What Makes Canoeing & Kayaking in Voyageurs National Park Special?

If you plan to paddle Voyageurs National Park, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Nearly half of this park’s 220,000 acres are made up of water. While a houseboat provides exceptional comfort in a place so remote, some visitors want to spend some time away from modern conveniences. Canoes and kayaks provide a unique glimpse into Voyageurs’ living and breathing ecosystems.

Whether you’re hoping to get a closer view of wildlife, explore narrow passages between islands, or want to test your rowing endurance as a physical challenge, you’ll enjoy a uniquely picturesque Northwoods setting during your Voyageurs National Park canoeing and kayaking journey. In this pristine area of natural beauty, you can explore:

• 1,000+ forested islands
• Four major lakes
• 600+ miles of shoreline
• Historic waterways

No matter where you’re kayaking or canoeing at Voyageurs National Park, there is always something new to see. Native Americans and early French fur traders used these lakes and passages to support their livelihoods, and these historic water highways continue to inspire adventure and exploration.

Seasonal Considerations for Your MN Canoeing or Kayaking Activities

As with any outdoor activity, the time of year you choose to visit the Northwoods will have a significant impact on your experience. When most people think about canoeing or kayaking in Minnesota, the setting in their minds is likely to be warm with plentiful sunshine. What’s important to remember is that Voyageurs National Park is on the northern border of Minnesota, and needless to say, it tends to get cold in this region. It never hurts to bring a jacket along, even on the sunniest of days!

When the water is frozen, it makes canoeing and kayaking MN’s Rainy Lake a bit … impossible. After the frigid chill of a northern winter, the waters begin to thaw typically in late April or early May.

As soon as the ice is off the lake, canoeing and kayaking are open to the public. Spring, summer and fall are all great times to paddle around and admire the surroundings at Voyageurs National Park. Fall, in particular, brings striking colors to the area’s foliage.