Hiking Trails

Enjoy the different seasons of the Oberholtzer Trail.

NPS

Land Access (accessible by car)

*Please stop in at a visitor center for detailed trail maps for Voyageurs National Park.

TRAILS

Blind Ash Bay Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles loop
Hiking Time: 2.5 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe

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.

Echo Bay Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 2.5 mile loop
Hiking Time: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Cross Country Ski

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, with sightings from warblers to woodpeckers.

Ethno-botanical Garden Trail
Difficulty: Easy, ADA accessible
Hiking Distance: 0.25 mile, loop
Hiking Time: 20 minutes
Winter Use: Snowshoe

Step back in time and visit a native plant garden and Ojibwe Indian encampment. Learn about native and exotive flora and their mark on the park. The garden reflects the seasonal plants and the role they play in the life of the native peoples here.

Kab-Ash Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 27.9 mile system
Hiking Time: Days
Winter Use: Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski

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.

Oberholtzer Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 1.7 miles
Hiking Time: 45 minutes, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe

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 accessible for the first 1/4 mile.

Rainy Lake Recreation Trail
Difficulty: Easy, ADA accessible
Hiking Distance: 1.75 miles
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe

This trail offers visitors a wonderful experience as it meanders along the park road, into the woods, and around rock outcrops. Bicyclists, walkers, runners, skiers, and snowshoers will be treated to views of forest, lake, and marsh scenery.

Sullivan Bay Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 1.5 miles, round trip
Hiking Time: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: Snowshoe

An easy hike on an old road which is mostly flat with one small hill toward the end of the trail and a rewarding view of Sullivan Bay at the end.

Voyageurs' Tilson Connector Ski Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Skiing Distance: 1 mile, one-way
Skiing Time: 20 minutes
Summer Use: None

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages this ten mile network of interconnected ski trails. Several routes are possible, ranging from short loops to longer excursions. You can access this system from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center area on the park's Tilson Connector Trail.

OVERLOOKS

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

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.

Kabetogama Lake Overlook

Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Distance: 0.2 mile one way
Hiking Time: 20 minutes
Winter Use: None

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.

Voyageurs Forest Overlook

Difficulty: Easy

Hiking Distance: 0.5 mile loop

Hiking Time: 30 minutes

Winter Use: None

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.

 

Unnamed pond from the Cruiser Lake Trail

Water Access (accessible only by boat)

*Please stop in at a visitor center for detailed trail maps for Voyageurs National Park.

RAINY LAKE

Black Bay Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 1.2 miles, round trip
Hiking Time: 1 hour, round trip
Winter Use: Ski and snowshoe
Skiing Distance: 1 to 6 mile loops available
Skiing Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours

Located across Black Bay, 1 mile north of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. This trail takes you through northern pine country to a scenic and active beaver pond by hike or snowshoe. Continue further by cross country ski.

Anderson Bay Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance: 1.75 mile loop
Hiking Time: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: None

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, ADA Accessible
Hiking Distance: 0.25 loop
Hiking Time: 20 minutes
Winter Use: None

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

KABETOGAMA LAKE

Cruiser Lake Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 9.5 miles, one way
Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours
Winter Use: None

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
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hiking Distance: 2 miles, one way
Hiking Time: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: None

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: 2 hours, round trip
Winter Use: None

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.