​February: the month when we celebrate love, romance, and human connection. It’s a peak time for the greeting card, candy, and floral industries with retail prices at an all-time high. For many, Valentine’s Day gifts are a phone call or click away. From a fresh bouquet to a stunning bracelet, the gift mold was set long ago. But we’re here to pose this question: “What if you gave the gift of time, attention, and adventure?” That’s where Rainy Lake comes in.

We talk extensively about family plans, but every now and then, few things sound better than a romantic getaway for two. No work emails, no children, and no extended family; just a sweet and romantic escape for you and your significant other.
To help you picture the possibilities, we’ve got a few suggestions to make the most of your romantic getaway:
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1. Build a fire: If you choose lodging with a fireplace, don’t forget to bring marshmallows and roasting sticks plus all the fixin’s you might need for the ultimate s’mores (may we suggest peanut butter for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup lovers?).
2. Hit the trails: By snowshoe or snowmobile, there are endless trails to explore, just the two of you. Check out this map, plan your route, and pick a cozy, quiet little corner of the lake to stop at for a bite or breather.
3. Catch and cook your meals: Cooking is a fun way to spend time together. Take it a step further and go ice fishing together for your next meal. It’s not only a thrill to catch your own food, but it can also be a fun competition to see who can catch the larger fish.
4. Board games and books: Bring a few of your favorite board games to play in the solitude of the north. Set your phone to airplane mode and get ready to set a new high score while playing a game you love with the person you love even more. Not into games? Bring a few books. Read aloud to each other or just cozy up by the fire and dive into your own little world in comfort.
5. Star gaze and bird watch: Look up during the day to watch the native birds go about their busy day. After the sun sets, grab a blanket and find a window that’s big enough for you both to peer up at the sky and stargaze. The skies get dark enough to see constellations with the naked eye, but if you’re an amateur astronomer, pack your telescope and get a clearer glimpse at the planets and stars in our vast galaxy. On clear nights, you might even see the Northern Lights.

 
Winter months in Rainy Lake don’t mean this northern neck of the woods slows down one bit. There are so many ways you can plan a romantic trip for two at Rainy Lake. Ready to explore more? Check out these lodging options and our calendar of events to help you plan your vacation for two.

If you’ve ever been in Voyageurs National Park, you know what makes this place special because you’ve experienced it firsthand: every ripple from your paddle that catches the sun, every tree laden with snow that reminds you to slow down and breathe a little deeper, and every critter you glimpse on its merry way. Whether over wave or ice, your best bet to move around the park is over water, as it makes up over 40% of the park. For any season, mapping it out ahead of your visit is key. From camping, trail, and area maps, we’ve got you covered with an exhaustive list of maps on our website here.
It’s a wild, exceptionally beautiful place and waiting for you to explore. Plan your visit here and check out our packing checklist to make sure you bring the right gear to travel, sleep, and play.

Odds are you'll take any excuse to take a short reprieve when October arrives. The newness of the school year wore off, and by then, the hustle and bustle of work and activities mount knowing an even busier holiday season looms around the bend.
 
An autumn break to Rainy Lake offers a unique splendor you deserve to experience. Two particular weekends come to mind: October 5-6 and October 19-20.
 
Changing Leaves: October 5-6
Nothing symbolizes fall more than leaves changing color, and the backdrop of Voyageur National Park provides a particularly gorgeous setting. While partial change begins in late September, the park reaches its peak during the weekend. Grab a light jacket, get on the water, and watch the ablaze foliage shimmer its spectrum of crimson and amber.
 
It's the time of year where the air crispens and wildlife begin their Minnesota goodbyes. See them before they leave for winter.
 
Orionid Meteor Shower: October 19-20
Late in the month, the remnants of Hailey's Comet explode through the sky off of the belt of the Orion constellation. Bundle up a bit, as temperatures will hover around freezing, or better yet, cozy up next to a loved one under a blanket and fix your eyes on the midnight sky. There's no need to pack a telescope or binoculars. Your naked eye is more than enough to see these interstellar ice shards vaulting their way through the darkness.
 
Experts predict the peak of the shower to happen on Monday or Tuesday if you can extend your visit, and you should. The light of the moon often masks the full meteor display, but in 2019, the lunar calendar predicts a three-quarter moon going into a dark, new moon. Less light. More magic.
 
Forget Friday Night Lights for one week and see natural wonders up close. You may even witness a more spectacular set of lights, the Northern Lights. Use our predictor tool to see what Aurora Borealis is up to during your visit.
 
September will come and go quicker than you think. Plan your mini vacation before it’s too late. We can help.