What few leaves are left in the northern tree canopy continue to splinter and tumble to the ground in early November. Fewer and fewer footsteps crush the vibrant colors and the ground starts to freeze, night after night. The pine and evergreen trees seem to stand a little taller and prouder, as their time to shine is around the corner. It’s cooler up here, but no less busy for the wildlife and sky.
With summer months being, by far, the busiest time of the year for travelers, backpackers, and sightseers in this neck of the woods, critters large and small continue to feverishly prepare for the coldest months ahead. For the sturdier stock of visitors, it may be colder, but there’s an abundance of activities to do and nature to see in one of the darkest months of the year. It just might take a little more preparation to be sure you’ve packed the right gear to stay safe and mapped out the trail appropriately for the season. The Waiting Game In the early morning, frost and thin ice coat the ground and forest. It glistens and sparkles before thawing in the mid-day sun. But it foreshadows what’s to come: a season of snow and ice. As the month goes on, travel becomes a little more dangerous and a little trickier. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), ice needs to be at least 4” thick to travel across by foot. With some remote islands accessible only by boat, it’s all about the waiting game. Too far to travel by foot? You’ll need to wait even longer. MN DNR states very clearly that traveling by snowmobile or ATV on ice should only ever happen when the ice is at least 5” thick. For the fishing fanatics, ice fishing is one of the best ways to pass the time when the days are short and evenings long. Don’t have gear? No problem. Various resorts offer fishing rod and ice house rentals, or can refer you to a guide. Once you’re on the lake, your present company and the sound of the wind and ice keep you company until the big one bites. Drop a line for walleye, crappie and northern pike, and sit back and enjoy the quiet and solitude on Rainy Lake. Fresh Powder Ever been on a popular ski trail and felt a little overwhelmed with the fast pace and the busyness of it all? You’re not alone. If you need a vacation from your vacation, try Voyageur National Park and take on the fresh powder by hitting the trail. Snowshoeing isn’t just a past-time for many who live here; it’s a means to get from point A to point B when the snow is thick and the ice roads aren’t open yet. But for many, it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of the engine-roaring roads. They strap in and head out in search of the familiar sound of the trees breathing deeply, the tracks from wildlife that remind you that you’re not alone, and the clean air that you’ll only get in the forest. You can borrow snowshoes at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Are you sold yet? Before you pack up the car and head to Rainy Lake Recreation Trail, it’s important to check the trail conditions. If you’re in the clear, make sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, a map, a compass, a flashlight with backup batteries, and a satellite phone (if you’re going off the trail this could come in handy in any emergency). The sun sets earlier and earlier, so each day becomes a little shorter than the one before. Don’t get caught in the dark with no way to see the path in front of you. The Other Kind of Trail Not all trails are meant to be traveled by foot. After a long day of snowshoeing, your legs might need some rest. With a complex trail system, you can travel practically anywhere by snowmobile within Voyageurs National Park in the winter. Head back to your favorite fishing spot or explore new areas of the park. Worried about trail marking and conditions? Don’t be. There are clear markers for the trails in this region and they are well maintained. To check conditions in the park before you hit the trail, visit the National Park Service page for the most up-to-date report. Similar to when you make plans to snowshoe, pack the essentials and be prepared for the frigid temps at night after the sun goes down. If you’re an early riser, head out on the trail and find a place to park, turn off the engine and look up to the skies to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Less city light means more starlight which makes for near perfect conditions to look upward and revel in the beauty of the northern sky. Now that we have you dreaming and longing for the solitude of the north, let us help you plan your next visit. Whether you’re in need of a writer’s retreat or an outdoor adventure, this place will give you exactly what you are looking for, you just need to ask. Up in these parts, deer opener is considered as sacred as any other holiday on the calendar. Offices clear out and school lockers sit empty as sons and daughters of every generation pack their gear and head out to fill their tags.
For many, the thrill of the hunt itself is as much a reward as the bounty harvested in the field. Whether sitting still as a statue in a treestand or walking tree rows in a well-choreographed stalk with a hunting party, these are where lifelong hunting memories start… and up here in the pristine wilderness of Northern Minnesota, memories are waiting to be made. Koochiching County, situated on the Canadian border, is blessed with vast swaths of public land open for hunting and opportunities for big game hunters, as well as waterfowl and upland game. In fact, Koochiching County is one of the few places where you can find success hunting all three of Minnesota’s native grouse species. Sharp-tailed, ruffed, and spruce grouse all reside here, giving you the ultimate chance at success. Even in down years, hunters have found Kooch forests and fields buzzing with grouse activity. The Minnesota wilderness surrounding Ranier and International Falls is a hunting ground like no other because it offers not just abundant wildlife, but a chance to encounter a serene and utterly breathtaking wilderness most Americans only glimpse on TV. It’s the stuff of poetry. Here, in the rich green forests of Koochiching County, you can commune with nature, fall into the rhythm of the natural world, and escape the distractions of modern life… if only for a moment. While it’s rare to find an easy hunt, the challenge is usually only as demanding as you want it to be. If you want to bushwhack your way into the deep back country with a rifle slung over your shoulder to scout your trophy buck or search for the mature black bear worthy of a full mount, you’ll get your shot. If you’d rather climb into a treestand with your bow, hunker down, and enjoy a crisp, early winter sunrise while waiting for the right opening to present itself, you can do that, too. Find the full list of Minnesota hunting season dates on the DNR website, then plan your trip north to create memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll go home with memories for sure, and likely a freezer’s worth of meat. And perhaps a trophy for your game room. Voyageurs National Park, nestled just south of the Canadian border in the northern Minnesota wilderness, is renowned for its storybook-like old growth forests, seemingly endless miles of shoreline, and hundreds of islands dotting Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Namakan Lake… enough to give you the sense that when you’re there, you’re the only one there. It’s why nearly a quarter of a million of travelers set their compasses northwards each year to explore all the park has to offer.
Most of those visits, however, come in the warmer summer months for obvious reasons. Voyageurs provides world-class paddling opportunities, as well as unforgettable houseboat trips, fishing hot spots, and wildlife viewing you simply can’t find anywhere else. But once the sun begins to set earlier and earlier, the temps dip and fall crisps the air just enough to keep many would-be visitors away. But for those who actually prefer to beat the heat of summer and embrace the changing seasons, Voyageurs rewards with rich colors, crystal clear waters, and a true sense of independence and freedom from the modern world as your chances of having to share the trail or the lookout drastically decline. Fall is the ideal time to visit if you’d prefer to skip the crowds. Simply pack a set of long underwear and your down puffer vest in case you need an extra layer or two and enjoy the park undisturbed, unrushed, and uninhibited. Highlights of your fall visit will undoubtedly be the changing colors along the shorelines and hiking trails, along with perhaps more abundant wildlife no longer scared off by heavy foot traffic. The earlier sunsets also bode well for those seeking a glimpse of Northern Lights. Birds are migrating, deer are feeding, as are bear and moose in preparation for the coming winter freeze. Nature is of course why we come to Voyageurs, but there are a couple manmade wonders well worth your time, as well. Kettle Falls & Kettle Falls Hotel For generations, Kettle Falls provided a picturesque stopping point along a well-traveled route used by Native peoples, fur traders, prospectors, and paddlers. Around the time construction of the dams at Kettle Falls began in 1910, the Kettle Falls Hotel was also built. The stonecutters and masons who built the dams were early patrons of the hotel, followed by lumberjacks, commercial fishermen, trappers, and traders. When logging and commercial fishing declined, tourism became the major industry. Today, the historic red roofed hotel plays host to those seeking a tranquil escape, as it is only accessible by boat or by float (float plane, that is). Ellsworth Rock Gardens The Ellsworth Rock Gardens have been known as the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama” since the 1940s. Over about a 20-year period, artist Jack Ellsworth relied on his skills as a carpenter and quite a bit of engineering creativity to build the complex. The Rock Garden features 62 terraced flower beds on the prominent outcrop, which Ellsworth filled with more than 13,000 lilies and other flower varieties. He also added more than 200 unique sculptures to complete his masterpiece. If nothing else, coming to Voyageurs National Park in the fall is a perfect time to make final plans for your winter excursion to the wild north and all the park has to offer under a blanket of fresh white snow. |
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