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Visitation

Visitor Impacts

Park visitation is highest from May through August when boating, camping, fishing, wildlife-watching and hiking are the main visitor activities. In the fall, canoeists and kayakers can experience the beautiful colors of Voyageurs during a season with less visitors and few insects. From January through March, the park is a primary destination for winter snowmobile vacations.

Weather conditions can be extremely variable both in summer and winter. Due to the often harsh cold of winter and the variable temperatures of summer, layers of clothing are recommended. Storms can rise quickly, and travel on large lakes can be dangerous. Current lake conditions and additional weather information can be obtained at the visitor centers.

Voyageurs has a US Coast Guard numbered buoy system to guide boaters. This system is dependent on the direction of water flow and can be explained by park staff in the visitor centers. Hazardous rocks, reefs and sandbars appear and disappear during the course of yearly water fluctuations. Not all hazards are marked. Boaters unfamiliar with the park should equip themselves with a map and compass and discuss travel routes with a ranger before leaving.

To prevent illnesses, lake water must be treated by boiling, filtering or chemicals before drinking.

Biting insects can interfere with the enjoyment of some summer activities. Dress appropriately and carry desired repellant.

Voyageurs is black bear country. Bear-proof methods of food storage is required. Be prepared to hang your food if food-storage locker space is not available. More information on precautionary measures regarding bears can be obtained at the visitor centers.

Visitor Center

Regular showings of a short park film and interpretive exhibits at the visitor centers provide an excellent overview of the park's natural and cultural resources. Information on camping and other park recreational uses is also available. Lakes States Interpretive Association has maps, books, tapes, and other interpretive items for sale at each of the visitor centers.

Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Telephone: (218) 286-5258
Fax : (218) 286-5250
Daily, 9am - 5pm.
May 6 - September 30.
October 1 - May 5
9am- 4:30pm, Wednesday - Sunday

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
Telephone: (218) 875-2111
Fax: (218) 875-2114
Daily, 9am - 5pm.
May 8 - September 30.

Ash River Visitor Center
Telephone: (218) 374-3221
Daily, 9am - 5pm.
May 7 - September 30.

Climate

The park has a cool continental climate with short warm summers followed by long winters. Average summer highs range from 60 degrees F to 80 degrees F; winter highs range from 10 degrees F to 30 degrees F. The boating and canoeing season begins as early as the end of April and lasts until freeze-up sometime in November. The winter snowmobile and ski season generally begins in late December. Annual precipitation averages 28 inches.