National Park · MN

Things to do in Voyageurs

The National Park Service lists 26 things to do at Voyageurs National Park. 25 have no extra fee, 23 need no reservation, and 8 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated · NPS Data API

All (26) Hiking (8)Backcountry Hiking (6)Cross-Country Skiing (2)Stargazing (2)Self-Guided Tours - Walking (2)Junior Ranger Program (1)Snow Play (1)Paddling (1)Fishing (1)Snowshoeing (1)Boat Tour (1)

Go sledding on Sphunge Island

Visitors will find picnic tables and a fire ring at the bottom of the hill near the sledding hill parking lot. The sledding hill consists of a small hill for younger children and a larger hill for older children and adults.

Winter Pets allowed

Snow Play

Hike Anderson Bay Loop

This trail takes you through the forest past rocky clearings and beaver ponds to spectacular views of Rainy Lake form the shoreline and Anderson Bay from the top of the cliffs.

90-150 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Backcountry Hiking

Hike Beaver Pond Overlook Trail

A short uphill hike through an aspen and pine forest leads to a rocky outcrop high above a beaver pond. Although beavers are no longer active at this pond, this trail provides great birding opportunities, and the possibility of spotting large wildlife.

10-30 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

View overlooking Kabetogama Lake through pine trees and a few islands in the lake.
Photo: NPS

Hike Blind Ash Bay Trail

This narrow, winding, rocky trail exposes users to the wonders of the boreal forest. This path is great for birding, it is also frequented by deer and other wildlife.

1-3 Hours Year-round

Hiking

Hike Echo Bay Trail

This wide trail showcases the transition between deciduous and boreal forests as you pass through lowlands and rocky outcrops.

40-120 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

Hike Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail

This short handicap accessible trail takes you through a pine forest to a viewpoint where you can sit on a bench and see Kabetogama Lake framed by the trees.

10-30 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Hike the Cruiser Lake Trail

This rugged trail crosses over the peninsula, up rocky cliffs and down into remote wetland areas. See parts of the park many people do not visit. Start your hike either at Anderson Bay on the Rainy Lake side or Lost Bay on the Kabetogama side.

4-8 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Backcountry Hiking

Canoe launch area with two rack of canoes and Locator Lake in background.
Photo: NPS/C. Braton

Hike the Locator Lake Trail

Please note: The Cranberry Creek Portage Trail into Locator Lake from Rainy Lake has been permanently closed. Explore this two-mile, one-way hike as an afternoon adventure, or use it as a starting point for an exciting backcountry camping experience.

2-5 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Backcountry Hiking

Hike the Mukooda Trail

Accessible only by boat, the Mukooda Trail meanders through a mix of deciduous and coniferous forest and over rocky ridges, scraped bare by ancient glaciers.

2-3 Hours Spring, Summer

Backcountry Hiking

Hike the Oberholtzer Trail

Wander through deciduous and conifer forest as the trail twists around the edge of a cattail filled wetland and past rocks deposited by ancient glaciers. Look for signs of wildlife as you hike to two different overlooks with marsh and lake views.

45-80 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

Hike the Sullivan Bay Trail

This easy hike along an old forest road leads you through both coniferous and deciduous forest. The trail ends at a viewpoint on Sullivan Bay with a picnic table and fire ring.

30-90 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

Hike Voyageurs Forest Overlook Trail

This short trail takes you through a section of forest revealing the changes in the forest at different elevations. Growing trees have blocked the overlook that used to be at the parking area. There are picnic tables and grills by the parking area.

10-30 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

Paddle through Blind Ash Bay

Explore the rocky shoreline and a calm bay with your canoe or kayak. From the paddle launch head west one mile between the rocky shore and small islands before turning south to explore Blind Ash Bay. Your total trip length will be about 2.5 miles.

1-2 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed

Paddling

Rainy Lake Recreation Trail

The Rainy Lake Recreation Trail offers visitors a peaceful experience as it meanders along the park road, into the woods, and around rock outcrops.

1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

Stargazing at Voyageurs National Park

Come see the night skies at Voyageurs National Park. We have been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park because of the quality of our night skies and our commitment to protecting the sky form light pollution.

Year-round Reservation required Pets allowed

Stargazing

Take a boat tour of Voyageurs National Park

See Voyageurs National Park from a boat on a tour guided by a park ranger. A variety of boat tours leave from Rainy Lake Visitor Center and Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center primarily from June to August and last from 90 to 390 minutes.

90-390 Minutes Reservation required Fee applies

Boat Tour

Visit Little American Island

Discover the past on this self guided walk Little American Island. This island was home to one of the area gold mines during the brief gold rush of the 1890s. You will see mine shafts, tailing piles, and machinery along the side of this short trail.

Spring, Summer, Fall

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Voyageurs' Tilson Connector Trail

This trail accessible year-round. Once sufficient snowfall accumulates, the trail will continue be groomed for classic, cross country skiing that leads to the Tilson Bay Trails that are managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

15-40 Minutes Year-round Reservation required

Cross-Country Skiing

Before you go

Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Voyageurs. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.

Things to do at nearby parks

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