Voyageurs National Park

Introduction

Voyageurs National Park is a United States National Park in northern Minnesota near the town of International Falls established in 1975. The park's name commemorates the voyageurs, French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area. The park is notable for its outstanding water resources and is popular with canoeists, kayakers, other boaters, and fishermen. The Kabetogama Peninsula, which lies entirely within the park and makes up most of its land area, is accessible only by boat. To the east of the National Park lies the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The park has several boat ramps and visitor centers on its periphery, though the main body of the park is only accessible by boat or, in the winter, by snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe. In 2016, the park hosted 241,912 visitors.

Sights and Activities

The park has over 80 kilometres of hiking trails. While some trails are located on the mainland, the majority traverse the park's interior peninsula, including long-distance backcountry trails.

This national park is home to wolves, black bears, moose, an abundance of white-tailed deer, and smaller mammals such as foxes, beavers, river otters, muskrats, snowshoe hares, and weasels which may be seen crossing frozen lake surfaces during the winter. Bald eagles, loons, double-crested cormorants, owls, and warblers are common birds that roam the park's forests, waters, and skies.

Cost

There is no fee to enter Voyageurs National Park.

Eat/Drink

Sleep

Campsites are maintained by the National Park Service and are accessible only by water. The 175 sites are classified as tent, houseboat, or day-use sites; all are designated by signs. Tenters may not camp in houseboat sites or day-use sites. Maps showing the location of these sites are available at the visitor centers. Permits are required for overnight stays. Permits can be obtained at any park visitor center or boat ramp. Public and private campgrounds, accessible by car, are located near the perimeter of the park.

External Links

• Official Website