Tent Camping

Tent camping is one of many ways to experience Voyageurs National Park

Cecilia Gamba

 

Camping Resources

• Camping & Houseboating Maps
• Campsite Alerts
• General Park Regulations
• Types of Tent Campsites and Amenities
• Photos of Tent Campsites and Amenities
• Assistance for making an online Tent Campsite reservation
• Houseboating
• Assistance for making an online Houseboat permit reservation
• Leave No Trace Principles
• Your Fee Dollars at Work

 

Voyageurs National Park has more than 270 developed visitor use sites. These include; campsites, houseboat sites, and day use sites located within its boundaries. All of these sites offer outstanding amenities for your national park experience.

 

Frontcountry Tent Camping Requirements

Frontcountry tent camping is defined as campsites located along the shorelines of Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes that are accessible by watercraft.

• Reservations must be made prior to entering the park.
• When camping in the park, vehicles may be left at park visitor center parking lots for up to 14 days.
• Visitors are required to print their permit prior to arrival and place at site, inside the water-proof box, located on the bear-proof food locker.
• Check-in is 3:00 pm or later at the campsite.
• Check-out is by 12 noon at the campsite.
• Permits are non-transferable.
• If a permit does not accompany you to your site, your reservation is void. No refunds will be given.
• The maximum stay at a Frontcountry site is 14 consecutive days or no more than 30 in a calendar year.
• Minimum/maximum number of people allowed at sites:

Site	Minimum Number	Maximum Number
Small Campsite	1	9
Large Campsite	1	18
Group Campsite	14	30
Rental Canoe	1	3
Rental Rowboat	1	3

 

Backcountry Watercraft and Backcountry Tent Camping Requirements

Backcountry tent camping is defined as designated campsites located within the interior of the Kabetogama Peninsula and are accessible by a combination of watercraft and hiking.

• Watercraft may either be reserved for day use or for overnight use through www.recreation.gov.
• Keys may be picked up the day of the trip or one day prior to the trip from any park visitor center during regular hours.
• Keys must be returned to any park visitor center the day after the last day of the trip (drop boxes located outside).
• Pets are not allowed in the backcountry.
• Life jackets must be provided by the visitor and worn at all times when in watercrafts.
• The maximum stay is 7 days in a calendar year.
• Walk-ins are allowed for the same day use - fees apply.
• All other rules apply as stated for tent camping

 

How do I make a reservation?

Online at www.recreation.gov.
When making an online reservation:

1. Enter Voyageurs National Park in search bar.
2. Choose Voyageurs National Park Camping Permits.
3. Click on build itinerary. *Use search filters in order from left to right to find available dates.

• Need more assistance? View step-by-step directions on 'Making a Campsite Reservation'.

By phone at 1-877-444-6777.

The National Call Center hours are as follows:

• March 1- October 31- 9:00 am to 11:00 pm (CST)
• November 1- February 28- 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (CST)

 

How much does it cost?

Site (High-Use Season May 1 - September 30)	Reservation Fee	Amenity Fee
Small Campsite with 2 tent pads	$10 one time per reservation call	$20 per night
Large Campsite with 4 tent pads	$10 one time per reservation call	$24 per night
Group Campsite	$10 one time per reservation call	$35 per night
Backcountry Campsite with no canoe	$10 one time per reservation call	$16 per night
Backcountry Campsite with overnight canoe	$10 one time per reservation call	$28 per night
Day use rental canoe or rowboat	$10 one time per reservation call	$12 per day
Houseboats	Reservation Fee included in the Amenity Fee	$10 per night

 

Site (Low Season October 1 - April 30)	Reservation Fee	Amenity Fee
Small Campsite with no tent pads	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Small Campsite with 2 tent pads	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Large Campsite	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Group Campsite	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Backcountry Campsite	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Overnight Rental canoe or rowboat (with campsite)	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Day Use Rental Canoe or Rowboat	$10 one time per reservation call	N/A
Houseboat Site	Reservation Fee included in the Amenity Fee	N/A

 

Bear-proof food locker

Where do I get a permit?

• Once a reservation is made online or by phone, a confirmation email will be sent to the permit holder.
• 5 days prior to your arrival another email will be sent telling you how to print your permit.
• Once a permit is printed, you have confirmed your reservation and no refunds will be given.
• Permits must be brought to the park and placed in the provided water-proof box located on the bear-proof food locker at your site.
• If a permit does not accompany you to your site, your reservation is void. No refunds will be given.
• Permits are non-transferable.
• If you lose or misplace your permit, stop at one of the park's three visitor centers for assistance.

 

Where can I find a map of the campsites?

Voyageurs National Park has partnered with National Geographic who now publishes the official camping map. This map shows the most up-to-date campsites within the park and may be purchased at any of the park's three visitor centers or by going to www.jnpa.com.

View photos of all tent campsites within the park.
View campsite locations within the park.

 

What if I get delayed and cannot check-in by 3:00 pm?

• Permit holders will have 24 hours from the time of check-in (on the date of entry) to get to their site.
• If permit holder fails to arrive within 24 hours, the permit is void. No refunds will be given and the site will be available for others to reserve.

 

What if I need to leave the site earlier than planned?

Permit holders may leave their site before the end of their reserved time. Please report departure to one of the park's three visitor centers. $10 cancellation fee and current night’s fee will be charged, but refund will be given for any remaining nights.

 

How do I cancel a reservation?

Cancellations must be made by phone to Recreation.gov. Call 1-877-444-6777 to cancel a reservation. You cannot call a park office to make a cancellation or a change in your reservation. Fee applies; see below.

Action	Fee
Any change to your reservation	$10 reservation service fee
Cancel reservation more than 1 day prior to scheduled arrival date	$10 cancellation fee; receive full refund of nightly amenity fees
Cancel reservation less than 1 day prior to arrival date	$10 cancellation fee and forfeit first night's amenity fee
Early Departure	$10 cancellation fee, forfeit current night's fee, and recieve refund for remaining nights
Once a permit is printed	No refund available

 

How will I know if a site is reservable?

All tent sites are reservable sites

 

What if I get to the park and I don't have a reservation?

• Reservations can be made either online at www.recreation.gov or by calling [phone].
• If you cannot make a reservation, alternative camping can be found outside the park at nearby State Forest Campgrounds or locally owned campgrounds.

 

Can I stay at a Non Designated site?

• No

 

Reef Island Campsite, Sand Point, S15

Is day use allowed at reservable sites?

• There are 33 designated Day Use sites in the park that are designed for picnicking; please try and use them first
• If a campsite unoccupied, visitors may day use until 2:00 pm.
• Day use is not allowed at any designated houseboat site.