| |
3131 Hwy 53, International Falls, MN 56649-9701
Phone: 212-283-9821
Fax: 218-285-7407
Open All Year
Overview.0 Voyageurs National Park is named for the French Canadian canoemen who carried trade goods and furs between Montreal and the Northwest from 1673 to 1842. The scattered, forested islands of this national park are located on the international boundary waters between the U.S. and Canada; interconnected lakes and narrow inlets comprise one-third of its 218,000 acres. Water comprises 84,000 acres of the park including four large lakes, dotted with forested islands, 26 smaller lakes, and over 500 beaver ponds. The park was established to protect its outstanding lake country scenery, its geological conditions, and the historic waterway system.
The islands are characterized by pine and hardwood forests, as well as small bogs with lady's slipper and sphagnum moss. They play host to a variety of wildlife rarely seen in the lower 48 states, including bald eagles, wolf packs, ospreys, cormorants, great blue herons, black bears, loons, and beavers. Pileated woodpeckers and great gray owls are not uncommon, and occasionally mink, pine marten, and fishers are seen.
What to see and do. 0 The park offers over 24 miles of hiking trails. You can take the Cruiser Lake Trail 9.5 miles from Lost Bay on Kabetogama Lake to Anderson Bay on Rainy Lake, and visit any one of seven lakes during your trek. You'll also see beaver ponds and breathe air fragrant with lush vegetation.
In winter, snowmobiles traverse the park on 110 miles of groomed and marked trails on the large lakes, except for areas of thin ice which can be skirted on portage trails. You can also cross-country ski, snowshoe, and ice fish. The Black Bay Ski Trail, 6 miles in length, is located in the northwestern part of the park and maintained for cross-country skiing.
If you don't have a lot of time to spend, Locator Lake is ideal for a one-day visit. You can take a two-mile trail past a beaver pond and through a bog. The trail reaches higher ground on a ridge, and from there you can also take a canoe trip around the lake.
The historic Kettle Falls Hotel, located 20 miles by water from the nearest road, provides the only lodging and dining within the park itself. The park has a long and colorful history from Ojibway Indians, French-Canadian voyageurs, gold miners, bootleggers, and commercial fishermen to modern day vacationers.
Other activities include guided boat tours, guided canoe trips, nature walks, kids programs, canoe rental, swimming, and kayaking.
Backcountry campsites are accessible by watercraft on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits are required and free, and no hookups, services, or showers are provided. In winter, most sites will be accessible. Handicapped-accessible facilities are available by reservation only.
Three visitor centers offer information on what to do and see in the park. For information, call 218-283-9821. Ask for a park newspaper and other free literature about the park. The Lake States Interpretive Association has navigational charts, interpretive literature, and other items for sale by mail order. RV campsites, motels, and resort cabins are available on the edge of the park at International Falls, Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, and Crane Lake, Minnesota.
Pets:0 Leashed pets are permitted.
Search All National Parks
Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
|
