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Voyageurs National Park – an Introduction
The Voyageurs National Park of Minnesota is located in proximity to the International Falls town. This national park in U.S was established in the year 1975 and lies in the northern part of Minnesota. The U.S national park was named after the group of voyageurs constituting the fur traders of French Canadian origin. This USA national park is a popular tourist destination and attracts bulk of tourists who visit the park to enjoy the bewitching natural beauty of the region and take part in activities such as, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and boating.
Visiting Voyagers National Park
The only way one can reach the heart of the Voyageurs National Park is by taking the water way. The Kabetogama Lake, International Falls, Crane Lake, and Ash River are serving as entrances to the park although they do not fall within the domain of the national park. While planning your visit to the Voyageurs National Park, first be precise about choosing the entrance suitable to you. Each of the entrances has its own charming experience to be delivered to the band of travelers. The various activities to be indulged in the park are fishing, camping, wildlife safaris, boating and many others. Skiing, snowshoeing are the activities to be enjoyed during the winter months. Guides, houseboats, motorboats and even canoes are available on hire and they will yet attribute your experience with a wonderful charm. The Kabetogama Lake is in true terms a fascinating site to be explored.
Camping: There are over 200 campgrounds scattered throughout Voyagers National Park. It is really a great experience to sleep under the starlit sky in any of the campsites. The campgrounds can be accessed by waterways only and one need a boat to reach them. In order to have an overnight stay in the park, one needs to have a permit. It can either be collected from the visitor centers in the park or can be self registered at the permit stations. There are two group campsites and drive-up campsites located just outside the park.
Guided Tours: Different guided tours of Voyageurs National park throughout the region. The guided boat tours and the naturalist programs during the summer months happen to be the most popular trips offered by the park. Apart from that there are canoeing trips, campfires and several other affairs, which are equally attractive and enjoyable.
Opening Hours
Rainy Lake Visitor Center:
Open throughout the year. The schedule for the current year is as follows,
May 23 - September 27, open daily, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
September 28 - December 31, 2009, open from Wednesday –through Sunday, from, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
January 2 – mid of May, 2010, open from Wednesday through Sunday, from, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center:
May 23 - September 27, open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed from September 28, 2009 till mid of May, 2010
Ash River Visitor Center:
May 23 - September 27, open daily, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed September 28, 2009 to mid-May, 2010
How to Reach
Air: Duluth and International Falls in Minnesota and Fort Frances in Ontario are the nearest airports to the Voyageurs National Park.
Road: If you are approaching the Voyageurs from Duluth then take a drive for about 110 miles towards the north on US 53. If you are coming from Cranes Lake, then turn towards the east and drive for about 28 miles taking the County Roads 23 and 24. If you are approaching the Ash River, then drive for few miles on US 53. After driving for about 25 miles, turn right at the Ash River Trail sign, and continue driving for another 10 miles. If you are on your way to Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center then drive for 3 miles on US 53 and turn to County Road 122.
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