis trail is a short walk to a viewpoint of Sullivan Bay. The trail itself is on an old decommissioned road. This is a great hike for families with small children, or a great option if you are short on time. If you are looking for a longer hike, or something more challenging, check out the nearby Blind Ash Bay Trail.
- (135)·Easy·0.4 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a short, forested walk to a viewpoint of Kabetogama Lake. Look for interesting fungi growing under the canopy of trees, and keep an eye out for wildlife, including birds and squirrels. This is a great walk for families with small children. If you are looking a longer hike, you can continue along the Blind Ash Bay Trail.
- (50)·Easy·1.1 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis trail is only accessible via water taxi, paddle board, or kayak. Once you reach the trailhead, it is a short walk to the beaver pond. There are lovely views of the water and forest along the way. The trail can sometimes be overgrown, and bugs are common in the summer. Long pants and bug spray are recommended.
Visitor info
Voyageurs National Park does not have an entrance fee. However, there are fees for camping, houseboat permits, boat tours, special interpretive programs, winter equipment rentals, and special use permits. Interagency Senior and Access passes provide a discount of 50% on boat tours only.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
Voyageurs National Park does not charge an entrance fee.
The Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Ash River Visitor Centers are all accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The boat tours and NPS vessels are wheelchair accessible.
Additional information about accessibility at Voyageurs National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Ash River Visitor Centers are all accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The Rainy Lake (R26-Sunrise Point) and Namakan Lake (N41- Voyageur Narrows) Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites.
The Rainy Lake Group Campsite (R74) and the Kabetogma Lake Group Campsite (K54) are also wheelchair accessible.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
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Frequently asked questions
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Attractions
- Easy trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Forest trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Lake trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Moderate trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Trails with no dogs in Voyageurs National Park
- River trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Short trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Trails with views in Voyageurs National Park
- Wildflower trails in Voyageurs National Park
- Wildlife trails in Voyageurs National Park