News Release

Voyageurs National Park Advises Caution When Traveling Near Rudder Bay On Kabetogama Lake

Please use caution this winter while traveling the Rudder Bay Trail in Voyageurs National Park as there will be a small reroute for the entire season.

News Release Date: November 27, 2017

Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, 218-283-6670

INTERNATIONAL FALLS: Voyageurs National park staff closed Rudder Bay on Kabetogama Lake in the fall due to a large floating cattail mat, the bay remains closed for safety reasons. To prevent the mat from creating a navigational hazard, park staff moved the mat to Rudder Bay, and enclosed the entrance of the bay with a silt barrier.
 

While ice conditions do not currently allow for travel across frozen surfaces, park staff are planning for winter snowmobile access and will be addressing this issue near Rudder Bay to allow for safe snowmobile travel through the area along a designated trail.  
 

Please keep the following in mind when traveling in the vicinity of Rudder Bay this winter:

• Snowmobile access through Rudder Bay will be closed until the designated trail is officially open
• Once open, the designated trail will be routed along the west shoreline edge of the entrance to Rudder Bay
• The rerouted section of trail will be narrow and have a slight rise as it goes along the shoreline -- travel slowly.
• The silt barrier across the entrance to the bay will be clearly marked with orange fencing and reflective stakes. Avoid this area.
• DO NOT drive on, near, or tamper with the silt barrier. Doing so will destroy the barrier and cause potential navigational hazards in the spring.

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