Voyageurs National Park is a land and water environment of great beauty, exceptional natural and cultural resources, and abundant recreation opportunities. Located in the lake country of northern Minnesota, the park protects 218,054 acres that include roughly 134,000 acres of forest, 84,000 acres of water, 655-miles of undeveloped shoreline, and hundreds of islands. The park's 55-mile northern boundary is the international border between the United States and Canada and includes an important segment of the "transcontinental highway" traversed by French-Canadian voyageurs during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The rocks tell the oldest story here. Lying in the southern portion of the Canadian Shield, the bedrock of Voyageurs National Park is 2.8 billion years old, some of the oldest exposed rock in the world. Younger rock formations do not appear here. Perhaps they never existed; but more likely a series of glaciers removed them. Those glaciers, more than a mile high, also scoured out the lake and river beds and set the stage for vast forests. To experience the natural splendor of Voyageurs National Park, visitors must set out by water, much as the Voyageurs did centuries ago. The park includes four major lakes -- Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, and twenty-six smaller inland lakes that together make up more than a third of the total park area. The inland lakes are primarily found on the Kabetogama Peninsula; Voyageurs' largest landmass that can be reached by water in summer or over the ice in winter. There are four distinct seasons in Voyageur country. The air is temperate during the frost free-season of June to mid-September, when periods of fine, warm weather prevail, followed by a cool, colorful fall. The first measurable snowfall is in late October and the last in late April or early May. The average ice-out date is May 3, but varies yearly. Annual precipitation averages 25-28 inches of rain and snow, and average snowfall ranges from 55-70 inches, but is highly variable. The park offers more than 52 miles of hiking trails and more than 290 designated campsites, houseboat sites, and day use sites. There is no permit needed for day use within park boundaries. Houseboats staying overnight in the park from May 1 through October 31 are required to obtain an overnight permit from Recreation.gov. It is recommended to moor overnight at any of the park's 97 developed houseboat sites, which offer a fire ring and mooring aids. Fires are only permitted in metal fire rings provided. Keep Voyageurs National Park Wild for Future Generations: The Voyageurs Conservancy is the park's official nonprofit partner representing a community of people who care about the ongoing stewardship of Voyageurs National Park. VNPA works to fund projects and programs that will help sustain the park's waters, wild character, and visitor experience for generations to come. Become a member today, follow them on Facebook and Instagram , or sign up for their e-newsletter .