 Photo by John Connelly Though there are no official/designated ATV trails in Rainy Lake, there are lots of places to enjoy ATV riding.
A good place to start is the Blue Ox trail and Koochiching County roads/forestry roads. ATV/UTV riding has become a popular way to get to know a community of other enthusiasts that love the outdoors and care for the environment. Everyone should take responsibility to learn the rules and regulations related to ATV riding and abide by them to be safe and legal. There are specific guidelines for youth riders that can be found on the DNR website. Adventure awaits on the many roads and areas where ATVs are allowed. It's an activity the whole family can enjoy!  The Visitor Centers of Voyageurs National Park The fact that one-third of Voyageurs National Park is water – including four large lakes, Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point – can make it difficult to access and explore. For this reason, the park has established three visitors centers for guests to not only learn more about the area’s history and wildlife, but also understand its unique geography. What’s more, the centers provide hiking trails, naturalist programs, boat tours and water access for watercraft of all types, so you can fully enjoy all the park has to offer. Rainy Lake Visitor Center The first thing you see when entering the Rainy Lake Visitor Center is an adult stuffed moose, which serves as the building’s focal point and is a much-photographed feature. Located in the northern part of the park, the center is 11 miles east of International Falls on Highway 11. Several hiking and cross-country skiing trails are accessible from here, including the 1.7-mile Oberholtzer Trail and an immersive Ojibwe Indian camp exhibit open during the summer months. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is nestled on the shore of Black Bay and provides views across the water to the Kabetogama Peninsula. A free boat launch serves as an ice road entrance during the winter months, when the center remains open with seasonal hours. You can visit the center anytime or as shelter on rainy days for a variety of indoor activities for the entire family. There’s a theater for viewing a film about the life of the Voyageurs, historical and wildlife displays, a bookstore and children's activity table. The park also offers boat tours and ranger-led programs, including canoe trips out of the visitor center throughout the year. Rainy Lake Visitor Center 1797 UT 342, International Falls, MN 56649 (218) 286-5258 nps.gov/voya Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Kabetogama is the largest of the Voyageur National Park lakes located entirely in the U.S. It includes 25,000 acres of clean, cool water and more than 100 miles of forested shoreline, with less than 10 miles of it developed on the south shore. Open from late May through September, the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center is a great place to launch your Northwoods adventure. Features include interactive exhibits, a children's activity table, bookstore and theater for viewing a park film. There’s also a free public boat launch, separate paddle access and picnic area. Several boat tours and ranger-led programs are offered through the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. Voyage to historic Kettle Falls Hotel and Dam, explore Ellsworth Rock Gardens, where chances are good you’ll spot a bald eagle, or try your hand as a Voyageur aboard a 26-foot North Canoe. Join park staff as they portray historic characters from the region's past on a Twilight Walk and gather ‘round the campfire for an evening of stories, science, and history of the evening sky. Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center 9940 Cedar Ln, Kabetogama, MN 56669 (218) 875-2111 nps.gov/voya Ash River Visitor Center To reach the third visitor center in Voyageurs National Park, take the scenic Ash River Trail (County Road 129) off Highway 53. Deer are plentiful along the road, which features several scenic outlooks that are worth the stop. The Ash River Visitor Center, open late May through September, is located in the historic Meadwood Lodge. It features a bookstore, children's activity corner, exhibits, and a theater. Nearby picnic tables invite you to relax over your picnic, and a free public boat launch and separate paddle access provide water access. The center is the starting point for a ranger-lead, 1.5-mile hike along the popular Sullivan Bay Trail. You can also enjoy a tranquil canoe trip while keeping an eye out for wildlife including the Minnesota State Bird, the Common Loon, bald eagles, deer and bear. Ash River Visitor Center 9899 Mead Wood Rd, Orr, MN 55771 (218) 374-3221 nps.gov/voya Connect with us for more help planning your trip to Voyageurs National Park.
 Although most of Voyageurs National Park trails are maintained throughout the year, becoming snowshoe and cross-country ski attractions during the winter months, Spring is perhaps the best time for a hike through the forest. Delicate, lime-colored leaves are just beginning to appear, pairs of mating geese can be seen – and heard – over nearby lakes, and cool breezes keep temperatures mild.
All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes, drinking water and a map in order to immerse yourself in nature and witness the emergence of a new season. And, with a variety of trails to choose from, hikers can easily find one that suits their individual skill levels, from 20-minute jaunts to hours-long adventures. Drive-to Trails Voyageurs is known for its acres of water (84,000) and miles (more than 600) of undeveloped shoreline. But that doesn’t mean you need a boat to explore and enjoy the park, which features close to a dozen land-accessible trails.
ADA Accessible In addition to providing varying degrees of difficulty and lengths, park trails also provide the opportunity for people with disabilities to experience Voyageurs’ singular scenery.
Trails with Views Make time in your trip to the Ask River Visitor Center to enjoy theses little-known gems:
Before you begin a journey on any of the park’s trails, be sure to pick up a map at one of the visitor centers. Interested in hiking at Voyageurs National Park? Let us know in the comments below! |
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International Falls, Rainy Lake and Ranier Convention and Visitors Bureau
301 2nd Avenue International Falls, MN 56649 218-283-9401 Monday-Friday 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday Closed Select photography by Kallie Kantos |