A water-based park along the Canadian border, best explored by boat or canoe across its interconnected lakes, with some of the best northern lights viewing in the Lower 48.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

1 to 2 days covers a boat tour of the main lakes, while 4 or more lets you properly explore by canoe.

No special permit is required for day use; overnight camping requires a permit or reservation.

International Falls and Ash River are the closest gateway towns, along the Canadian border.

There's no entrance fee — Voyageurs is free to visit year-round.

Why Visit?:

Voyageurs is a genuinely water-based park along the Canadian border, best explored by boat or canoe across its interconnected lakes rather than by trail — there's very little you can see here without getting on the water. It's also one of the best places in the Lower 48 to see the northern lights, thanks to its far-northern location and minimal light pollution.

The park's name honors the French-Canadian fur traders who once paddled these same waterways, giving a Voyageurs visit a genuine historical throughline alongside the natural scenery.

Things to Do:

A boat tour through Rainy Lake or Kabetogama Lake is the easiest way to see the park's core scenery without your own watercraft. Renting a canoe or kayak lets you explore more intimately, including quieter bays and inlets a tour boat won't reach.

If you're visiting in fall or winter, check the aurora forecast — clear nights here offer a genuine shot at the northern lights, one of the park's most underrated draws.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: Falls International Airport (INL) in International Falls is closest, though service is limited; Duluth International (DLH), about 2.5 hours away, offers more flight options.

Nearby Attractions:

International Falls itself sits right on the Canadian border, and Voyageurs pairs naturally with a broader northern Minnesota lakes trip if you have extra time.