National Park Service

Voyageurs In Depth

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Rainy Lake Visitor Center

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is located on the shore of Black Bay, with views across the water to the Kabetogama Peninsula. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is open year-round, although hours of operation vary with the season. During the winter the visitor center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is open daily from May 26 through September 30, 2006. This visitor center serves visitors to the northern part of the park, and is located approximately eleven miles from downtown International Falls, MN. The Visitor Center offers a museum, seasonal exhibits, a gift shop and bookstore, a staffed information desk, and a theater for viewing the park film.

The nearby boat launch provides boating access to Rainy Lake during the warm season, and access for cars on the Rainy Lake ice road during the coldest months of winter. See below for suggested activities during your visit to Voyageurs National Park and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Call ahead, or stop by for the most current information and for help with trip planning.

Planned Activities at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for Summer 2006:

North Canoe Voyage :
 June 23 - August 12
Friday & Saturday
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
(Adult $4, Child $2)
Paddle back in time aboard a North Canoe. Learn the voyageur paddle salute, explore the life of a voyageur and learn about the Ojibwe lifestyle from an Ojibwe Native American. Minimum age is 5. We recommend participants know how to swim. Call 218-875-2111 for reservations.

Morning, Afternoon & Evening Canoe:
June 18 - August 10
Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
(FREE)
Enjoy a tranquil canoe trip on Black Bay while keeping an eye out for wildlife. We provide lessons, canoes, paddles and life jackets. We recommend participants know how to swim.

Discovery Walk :
June 18 - August 12
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (FREE)
Join a park guide for a walking tour of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center grounds and learn about the rich natural and cultural history of Voyageurs National Park.

Click here for a complete list of summer programs offered at Voyageurs National Park for Summer 2006.

Short on Time? What to Do...

If you only have one hour...
View the park orientation film.
Tour the museum exhibits.
Take in the changing seasonal and interactive displays.
Warm up at the indoor fireplace during the winter.
Take the short path down to the lake's edge, boat docks and picnic area.

2 to 4 hours:

In addition to the activities described above, during the summer and fall you might enjoy taking a walk on the Oberholtzer Trail (click here for map) (1.5 mile loop), which begins just outside the visitor center. A trail guide and map are available at the information desk.

Pack a lunch and enjoy a lakeside meal in the park's picnic area, located adjacent to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch area.

During the summer months the park offers guided canoe trips and boat tours that depart on a regular schedule from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. The summer schedule will be posted on the website as soon as it is finalized.

During the winter you can explore the Oberholtzer Trail on snowshoes. Bring your own, or borrow a pair at the Visitor Center. Cross-country skis are available for rent. Adult skis are $5 per person, per day. Children's skis are available for loan at no cost.

Cross-country skiers can access the Voyageurs/Tilson Ski Trail from the upper parking lot of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Skiers can also access the Black Bay Ski Trails (click here for map) on the Kabetogama Peninsula via the park-maintained ice road once the surface of the lake has frozen to sufficient depth. Check at the park visitor center for the most current information on road and trail conditions before planning your trip.

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center

Visit All Three Park Visitor Centers

Rainy Lake Visitor Center

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

Ash River Visitor Center