Camping at Voyageurs National Park

A Voyaguers National Park sign on a rock point on Lake Kabetogama

Voyageurs is a water-based national park

  • All campsite types (except primitive) require a watercraft in summer
  • All camping types require a reservation/permit
  • Lakes can remain ice-covered until mid-May, but ice-out dates vary greatly
  • Lakes typically begin to freeze up in November
  • If winter camping or venturing onto the ice, check the most recent trails report

Planning a camping trip at a water-based park comes with extra considerations, but by understanding the options below, you can be sure to find an adventure that best suits you!

Click on a camping type below to learn more about planning your Voyageurs adventure!

 
Three wooden stairs lead to a tent pad with a large blue and green tent surrounded by trees.
Frontcountry Camping

Have access to a watercraft? These 137 sites are located on the park's large lakes and are directly accessible from any park boat launch.

Paddling a canoe between Locator and War Club Lakes in the backcountry of Voyageurs National Park
Backcountry Camping and Canoe Rentals

Looking for a secluded camping trip that incorporates backpacking? These remote sites require a boat ride to a trailhead followed by hiking.

A fire ring sits on a granite ridge surrounded by trees and distant forest.
Primitive Camping

Want a backcountry experience without leaving the mainland? VNP has two hike-in campsites along the Kab-Ash Trail that don't require a boat!

A picturesque shoreline near the Woodenfrog State Forst Campground on Kabetogama Lake
Nearby Drive-In Camping

Prefer a campground you can drive a car or RV to? Click here for nearby campground options outside the boundaries of the park.

 

Winter Camping

Campsites in the park may also be accessed by foot and snowmobile when proper winter conditions and safe ice are present. With the proper precautions and winter safety guidelines in mind, Voyageurs National Park is an ideal winter adventure destination!

Site Types and Amenities Available

Voyageurs National Park has a variery of site types to accommodate visitors, from overnight campsites to day use areas for picnics and swimming. Here's a breakdown of all the site types you can find in Voyageurs National Park.

Leave No Trace Principles

In a water-based National Park with remote campsites, we hope that visitors feel compelled to do their part in keeping this special place pristine for the enjoyment of future visitors. The stewardship mindset is so very important in maintaining the health and beauty of this and all protected places. Please keep these simple yet impactful Leave No Trace principals in mind to help guide you in leaving the places you visit better than you found them.

 
 

Frontcountry, Backcountry & Primitive Campsite Map

All frontcountry and backcountry campsites require travel by boat. Primitive sites do not require a boat but require hiking several miles. Click on any site below to see more detailed information and make reservations on recreation.gov. Use the map's measuring tool to find distances between sites or plan paddling routes.

 

Last updated: November 8, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Voyageurs National Park Headquarters
360 Hwy 11 East
International Falls, MN 56649

Phone:

(218)-283-6600

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