Hiking Trails

Oberholtzer Trail in Fall

NPS

Hike along one of the nine trails within Voyageurs National Park and explore the wonderful diversity the park has to offer. Trails are accessible by water and by land. Note that pets are not permitted on park hiking trails.

Land Access (accessible by car)

TRAILS

Oberholtzer Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 1.7 miles
Hiking Time (round trip): 45 minutes

Travel from just outside the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to two overlooks to see the diversity of forest and wetland types in the park. This trail is wheelchair accessible for the first 1/4 mile. This trail is tracked for snowshoeing during the winter.

Echo Bay Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 2.5 mile loop
Hiking Time (round trip): 2 hours

This park trail is located three miles from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center off Country Road 122. A wide path takes you from aspens to pines as you pass through lowlands and rocky outcrops. Birding is great there with a great blue heron rookery and sightings from warblers to woodpeckers. Sections of this trail are groomed for skiing in the winter months.

Kab-Ash Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 27.9 mile system
Hiking Time: Days

This trail connects the Kabetogama and Ash River communities. Travel through backcountry forests and wetlands on this extensive system of interconnected trails. Four trailheads make it possible to hike sections of this trail or the whole trail for an in depth view of the park.

Blind Ash Bay Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles loop
Hiking Time (round trip): 2.5 hours

Park at the Kabetogama Lake Overlook near the Ash River Visitor Center to access the trailhead. Travel a narrow, winding, rocky trail to experience the wonders of the boreal forest and to view spectacular scenery.

OVERLOOKS

Beaver Pond Overlook
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 0.2 mile, one way
Hiking Time: 30 minutes

This is the second trailhead on your left as you are driving to the Ash River Visitor Center. A short uphill hike leads to a rocky terrace high above a beaver pond. Although beavers are no longer active at this pond, this trail provides great birding opportunities, and the possibility of spotting large wildlife.

Voyageurs Forest Overlook
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 0.5 mile loop
Hiking Time: 30 minutes

The entrance to this short trail is the first pullout on your right as you are driving to the Ash River Visitor Center, just after turning off County Road 129. A picnic table and restroom are located at the trailhead, making this a good spot to get out of your car and stretch your legs.

Kabetogama Lake Overlook
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 0.2 mile one way
Hiking Time: 20 minutes

This is the third pullout on your left as you are driving to the Ash River Visitor Center. This short walk is handicap accessible and will take you to a wayside that looks west towards Kabetogama Lake.

 

Unnamed pond from the Cruiser Lake Trail

NPS/Matt Holly

Water Access (accessible only by boat)

RAINY LAKE

Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 1.18 miles, roundtrip
Hiking Time (round trip): 1 hour

This trailhead is located across Black Bay, north of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. This trail takes you through northern pine country to a scenic and active beaver pond.

Anderson Bay Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 1.75 mile loop
Hiking Time (round trip): 2 hours

The trailhead is located on the east end of Rainy Lake just past the Kempton channel. This trail takes you up a rocky cliff to a spectacular view of Rainy Lake.

Little American Island
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: .25 loop
Hiking Time (round trip): 20 minutes

Discover the past on Little American Gold Mine Island while you explore the history of gold mining activities. Today mine shafts, tailings, piles & machinery remain from the 1890s gold rush.

KABETOGAMA LAKE

Cruiser Lake Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 9.5 miles, one way
Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours

This trailhead is accessible from either the Rainy or Kabetogama Lake side of the park. This trail crosses over the peninsula, up rocky cliffs and down into remote wetland areas. If you are hoping to spot some of the park's larger wildlife, hiking this trail will increase your chances of spotting a moose or hearing the howl of a wolf.

Locator Lake Trail (PDF)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 2 miles, one way
Hiking Time (round trip): 2 hours

The trailhead is located across Kabetogama Lake north from the visitor center. This trail takes you up and down a variety of hills and through forests and wetlands.

NAMAKAN LAKE

Beast Lake Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles, one way
Hiking Time (round trip): 2 hours

This trail climbs the majority of the way along a ridge top. A steep climb at the beginning and at the end awaits the adventurous.