 Rainy Lake serves as the northern gateway to Minnesota’s only national park – Voyageurs National Park. This 218,000-acre island and water park is simply awe-inspiring! During “open water” season, the park is accessible by motorboat, houseboat, canoe or kayak. During winter, visitors access the park by snow-machine, snowshoe or cross-country ski. The Park Service also plows a road on part of Rainy Lake’s frozen surface for vehicle use.
The Rainy Lake Visitor Center, (located 10 miles east of International Falls on Highway 11 East), serves as one of the impressive interpretive centers for Voyageurs National Park. Visitors will enjoy naturalist-guided activities, walking trails, programs and scenic boat tours. Contact Voyageurs National Park for Boat Tour Information. www.nps.gov/voya
Tent camping on designated park islands is free; however, a permit is required and is easily obtained at the visitor center and various locations throughout the tourism community. The park is also sprinkled with day use sites and houseboat sites.
Wildlife abounds in Voyageurs National Park. Loons, eagles, seagulls, otters and deer are common sightings. Occasionally, visitors will even catch a glimpse of a black bear or moose. Spring (and autumn) provide great opportunities for bird watching, (as over 200 species are migrating at these times). Be sure to bring along your camera and binoculars.
Rainy Lake is one of the finest fishing lakes in Voyageurs National Park and offers exciting angling action for walleye, northern, smallmouth bass and black crappie. The International Falls, Ranier and Rainy Lake area provides park visitors an array of quality accommodations – including hotels, motels, houseboats, resorts, B & B’s, inns and campsites.
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