Experience the

Dark Skies​

Voyageurs National Park has a prestigious International Dark Sky Park certification from the International Dark-Sky Association. Come experience the park’s celestial wonders for yourself!

Rainy Lake Visitor Center

Open year-round, the Rainy Lake Visitor Center is the only visitor center in Voyageurs National Park accessible in every season, making it a perfect starting point for your adventure. Check here for current hours.

There is no entrance fee to visit Voyageurs National Park.

Located along the shores of Black Bay, the center offers stunning views across the water to the Kabetogama Peninsula and is a great spot for viewing the northern lights under Voyageurs’ dark skies.

Inside, you’ll find:
• Interactive exhibits and displays about the park
• A park film shown in the theater
• A gift shop and trip-planning resources
• A staffed information desk for local guidance
• A children’s activity area for young explorers

Outside, you’ll find:
• A free public boat launch with access to Rainy Lake
• Access to the Oberholtzer Trail and Rainy Lake Recreation Trail
• Scenic shoreline views and photo opportunities
• Access to the Rainy Lake Ice Road in winter

The visitor center also hosts events and ranger-led programs throughout the year, along with opportunities to join boat tours during the summer season.

In winter, visitors can take advantage of snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals available through the park.

Colorful Northern Lights glow in shades of green, purple, and yellow above Minnesota’s Rainy Lake, with silhouettes of trees reflected in the calm water and a few reeds visible in the foreground. | Rainy Lake, MN
A brown sign for Rainy Lake Visitor Center at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota stands before stonework, framed by green and yellow-leaved trees under a cloudy sky. | Rainy Lake, MN
A group of people stand on a wooden dock over Rainy Lake, surrounded by trees. In the background, a motorboat moves across the water under a partly cloudy Minnesota sky. Some leaves frame the image in the foreground. | Rainy Lake, MN
A small passenger boat named "Voyageur" cruises on Minnesota’s Rainy Lake with several people standing on the upper and lower decks, enjoying the view on a sunny day. Trees line the distant shore under a partly cloudy sky. | Rainy Lake, MN

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Tilson Creek Bogwalk

This scenic route offers a 1-mile boardwalk in the summer and transforms into part of the Tilson Ski Trail in winter, making it a year-round outdoor favorite.

In warmer months, the wide, floating boardwalk is perfect for walking, running, or pushing a stroller as it winds through a unique bog ecosystem with tamarack trees and other interesting plant life. A quiet resting spot along the way invites visitors to pause and enjoy the surroundings.

In winter, the same area becomes a peaceful cross-country skiing experience, connecting to a larger, clearly marked trail system for those looking to explore farther.

The walk does not allow motorized vehicles.

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Northern Lights

Located in Northern Minnesota, the Rainy Lake area and Voyageurs National Park are renowned for their stunning displays of the Northern Lights, making them prime destinations for aurora enthusiasts. While this natural phenomenon isn’t guaranteed, checking aurora borealis forecasts can help increase your chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring display. Even if they don’t show up, you’ll have an amazing view of the starry night sky!

Whether you explore the park by snowshoe, ski, snowmobile, or choose to camp beneath the stars, a breathtaking celestial show awaits.

Learn more about the park’s dark skies and its International Dark Sky Park designation.

Learn More

Make your plan for

the Northern Lights

When’s the best time to see the northern lights?
A person wearing boots and a jacket stands on a snowy field at night near Rainy Lake, Minnesota, facing green Northern Lights in the sky. Trees are visible in the distance as a beam of light shines from their headlamp.

The Northern Lights are most commonly visible from late September to early April. During these months, the nights are longer and darker, providing more opportunities to see the auroras. The peak season is generally from October to March. Ensuring you have dark, clear skies will give you the best chance of witnessing the Northern Lights.

If you plan on taking some pictures, make sure you have your camera settings on long exposure to enhance the colors and movement. Consider using a wide-angle lens.

How to know if there will be any aurora activity?
The northern lights with streaks of green, purple, and blue illuminate a star-filled night sky above Minnesota’s tranquil Rainy Lake and a dark, tree-lined horizon. | Rainy Lake, MN

The aurora needs to be active, which is influenced by solar particles, especially during solar flares. The Alaska Geophysical Institute’s Aurora Forecast is a handy tool you can use to see the aurora’s activity.

Check any of the following apps for viewing predictions. Many factors beyond weather influence your chance at seeing the Northern Lights, including geomagnetic activity, moon location and phase, and your exact location. To help you navigate your plan of action, there are apps that predict Northern Light activity and tell you when and where to go for your best chance at seeing the phenomenon.Here are a few popular apps available for iOS and Android:

What to Bring for Northern Lights Viewing?
Green and purple northern lights illuminate the night sky above Rainy Lake, Minnesota, with a silhouette of a tree-covered island in the foreground. The water reflects the vibrant aurora colors, creating a serene, magical scene. | Rainy Lake, MN

Northern Minnesota nights can be chilly, make sure you’re comfortable! Consider bringing:

  • Extra Layers (jackets, mittens & hats)
  • Blanket
  • Chair
  • Bug Spray 
  • Water
  • Portable Charger
  • Red Light
Where are the best places to see the northern lights?
An old metal and wood bridge crosses a calm river at night near Rainy Lake, Minnesota, with vibrant green and purple aurora borealis lights illuminating the starry sky above and reflecting in the water below. Trees line the riverbanks. | Rainy Lake, MN

Voyageurs National Park is an exceptional spot to see the aurora borealis! Find a spot with an open, unobstructed view facing north.

Recommended viewing spots:

  • Tilson Creek Bogwalk
  • VNP Rainy Lake Visitor Center (upper parking lot) 
  • VNP Ash River Visitor Center
  • Meadwood Road Day Use Area
  • Any VNP Campsite
  • Big Falls Campgrounds