Voyageurs National Park Camping Permits

About

Voyageurs National Park preserves over 218,000 acres of interconnected waterways and boreal forest along the Minnesota-Canada border. The park's camping permit system covers 159 designated campsites spread across four major lakes and interior backcountry waters. All frontcountry and backcountry sites require travel by private watercraft or water taxi; there is no drive-up camping within the park. Frontcountry sites are the most accessible, located directly on the large lakes with either sand or dock landings. These sites include fire rings with cooking grates, 14x14-foot tent pads, bear-proof food lockers, picnic tables, and vault privies. Large sites accommodate up to 18 people with four tent pads, while group sites handle 30 campers. Backcountry sites on interior lakes like Locator, Shoepack, and Cruiser require hiking from boat-accessible trailheads and include a canoe with each reservation. The two primitive sites, Red Pine and Blueberry Ridge, are the park's only walk-in options, accessed via the 28-mile Kab-Ash Trail. These offer only fire rings and cleared tent areas with no privies or bear storage. Campers must follow strict Leave No Trace practices and hang food properly.

Directions

Voyageurs National Park is approximately 5 hours north of Minneapolis-St. Paul via I-35 and US-53, or 3 hours north of Duluth on US-53. Access points include Rainy Lake Visitor Center near International Falls, Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, and Ash River Visitor Center. Falls International Airport in International Falls offers the closest commercial flights. No public transportation serves the park. All campsites require watercraft access from visitor center boat ramps, except primitive sites on the Kab-Ash Trail.