Voyageurs National Park is a very remote and vastly under-rated national park for how unique it is. The park expands 218,000 acres with 84,000 of those acres being water. There is also over 500 islands!

The adventure of canoeing or taking a boat to your remote campsite and then sleeping among the lush forest right on the moody blue lake is an experience every nature lover should add to their bucket-list.

We camped two nights in Voyageurs and found complete serenity within our secluded campsite. We paddled to rock gardens and tiny islands during the day and listened to crashing waves silence us to sleep every night.

Camping Areas at Voyageurs National Park

All campsites in Voyageurs are accessible only by watercraft. Because of this, there are a variety options to get to your campsite in Voyageurs including, hiring a water taxi or renting a canoe. Some people may even opt to experience Voyageurs National Park on a house boat rental.

Please read the most up-to-date conditions at Voyageurs National Park to confirm if there is any flooding or closures.

Rainy Lake: is 18 minutes east of International Falls, MN. It has the largest visitor center and open year-round.
Kabetogama Lake: is 35 minutes north of Orr, MN or 35 min southeast of International Falls, MN and is open from May to September.
Ash River: is 40 minutes northeast of Orr, MN and is open from May to September.

Campsites Types at Voyageurs

There is over 270 campsites in Voyageurs National Park and all of them must be reserved online prior to your stay.

We were able to book a front country campsite the week before our trip, but there was only a handful left.

Use this interactive map of all camping, houseboat, and day use sites.

Front Country Campsite: is accessed soley by watercraft and dogs are allowed in the front country. You have the option of a small campsite for up to 9 people with two tent pads or a large campsite that can fit up to 16 people with four tent pads. You will need a group campsite for 16-30 people.

All front country campsites come with a 1-4 bear proof lockers (depending on campsite), a picnic table, fire ring, and a vault toilet. Some campsites even have their own dock. You can find details of exactly what each campsite has when you go to reserve your spot.
Backcountry Campsite: these campsites are only located on the Kabetogama Penisula. The campsite can be accessed by watercraft and then either hiking or another canoe ride. Dogs are not allowed here.
You will also need to bring your own bear proof containers or rope to hang your food 10 feet off the ground. Fire rings and a pit toilet are available.
House Boat Campsite: the only campsites where a houseboat, cabin cruiser or sailboat is permitted. You can have up to two house boats at one campsite.
View the NPS.gov site to see a map showing all the house boat campsites and details on how to reserve your boat permit.

Rent a Watercraft at Voyageurs

You will need to hire a water taxi, or rent a boat or canoe if you do not have your own. The national park has created this list of approved partners to hire a water taxi or rent a canoe/boat.

If you want some help narrowing down this list, here is my recommended business for each watercraft:

Water Taxi: Phil from Pine Tree Cove Resort was incredible and punctual! You can reach him on his cell by calling or texting 218-240-1092. Phil even called us with details on an incoming thunderstorm while we were camped out there.

Houseboat rentals:
- Rainy Lake: Northernaire Houseboat Rentals or Rainy Lake Houseboats
- Kabetogama Lake or Crane Lake: Ebel’s Voyageurs Houseboats
Canoe Rentals: Voyageurs Outfitters are very popular in the area. Their actual location is closest to International Falls and campsites out of Rainy will be the cheapest drop off fee, but they still will deliver to the other two visitor centers.
They also offer water taxi services in Rainy Lake.

Please note! I would not rent a canoe unless you are experienced at canoeing across large, windy bodies of water. We did not see anyone canoeing across Kabetogama Lake and after taking a boat across I can understand why (rough, dangerous waters).
No matter how experienced you are, the park does not advise canoeing in winds over 20mph.

Must Know: Camping in Voyageurs
Make sure you have read the park’s official safety rules and regulations for camping in Voyageurs.
Download the GPX file of GPS waypoints for Voyageurs, including all the campsites and hiking trails.
You will need to download an app like Topo Maps+ (free the first week) to view these files. You can even use the maps when you’re on airplane mode or out of signal.
Black bears can swim across the lake and rivers so make sure to bring bear spray and don’t leave any food or scented items out at night or when you’re away.
Keep an eye on the weather as storms move in quickly without much notice.

Packing List for Voyageurs National Park

Printed copy of your reservations
Hiking Packs: his Gregory 65L and her Gregory 63L
Camp stove and butane
Multi-tool Axe (our favorite)
Stanley All-in-One: includes pan, spatula, plates, utensils
Kitchen knife, paper towels, trash bag
Portawipes
Biodegradable soap & scrubber
Water Filter
Toilet paper or anti-microbial Pee Cloth
Coffee Beans, Hand Grinder, and Pour Over Coffee Set
REI Half Dome 2+ Tent
Air mattress
Sleeping Bag and Pillow
RTIC 45 quart cooler - each bear box can fit (2) - 48 quart coolers
5 Gallon Water Jug that is collapsible
Inflatable SUP (if you boat to your campsite)
Solar String Lights and Headlamp
Quick Dry Towels
Waterproof Speaker
Solar Battery Bank
Clothes, Rain Jacket, Hat, Sunglasses
Water Sandals & Hiking Shoes
Sun hat, Sunscreen & Bug Spray
Safety Items: First Aid Kit, Bear Spray, multi-tool

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Related: 30 Best Camping Accessories from Amazon

Experience Camping at Voyageurs

We stayed in Orr, MN for a week and booked campsite #50 (Fox Farm) that is also right next to the famous Elsworth Rock Gardens.

I would definitely recommend this campsite!

This was labeled as small campsite, but it did actually have 3 tent pads, a dock, and two bear-proof lockers.

Another area our water taxi said was incredible are the campsites in Lost Bay.

Next, I called around for prices on renting a canoe. I thought it would be a fun new adventure to canoe to our campsite, but I didn’t realize how experienced we needed to be and I’m so glad someone warned me.

The winds were rough the days we traveled to and from our campsite. I don’t imagine we would have been successful getting across Kab Lake.

Also, to rent a canoe was $40/day and then the company charged an extra $80 for them to drop it off and pick it up.

From the list provided by recreation.gov, I found Phil from Pine Cove Resort.

Not to mention, everyone else I called recommend Phil as well because he was the main guy in the Kab Lake area for water taxis. It was $175 for Phil to water taxi the two of us and our dog to our campsite and pick us up two days later.

It was a short 15 minute boat ride across the lake so that did seem expensive at first, but again a canoe was the same price and a lot less safe. Phil was on time, super helpful, and even called us to warn us of the severe thunderstorm we were getting one night while there.

We brought a mix of backpacking and car camping gear with us to the campsite and you can see our packing list above.

Don’t forget to read the park safety guidelines as there is a few unique rules for Voyageurs.

For example, you don’t need to check in at the visitor center for front country campsites but you do for backcountry campsites.

We left our truck parked overnight at the visitor center as this is allowed for up to 14 days with a campsite reservation.

Sidenote, Phil can also pick you up from your lodge if it’s on Kab Lake.

Getting out to our campsite was very unique from our typical hike in journey and a sight I won’t forget. The hundreds of tiny islands across the massive lake and seeing just how lush every inch of land was right up to the water.

The dock at our campsite was plenty big enough for the boat and was a nice launch pad for our SUP.

The campsite was right on the water, as they all are, but it still seemed right out of a magazine. The tent pads are up on the hill but spread out if you do have a few people in your group and want some privacy.

Our first night there were some serious thunderstorms with multiple lighting strikes within a quarter mile of us, but it was only for 1-2 hours and then it cleared up nicely.

Good thing is our Verizon service worked better than anywhere else in Northern Minnesota so we could easily track the storm. AT&T is the preferred choice up here.

We tried to hike what seemed to be trails that lead our from our campsite, but they ended shortly and we would have to start bushwhacking.

Instead we just enjoyed taking out the SUP to different islands and because we were the campsite right next to Ellsworth Rock gardens, it was a short 5 minute paddle to see this amazing and massive artwork of rocks.

Thankfully, when we went in August, the flies were never bad and mosquitos didn’t bother us until sunset.

We did find a leech on our dogs arm and have heard others say they can be pretty bad if you go swimming in the water. Other than that our dog hand the time of her life as well!

I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about our experience and camping in Voyageurs National Park. Next time we go, I would like to try a new campsite, maybe one that is closer to hiking trails so we have that option to do as well during the day.

Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park

There are four distinct seasons in Voyageur country. The frost-free season averages 120 days from June to mid-September.

The warmest and most desirable weather is during June, July, and August with highs averaging in the mid-70s.

August makes for the most ideal weather as temperatures are warm and bug season (black flies and mosquitoes) is nearly ended.

The first measurable snowfall occurs in late October and the last in late April or early May.

RV Parks near Voyageurs National Park

If you plan to stay in the area longer than your time spending camping out inside Voyageurs National Park, I’ve gathered a list below of recommending RV parks around the main towns of Voyageurs.

Kabetogama, MN: Woodenfrog Campground is right on the water and offer stunning views of Kab Lake. All 59 campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis and $17/night. You will find vault toilets, a boat ramp and drinking water.
Orr, MN: We loved our stay at Norway Point Resort. They have multiple cabins right on the lake, three RV sites with full hookups, and boats to rent or free canoes. If you have solar and don’t need hookups, ask for the dry camping discount.
Ash River, MN: the closest campsite to Ash River Visitor Center is the Ash River Campground. It is first-come, first-serve with only 8 campsites and costs $17/night. There is vault toilets, drinking water, and boat ramp access as you’re right on the water.
Nearby Ash Riviera RV Park offer cabins, full hookups, laundry, showers, and even boat rentals.
International Falls, MN: with limited options, Arnold’s Campground and RV Park offers tent camping, RVs, and even a water taxi or fishing guide out on Rainy Lake. The RV sites have full-hookups at a very reasonable price.