Heres everything you better know to plan a trip to Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
In 2020, DarkSky International even awarded Voyageurs its certification as an International Dark Sky Park.
Meet the Expert
Erik Ditzler is a supervisory park ranger at Voyageurs National Park.
Northern lights in Voyageurs National Park.Credit:Steve Burns/Getty Images
Emily Schwanke is the owner ofVoyageurs Guide Service LLC, which offers guided fishing trips within the park.
Ditzler stresses that reading up on the park before your journey to northern Minnesota is paramount.
Cant find the answer to a specific question or concern online?
Landscape of Voyageurs National Park Minnesota.David Radzieta/Getty Images
Feel free to call the visitor center.
We are here to help, so don’t be shy.
No matter when you schedule your Voyageurs trip, youre pretty much guaranteed to see a bald eagle.
Lake in Voyageurs National Park.GeorgeBurba/Getty Images
For instance, he recommends August or September for camping.
Schwanke agrees, saying that September is hands-down her favorite time in the park.
September is magical in Voyageurs… Ditzler echoes her sentiment and adds that visiting in the winter can be particularly rewarding.
Viewpoint in Voyageurs National Park.Per Breiehagen/Getty Images
Best Things to Do
Get out on the water.
Explore the areas hiking trails.
My favorite hike that you might drive to is theBlind Ash Bay Trailin the Ash River area.
Northern lights in Voyageurs National Park.BlueBarronPhoto/Getty Images
you might get some beautiful views of Kabetogama Lake, says Ditzer.
If youre feeling really adventurous, he also suggests theAnderson Bay Loop.
Spend a day snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing.
Paddleboarding in Voyageurs National Park.Per Breiehagen/Getty Images
Visitors hoping to snowshoe should check outBlack Bay Beaver Pond Trail, one of Ditzlers favorite snowshoe hikes.
Go fishing either by yourself or with a guide.
With 30 named lakes inside the park, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a few fish.
Before you begin your fishing trip in Voyageurs, youll need to acquire a Minnesotafishing license.
The latter is a historic property thats only open from May through September.
There are over 150 campsites within the park, including frontcountry, backcountry, and primitive sites.
Permits are required and can be purchasedonline.
Boats can park in both designated and undesignated houseboat sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
