Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs is a water-based park where you must take to the water to fully experience the lakes, islands and shorelines of the park. Nearly 200 years ago voyageurs paddled birch bark canoes full of animal pelts and trade goods through this area on their way to Lake Athabaska, Canada. Today, people explore the park by houseboat, motorboat, canoe and kayak.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Kate MillerPhone Number: 218-283-9821
Entrance Fees: Free
Sights: Kettle Falls; Kettle Falls Hotel; Ellsworth Rock Gardens; Little American Island
Endangered Species: Gray Wolf; Bald Eagle (threatened)
Important Dates
Established as Park: January 8, 1971By The Numbers
Acres: 218,200.00Highest Point: Tower Hill (1405 feet)
Annual Visitation: 231,875 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :48.524800 / -92.830140 (map it)
State: MN
Nearby Big City: International Falls, MN
Gateway Communities: Ranier, MN; International Falls, MN; Littlefork, MN; Orr, MN; Loman, MN; Nett Lake, MN; Crane Lake, MN
Nearby Airports: International Falls (INL); Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
McManus Island
Michael J Thompson
Voyageurs, 2330
National Park Service
Voyageurs, 2331
National Park Service
View More Voyageurs Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Voyageurs National Park provides a wide range of activities. The late-summer months of August and September are often the best time of year to explore the park's hiking trails. The weather is ofte ... read more.
Animals Voyageurs is home to a diverse assemblage of wildlife, including over 240 species of birds, 10 species of reptiles and amphibians, 53 species of fish, 42 species of mammals, and countless invertebr ... read more.
Camping Sleep under the stars in one of over 200 designated campsites in Voyageurs National Park. Be serenaded by loons, and listen for the chance to hear the howl of a wolf. A free permit is required for o ... read more.
Frequently Asked Questions Where can I camp in the park? Voyageurs National Park maintains over 200 developed campsites which are dispersed throughout the park. All campsites within the park are accessible by boat only. Free o ... read more.
History Although the first proposal to designate the area as a national park occurred in 1891, it wasn't until 1975 that Voyageurs National Park was established after a lengthy legislative battle that began ... read more.
Just For Kids Be A Junior Ranger A Junior Ranger is an important person who helps park rangers take care of our national parks. Do you like exploring the park, taking boat trips, hiking in park forests, or seeing ... read more.
Natural World Nature & Science Voyageurs National Park is a mosaic of land and water, a place of interconnected waterways that flow west into the Rainy River, and eventually north as part of the arctic watershed ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Permits A free permit is required for all overnight stays in the park. Permits can be obtained at park visitor centers and boat launches. One permit per party per overnight stay is required.Park Regu ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Operating Hours & Seasons Voyageurs National Park is open year-round. During the warm months of summer the park is a destination for people who enjoy exploring by boat. The interconnected waterways a ... read more.
Plants Voyageurs National Park is located in the Southern Biome of the Northern Boreal Forest. A biome is a unit of land that is defined by climate and native vegetation. It's a place where predominantly ... read more.
Sights to See Kettle Falls The history of Kettle Falls is as colorful as the red roof on the hotel. Constructed by timber cruiser Ed Rose and reputedly financed by Madame Nellie Bly, the Kettle Falls Hotel has ac ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Support Your Park Voyageurs National Park works closely with a wide range of partners to protect park resources and provide essential services for park visitors. Voyageurs National Park Association ... read more.
Winter Activities Winter visitors enjoy the beauty of Voyageurs National Park by snowmobile, on cross-country skis, in an auto on the ice road, on snowshoes or in ice-fishing houses. Voyageurs invites visitors who wa ... read more.
Recent News
- VNP: Newcastle Not Major Concern for Humans September 17, 2008, 2:26 pm
- Guardians of the Wilderness August 27, 2008, 12:37 pm
- Native Trees May Be Planted As Part of Fall Volunteer Rendezvous August 22, 2008, 2:25 pm
- Voyageurs National Park Closing Casareto Beach August 20, 2008, 12:10 pm
- Park Staff Save Life Of Seriously Injured Man August 12, 2008, 11:02 am
- Cormorants are being tracked, studied at Voyageurs Park July 15, 2008, 5:34 pm
- Park Superintendent Warms to Idea of Northern Assignment July 9, 2008, 10:56 am
Voyageurs In Depth
News from the Parks
Rainier Landmark Meets Wrecking Ball
November 18, 2008 - 11:29am
Paradise echoed Monday not with the voices of park visitors, but with the thump and crash of a 4,500-pound wrecking ball smashing through the old visitor center.
November 18, 2008 - 11:29am
Paradise echoed Monday not with the voices of park visitors, but with the thump and crash of a 4,500-pound wrecking ball smashing through the old visitor center.
New River Gorge National River Celebrates 30th Anniversary
November 18, 2008 - 11:24am
The New River Gorge celebrated its 30th year as part of the National Park System last week with the Nov. 10 anniversary of its 1978 designation as a National River.
November 18, 2008 - 11:24am
The New River Gorge celebrated its 30th year as part of the National Park System last week with the Nov. 10 anniversary of its 1978 designation as a National River.
Park to Go with 720 Sleds per Day
November 18, 2008 - 11:22am
Yellowstone National Park officials have opted to allow 720 snowmobiles a day in the park this winter, abandoning a temporary plan they proposed two weeks ago for 318 machines a day.
November 18, 2008 - 11:22am
Yellowstone National Park officials have opted to allow 720 snowmobiles a day in the park this winter, abandoning a temporary plan they proposed two weeks ago for 318 machines a day.
Falling Boulders Endanger Lives at Yosemite
November 18, 2008 - 11:20am
A major rockslide at Yosemite National Park's Curry Village has prompted officials to consider closing part of the lodging area permanently.
November 18, 2008 - 11:20am
A major rockslide at Yosemite National Park's Curry Village has prompted officials to consider closing part of the lodging area permanently.
Interior and Energy Team-up to Make National Parks “Green”
November 18, 2008 - 10:09am
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship. With equal amounts of initial “seed money” from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. “This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations.” “Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance. With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,” said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. “Our parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, now they can learn about energy use as well.” “The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.” On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American. A list of some of the 2009 projects is available. Two recent projects illustrate the exciting possibilities of Energy SmartPARKS in the future: the exterior relighting of both the White House and the Washington Monument. With ground-breaking technology that improved the exterior illumination, these national icons now look beautiful while being energy efficient at the same time. Although the official assessment of the White House relighting project by DOE has not yet been conducted, early estimates anticipate over 50% energy reduction. The Washington Monument relighting project resulted in a 27% energy reduction with a cut of 36 tons per year in carbon emissions according to the official DOE assessment. The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public. The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks.
November 18, 2008 - 10:09am
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship. With equal amounts of initial “seed money” from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. “This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations.” “Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance. With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,” said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. “Our parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, now they can learn about energy use as well.” “The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.” On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American. A list of some of the 2009 projects is available. Two recent projects illustrate the exciting possibilities of Energy SmartPARKS in the future: the exterior relighting of both the White House and the Washington Monument. With ground-breaking technology that improved the exterior illumination, these national icons now look beautiful while being energy efficient at the same time. Although the official assessment of the White House relighting project by DOE has not yet been conducted, early estimates anticipate over 50% energy reduction. The Washington Monument relighting project resulted in a 27% energy reduction with a cut of 36 tons per year in carbon emissions according to the official DOE assessment. The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public. The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks.
