News Release

Voyageurs National Park Reservations for 2023 Boat Tours and North Canoe Programs Open April 15

Ne-zho-dain tour boat

NPS/M.Miller

News Release Date: April 10, 2023

Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, [phone]

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: Voyageurs National Park staff announce ranger-led boat tours and North Canoe Voyage reservations open at 9:00 am CST on April 15 for the 2023 season.

Tours departing from Rainy Lake Visitor Center

• Discovery Cruise
• Gold Mine Tour
• Grand Tour
• Starwatch Cruise
• Kettle Falls Cruise

Tours departing from Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

• Ellsworth Rock Gardens (June / July)

Tours departing from Ash River Visitor Center

• Ellsworth Rock Gardens (August / Sept)
• Kettle Falls Day Cruise
• Kettle Falls Evening Cruise

Special Interpretive Programs

• Rainy Lake North Canoe Voyage departing from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center
• Ash River North Canoe Voyage departing from the Ash River Visitor Center

Park staff encourage visitors to make reservations as soon as they know their plans. Visitors may find tour descriptions and reserve their tickets by going to recreation.gov’s Voyageurs National Park Tours page for boat tours, and the Special Interpretive Programs page for North Canoe Voyage reservations. Tickets can also be purchased by contacting the National Call Center at [phone]. Walk-ins are allowed only if space is available.

During the summer of 2021 the National Park Service completed a Civic Engagement process to determine if changes to recreation fee rates are warranted for park amenities. From June 28 to July 25 of 2021, public meetings and online resources were offered as opportunities to provide comment. After evaluating the responses submitted, park and regional officials determined that the majority of the public supported the proposed changes. Commencing with the Special Interpretive Program Fee in the summer of 2023 completes the implementation of all fee changes approved in 2021.

Voyageurs National Park’s alternative transportation program is crucial for providing meaningful visitor experiences in a unique water-based park where much of the rich natural and cultural resources can only be viewed beyond where roads end. For visitors without a vessel, boat tours and North Canoe Voyage’s offer a way to experience the scenic and expansive waterways, abundant wildlife, ancient geologic formations, and remote Visitor Destination sites that are dedicated to sharing the park’s history and significance.

Fee revenue brought in from the transportation program allows these tours to be self-sustaining, covering costs for fuel, maintenance, and approximately 75% of the seasonal staff that conduct tours. This includes boat captains and deckhands to safely transport visitors, and knowledgeable interpretive rangers to provide engaging interpretive talks. Similarly, revenue from the Special Interpretive Programs will help cover costs for supplies and staff needed to offer these services.