Ever heard the old adage “Leave a place better than you found it?” Year round, Rainy Lake welcomes visitors in masses. Winter months bring visitors that pride themselves in hardiness and bravery against the cold. Spring brings fishing opener enthusiasts in troves. Summer months bring families looking to rent houseboats and forge memories not soon forgotten. Fall brings hunters and foliage fans ready to admire the beauty of the changing seasons. There are visitors that know the hard work it takes to keep this place pristine and magical all 365 days of the year. As visitors continue to make Rainy Lake a return destination, the bonds that form become harder to break and full-time residents grow fond of the familiar faces that become forever friends.
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The natural landscape and wildlife of this region make this place a sight to behold, but it’s the residents that give their time and devotion to a remote corner of the region to ensure that this place never loses its wonder. For visitors that want to make a difference wherever they go, there’s an upcoming event that allows participants to leave a lasting impact on Rainy Lake while enjoying an activity you already love.

Need some practice before your sign up? There is a plethora of well-groomed trails to discover. Visitors have been traveling to Rainy Lake for years to ride the trails and sightsee the beauty of the north under a thick blanket of white snow. Voyageur Trail Society keeps up-to-date trail conditions on their site here throughout the winter months.
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​If you’d like to find some straight shots or wide open space, check the trail map. We’ve prepared a checklist to review before you get on your sled to ensure you stay safe and are prepared for the conditions.

​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.

The holidays are over and winter is now in full swing. The bitter cold seems less intense under the mid-day sun and the wind comes and goes leaving moments of stillness in between. The temps are low (or below zero) and daylight is short. But up north, we don’t let this slow us down. In fact, we embrace the cold. Not just because we’ve built up a tolerance to frigid air, but because staying active keeps the winter blues away and gives us a special, rare glimpse into nature’s stark beauty that comes only in the deepest part of winter.
What are the secrets to a perfect winter day? We’re glad you asked. Here’s how we’d spend every precious moment of daylight in our beautiful corner of Voyageurs National Park.

• 8:00 AM: We’d start with a hearty breakfast. After a restful night at one of our favorite lodges, we’d prepare a delicious meal that fills us up before embarking on our adventures. If we have any leftovers, we’d pack them up for a snack to eat later.
• 9:00 AM: Daylight is passing quickly, so after cleaning up from breakfast, we’d quickly layer on winter gear over our clothes, grab our fishing license and rod, and head to our best-kept secret fishing spot. New to ice fishing? Here are a few tips on what gear you’ll need and how to find your own best-kept secret fishing spot.
• 11:00 AM: Despite your best efforts, you might need to warm up after over an hour of fishing. It’s time to head back to our lodge and prep lunch.
• Noon: It’s as warm as it will be all day around noon. So, after lunch, we decide to take a new form of transportation: snowmobile. We grab our helmet and head out on sled to Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
• 1:00 PM: We spend a few minutes exploring the bookstore, exhibit area, displays, and activity table before borrowing a free pair or two of cross country skis at the visitor center. With trails nearby, we map out our route and get moving.
• 2:30 PM: It’s time for a quick snack break. Cross country skiing can make you break a sweat, so we unpack our snacks and sit down for a moment to soak in our surroundings. Not sure what to pack beyond your breakfast scraps? Here are our top suggestions. Then, after a quick break, it’s time to head back to the visitor center and beat the setting sun.
• 4:00 PM: After returning our skis, we head back to our lodge and get cozy. We rest our legs and prepare any fish caught from earlier in the day for our supper. As the sun sets, we pour a cup of hot cocoa, watch the sky closely for any glimpse of the Northern Lights, and reminisce about our favorite moments from the busy day.