Camping at Voyageurs National Park

NPS

Tent camping is a popular way to experience the park.

Sleep under the stars in one of over 200 designated campsites in Voyageurs National Park. Be serenaded by loons, and listen for the chance to hear the howl of a wolf.

Campsite Locations

All designated campsites in the park are accessible only by water. The National Geographic Map of Voyageurs National Park is the only map the shows all of the campsites (as of 2011) in the park. It can be purchased at the visitor centers or online from our cooperating association, Jefferson National Parks Association.

You can also view all locations of campsites, houseboat sites, and day use sites (as of 2009) in Google Maps:

• Three-dimensional view of locations on satellite photos (browser plug-in required; high bandwidth)
  
• Two-dimensional view of locations on satellite photos (low bandwidth)
  
• Two dimensional view of locations on a topographic map (low bandwidth)
  

If you have free Google Earth software on your computer, you can download and save this Google Earth (KML) file to your home computer. Like the maps above, it contains every campsite, houseboat site, and day use site in Voyageurs National Park as of 2009.

There are also several hike-in campsites on the Kabetogama Peninsula, but a boat is required to access the trailheads. Some of these campsites are located on interior lakes and have canoes available for checkout. Download the Boats on Interior Lakes Program brochure (PDF) for more information.

There are drive-up campsites located just outside of the park at the Woodenfrog and Ash River State Forest campgrounds. See the campgrounds page more information.

Regulations

A free permit is required for overnight stays in the park. You can get your permit at a park visitor center during regular business hours or self-register at one of the permit stations located near all park boat launch facilities.

Most campsites in the park are available only on a "first-come, first-served" basis. There are also two designated group campsites which may be reserved (fee applies). Download the group campsite reservation brochure (PDF).

There is an accessible campsite available on Namakan Lake. Download the accessible campsite brochure (PDF) for more information.

Camping in Voyageurs National Park is limited to 14 days at a specific site between May 15th and September 15th, and a maximum of 30 days in a calendar year.