Voyageurs National Park allows camping at more than 100 sites in addition to houseboat mooring at almost 100 sites. There is also backcountry camping at 15 sites in the interior of the Kabetogama Peninsula. All camping and houseboat mooring requires a permit.
Frontcountry Camping
Voyageurs National Park campgrounds are different than the campgrounds at most national parks. They are only accessible by boat – there is no car camping. As a result, they are much more dispersed on the shoreline of the peninsula and the islands. To engage in this type of Voyageurs national Park camping, build your itinerary and choose your campsites on recreation.gov.
The maximum stay at a frontcountry campsite is 14 consecutive days, or no more than 30 in a calendar year. Tent campers can park their vehicles for free overnight at any Voyageurs national park visitor center for up to 14 days while on their trip.
Canoe Camping
Kayak and canoe trips are a popular way to see the park in the summer. They can be used to access both frontcountry and backcountry camping sites in the park. Be sure to secure the appropriate permit before your trip.
Backcountry Canoeings (Day Use) and Backcountry Camping
All Backcountry camping takes place on smaller lakes within the Kabetogama Peninsula – there are 15 sites. Backcountry camping involves taking a boat to a trailhead and hiking on a trail (some sites may additionally require another boat trip from the end of the trail). Canoes are provided to the public for use on certain backcountry lakes. Backcountry canoes are locked on racks at the ends of the trails and visitors with valid permits may check out the keys at any open visitor center up to 24 hours in advance of their trip
Backcountry canoes can also be used for single-day use. The park service does not rent canoes for use from the mainland for the large lakes like Rainy Lake or Kabetogama Lake. Please check with private companies before your trip.
If you reserve a canoe in the Backcountry, you must stop at a visitor center (in order to get the keys) before checking in. Other park visitors do not need to do so.
Winter Camping in Voyageurs
The parks campsites are open in the winter and travel by snowmobile, ice road, skis, or snowshoes is permitted. Permits are still required. Be sure to check the ice and trail conditions before departing. Additionally, make sure you are prepared for the weather with appropriate gear (which has been tested in the weather). During winter, the speed limit for snowmobiles within the national park is 45 miles per hour on frozen lakes and 25 mph on land portages.
Houseboat Sites
Voyageurs houseboat permits are issued in advance for your itinerary dates on recreation.gov. They can also be made by phone to the national call center. There is a $10 fee per night.
There are 47 houseboat sites on Rainy Lake, 21 on Namakan Lake, 20 on Kabetogama Lake, and 6 on Sand Point Lake. Most sites appear to have a sand or rock landing and a fire pit. Designated houseboat sites may be used on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a limit of two houseboats per designated site.
Individuals on houseboats cannot pitch a tent at a houseboat site. Tent camping is only allowed at designated sites. Individuals on houseboats wishing to pitch a tent must reserve a tent camping site. Houseboats may not moor at a tent site – they must be moored at least 200 yards away from any developed site. However – cabin cruisers and sailboats (which are classified as houseboats in the park) may stay overnight at tent sites with an advanced campsite reservation.
Houseboats may also stay at an undesignated site as long as they are at least 200 yards away from any developed site or structure. Houseboats may not moor overnight at docks in the park.
Nearby Public Campgrounds for Car Camping
There are a few different camping options for those willing to stay outside the national park:
Woodenfrog State Forest Campground – A Kabetogama campground operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It is a primitive campground with vault toilets and drinking water. All sites are first come first served.
Ash River State Forest Campground – An Ash River campground operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This is a primitive campsite with vault toilets and drinking water adjacent to the Ash River public landing. There are eight campsites and all sites are first come first served.
City Beach Campground – This small Rainy Lake campground is offered by the City of International Falls. Tent campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis. Cost is $10.00 per site per day with a seven consecutive day limit. It is located three miles east of International Falls on County Road 20.
Echo Lake Campground – This Crane Lake area campground is located in and operated by Superior National Forest. It is on the south side of Echo Lake a the west end of the Echo Trail. There are 24 campsites, three dispersed sites (accessible by boat only) and one group site. The campground is 22 miles northeast of Orr, Minnesota.
Private Campgrounds – There are at least two private campgrounds in the Rainy Lake / International Falls area: Arnold’s Campground & RV Park and Rainy Lake RV. There are two options in the Crane Lake area: Trail’s End Resort and Norway Lodge Resort & RV Park. In the Kabetogama area, try Pine Aire Resort which indicates on its website it has camping and seasonal trailer sites with water, sewer and electric hook-ups.