Houseboat Trip Packing List

A houseboat trip on Rainy Lake combines the best of both worlds: the comforts of home with the adventure of a wilderness vacation. Both of the area’s two houseboat rental companies* – Rainy Lake Houseboats and Northernaire Houseboats, provide amenities to ensure your trips is both comfortable and safe. That said, there are some items from home you’ll be happy to have with you.

Boating Must-Have’s
Safety is a serious matter on Rainy Lake, and someone at your rental company will walk you through everything you need to know about operating the vessel.

• ​Provided: Navigational charts (maps) a ship-to-shore marine band radio, generators, anchor, horn, navigation lights and more.
• Bring: Personal life jackets, flashlight, first aid kit and a camp saw for firewood (chainsaws are not permitted in the park).

In the Kitchen
One of the most-appreciated conveniences of a houseboat is the kitchen, which has options that allow you to create anything from gourmet meals to cold cereal with milk. 

• Provided: Your floating kitchen has a refrigerator/freezer, stove, oven, coffee pot, toaster and microwave. It’s also stocked with dishware, silverware, cookware and utensils.
• Pack: Aluminum foil, Ziplock baggies, paper towels, paper plates, extra dish soap and garbage bags.

Outdoor Enjoyment
Your houseboat is designed for maximum fun with decks and swim platforms – some models have slides and hot tubs!

• Provided: Gas grill, coolers, deck table and chairs, life jackets.
• Pack: Extra coolers, camp chairs, swimsuits, sunscreen, inflatables tubes and rafts, beach towels, boots or shoes for hiking park trails, rain gear, camera, and binoculars. If you plan on fishing, you’ll also want your own equipment like tackle boxes and rods, depth finder, filet knife and cutting board.

Downtime
Because Mother Nature doesn’t receive every memo about which days should be full of nothing but clear skies and endless sunshine, it’s a good idea to pack for a rainy day…just in case.

• Provided: stereo, covered deck
• Pack: CDs, iPod with charger and jack to plug into stereo system, games, cards, books, magazines and puzzles.

Creature Comforts
You’ll find beds with pillows and blankets on your houseboat, but it’s nice to have personal items from home.

• Provided: Some rental companies supply sheets and towels, while others don’t, so be sure to check in advance.
• Pack: A favorite pillow, blanket or stuffed animal for kids, air freshener for the bathroom and any toiletries you may want.

If, when you are checking in and loading your houseboat, you realize you have forgotten something, let your rental company know. They usually have extra supplies, and a trip to International Falls’ stores is a short car-ride.
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*Check with the company you are renting through to ensure your boat model has the items listed here.

Is there anything else you would pack? Let us know in the comments down below!