Driving Directions

You can drive to all three of the park's visitor centers. Beyond that point the most common and efficient means of transportation is boat.

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Directions

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Driving Directions Details

Accessing Voyageurs National Park and navigating its expansive waterways and rugged landscapes is a journey that begins with reaching one of its three main visitor centers. These gateways to the park are accessible by car, setting the stage for the adventures that lie beyond, where the land gives way to the water's embrace. Rainy Lake Visitor Center: For those approaching from the northwest of Minnesota, including the area around International Falls, the Rainy Lake Visitor Center serves as the primary entry point. The journey east on Highway 11, followed by a turn onto Highway 96, leads directly to the visitor center, located at the road's end by the water. This route offers a straightforward drive, culminating in a location where the vast waters of Rainy Lake beckon, marking the transition from terrestrial travel to the aquatic exploration that defines Voyageurs. Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center: Travelers coming from the south, including those starting in the Twin Cities, will find the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center an accessible gateway. The drive involves a northward path on Interstate 35 to Cloquet, transitioning onto Interstate 53, and finally exiting onto County Road 123. This scenic route through Minnesota's northern landscape leads directly to the shores of Kabetogama Lake, where the park's water-based adventures await. Ash River Visitor Center: A similar path from the Twin Cities, diverging slightly earlier on I-53 onto CR-129 or Ash River Trail, guides visitors to the Ash River Visitor Center. A left turn onto an unmarked access road reveals this less-trodden entry point into the park, offering a sense of discovery and anticipation as the road leads to the heart of Voyageurs. Crane Lake Ranger Station: For a more remote entry experience, the Crane Lake Ranger Station is reachable from the Twin Cities by taking I-35 north to Orr, then following Orr Buyck Road which merges into Crane Lake Road (Highway 24). This route offers a drive through the picturesque northern wilderness, ending at a location that serves as a stepping stone to the secluded parts of the park. Once within the park, the vast majority of its landscapes, covering over 218,054 acres, of which 84,000 are water, are best explored by boat. Boating stands as not just a popular pastime but the essential mode of transportation to navigate the park's interconnected water systems, islands, and secluded areas. Whether it's for fishing, sightseeing, or journeying to remote campsites, a boat allows visitors to immerse themselves fully in the unique aquatic environment that Voyageurs National Park offers. The transition from road to water at these visitor centers marks the beginning of an adventure where the waterways dictate the pace and the rhythm of exploration. Here, the wilderness of northern Minnesota unfolds in its full majesty, inviting visitors to leave the land behind and embrace the fluid beauty of Voyageurs National Park.

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