Voyageurs National Park
A national park of lakes and islands on the Minnesota border, reached mostly by boat, canoe or floatplane, with loons calling across quiet water.
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Voyageurs National Park sits in northern Minnesota, on the Canadian border near International Falls. It takes its name from the French-Canadian fur traders who paddled these waters in the 1700s and early 1800s. Water covers much of the park, and four large lakes, with their bays and islands, make up most of its interior. Most of the park has no road access, so boats, canoes and floatplanes are how most trips start. Loons, bald eagles and moose live here.
It suits travelers who want to spend most of their days on the water, camping on quiet shorelines and paddling between islands. Summer is the busiest season for boating and camping, and fall brings cooler days and changing leaves. Plan two or three days for a first visit. A week gives more time to cover the lakes at a slower pace.
Voyageurs National Park in five
- Get a boat before you goMost of Voyageurs is water, and roads reach only a few lakeshores and visitor centers. Book a rental boat, houseboat or water taxi before you arrive, because you need one to reach most of the park.Getting around
- Download offline maps before you leave townPhone signal is patchy on the lakes and in many bays. Save offline maps and your route on the phone, and carry a paper map of the lakes as a backup.Phones and eSIM
- Get a Minnesota fishing licenseMinnesota fishing rules and a Minnesota license apply to fishing in the park's waters. Check the current license and season rules with the Minnesota DNR before you cast a line.
- Clean, drain and dry your boatMinnesota requires boaters to clean, drain and dry boats and gear to limit the spread of invasive species between lakes. Minnesota law also requires a wearable life jacket for each person aboard.
- Check in with US customs before crossing into CanadaRainy Lake and Namakan Lake lie on the Canadian border, so a boat trip can cross into Canada. Report to US Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry before you cross, and carry your passport.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; ESTA for eligible visa-waiver travelers Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants and for services, usually 15 to 20 percent
- Time
- UTC-6 (Central time), UTC-5 in daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryIce roads, cold
- FebruaryDeep winter
- MarchThaw, mud
- AprilIce-out season
- MayBlack flies
- JuneLong days, bugs
- JulyPeak season
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberQuiet, fall color
- OctoberCold, colors fade
- NovemberLakes freezing
- DecemberSnow, ice
Right now in Voyageurs National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Voyageurs National Park
03:15 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°12°100%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue12°11°63%Tuesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Wed11°7°74%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Thu8°-1°61%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Fri7°-2°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat7°-1°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun4°1°11%Sunday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 01:59 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Voyageurs National Park
Rules for Voyageurs National Park, checked
- Store food, trash and coolers out of reach of wildlife, and never feed bears, moose, wolves or other animalsSource
- Report to US Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry before crossing into Canada by waterSource
- Minnesota fishing license and fishing rules apply on park waters; check current season and size limitsSource
- Carry a life jacket for every person in the boat, and clean, drain and dry boats before moving between lakesSource
Plan around Voyageurs National Park
The state context, towns and drives to the park
Read the guideWhere to stayGateway towns, campsites and lodging by the lakes
Read the guideGetting aroundCar hire, boats and the long drives between towns
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCoverage on the lakes and offline map set-up
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the crossing into Canada by water
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for boating, hiking and remote evacuation
Read the guideVoyageurs National Park FAQ
Do I need a car to visit Voyageurs National Park?
A car is the practical way to reach the park from towns, and roads reach some visitor centers and lakeshores. Most of the park is on the lakes, so you need a boat to see it.
Is there an entrance fee for Voyageurs National Park?
Check the current fees on the NPS Voyageurs page before you go, since camping and other services may charge a fee. Do not assume the park is free to enter.
When is the best time to visit Voyageurs National Park?
July to September is the best window for boating and camping, and fall color arrives by late September. Early summer brings black flies, so pack repellent.
How many days do I need in Voyageurs National Park?
Two or three days covers one part of the lakes by boat. A week gives more time to cover the lakes at a slower pace.
Is there cell service in Voyageurs National Park?
Signal is patchy, and many bays and islands have none. Download offline maps and your route before you leave the towns.
Can I visit Voyageurs National Park in winter?
Yes, with ice fishing and snow trails in season. Ice and trail conditions change quickly, so check with the park before you go.