Lake Navigation
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Lake Navigation Quick Links
Navigating the Park Waterways Voyageurs National Park contains 84,000 acres of water, 655 miles of undeveloped shoreline, and more than 500 islands. Water-based travel is the predominant way to experience this national park. Four large lakes: Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes and 26 smaller interior lakes provide access to campsites, visitor destinations, hiking trails, and many recreational activities. Whether in a houseboat, motorboat, canoe, sailboat, or kayak, safely navigating the waterways is crucial for an enjoyable park experience. 
The arrows indicate the direction of water flow through Voyageurs National Park.
Minnesota Waterway Regulations Voyageurs National Park is subject to all State of Minnesota boating laws. On the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) website, Water Recreation and Rules, you can find:
On the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, Child Life Jacket Wear Law Summary, you can find specific information regarding child age requirements for life jackets. Navigational Routes, and Aides The U.S. Coast Guard has established and maintains the marked routes within the park. Along these routes, a "safe" channel is marked with Nuns (red conical shaped markers) and Cans (green square shaped markers) and unusual rock hazards (white and orange square shaped markers). Navigational maps DO NOT display all rock hazards and not all rock hazards are marked due to changing water levels throughout the season the location of which rocks are a hazard can change. Caution is advised when traveling the waters of Voyageurs National Park. The national park service advises NOT to solely rely on GPS units, carry good navigational charts. Not all rock hazards are marked due to changing water levels. For an overview of the routes, you can examine the National Geographic Campsite Map on our Maps page. This map is not intended for navigational use rather for identify and locating campsites within the park. The 3 R's - Red, Right, Return When returning upstream, the red Nuns need to be on the right side (starboard) of your watercraft. The green Cans need to be on the left (port) side of your watercraft. This creates the common safety message: "Red, Right, Return. Red Cans need to be on your right side when returning to the source of the water." 
Navigational Management of Voyageurs' Waterways United States Coast Guard Buoys can occasionally float off course. Make sure to check your navigational charts and/or GPS units for the correct routes. If a Nun or Can floats off the directed course, usually due to high winds, contact the U.S.C.G. Lamplighters. Rainy Lake Lamplighter:
USCG: 807-468-6441 Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes Lamplighter:
National Park Service The National Park Service does not mark the navigational routes. Please contact the U.S.C.G. for questions regarding navigational buoys, see above numbers. In the case of low water levels the National Park Service may place extra buoys on the waterways for safe navigation. If you have a question regarding the rock markers, please email the Chief of Resource Protection or call park headquarters at 218-283-6600. Purchasing Lake Navigational Maps At least one good navigational chart/map of the area in which you will be traveling is essential for a safe and enjoyable park experience. DO NOT rely solely on digital devices such as GPS units or cell phones - connections in the park are unreliable. To purchase maps:
GPS Navigation The use of GPS devises to navigate has become increasingly popular. The park provides a list of GPS sites in several formats for assistance in locating specific campsites, houseboat sites, day use sites, and visitor destination sites on the waterways. Always bring a good navigation chart/map and know how to read it when on the water. This GPS information is NOT for waterway navigation. Boating in Canada If you plan on crossing the international waterways into Canada, know the regulations before you go. Check-out Canadian boating requirements on the Ontario website. Emergencies The local sheriff's office, MN DNR, local businesses, and the National Park Service monitor Marine Band Radio Channel 16 in case of emergencies. Keep in mind this channel is monitored by businesses or the NPS during business hours only. |
Did You Know?
You can view yellow and showy ladyslipper orchids outside of the Kabetogama Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park. Blooms typically occur in late spring or early summer. Call ahead for details.