Voyageurs National Park Statistics

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Voyageurs National Park key statistics

  • 206,326 recreation visits in 2025, up 3.7% on 20241
  • 195,621 recreation visits from January to September 2026 (preliminary), up 1.8% on the same months of 20252
  • 53rd most visited of the 63 U.S. national parks in 20253
  • 71,544 overnight stays in 2025, about 80% of them in the backcountry4
  • 76,092 overnight stays from January to September 2026 (preliminary), already more than in all of 20255
  • $19.65 million spent by visitors in 20246
  • August was the busiest month of 2025, with 42,785 visits2
  • 218,055 acres of land and water,7 with more than 500 islands8

How many people visit Voyageurs National Park each year?

Voyageurs National Park had 206,326 recreation visits in 2025, up 3.7% from 2024.1

Year by year:

  • 2025 was up on 2024 but still 11.4% below 2019.1
  • 199,030 in 2024, down 9.9% from 2023 and the fewest since 2011.1
  • 220,825 in 2023 and 221,434 in 2022.1
  • 243,042 in 2021, down 7.6% from 2020.1
  • 263,091 in 2020, up 12.9% from 2019 and the most since 1980.1
  • 232,974 in 2019 (pre-pandemic).1
How many people visit Voyageurs National Park every year?Recreation visits, 2009–2025100K200K300K222,429253,891177,184214,841233,390239,160238,313241,912237,250239,656232,974263,091243,042221,434220,825199,030206,32620092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025YearRecreation visits
Recreation visits to Voyageurs National Park each year, 2009–2025.

How much do visitors spend at Voyageurs National Park each year?

Visitors spent $19.65 million in communities near Voyageurs National Park in 2024.9

  • $19.65 million in 2024, down 3.5% from $20.36 million in 20239
  • $20.36 million in 2023, up 1.1% from $20.14 million in 202210
  • $20.14 million in 202211, down 6.7% from $21.58 million in 202112
  • $21.47 million in 202013, up from $19.25 million in 201914

In 2024, that spending supported 193 local jobs and $24.09 million in economic output.6

The latest National Park Service spending figures for Voyageurs are for 2024.6

Voyageurs National Park visitor spendingUS$, 2015–2024$5M$10M$15M$20M$25M$18.99M$19.78M$18.88M$19.54M$19.25M$21.47M$21.58M$20.14M$20.36M$19.65M2015201620172018201920202021202220232024YearVisitor spending (US$)
Visitor spending in communities near Voyageurs National Park, 2015–2024.

How many people have visited Voyageurs National Park in 2026?

Voyageurs National Park recorded 195,621 recreation visits from January to September 2026, 1.8% more than the 192,106 recorded over the same months of 2025.2

  • July 2026 was the busiest month so far, with 49,078 visits, up 16.4% from 42,178 in July 2025.2
  • August 2026 brought 46,198 visits, up 8.0% from 42,785 in August 2025.2
  • June 2026 drew 42,690 visits, up 4.3%, and May drew 27,995, up 2.5%.2
  • February (4,897 visits, down 45.1%) and March (1,299, down 73.3%) were well below their 2025 totals, and September (20,351) was down 8.9%.2

Figures for October 2026 onward have not been released yet. The 2026 figures are preliminary; the National Park Service finalizes them by the end of the first quarter of the following year.2

Voyageurs National Park recreation visits by month, 2025 and 20262
Month2025 visits2026 visits (preliminary)Change
January2,7532,963+7.6%
February8,9174,897−45.1%
March4,8711,299−73.3%
April5150+2,900%
May27,31627,995+2.5%
June40,93142,690+4.3%
July42,17849,078+16.4%
August42,78546,198+8.0%
September22,35020,351−8.9%
October11,535Not yet released–
November2,372Not yet released–
December313Not yet released–
January–September192,106195,621+1.8%

Source · National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Use Statistics. 2026 figures are preliminary.

How many people visit Voyageurs National Park per day?

Voyageurs National Park averaged about 565 recreation visits a day in 2025.1 That is down from about 638 a day in 2019.

  • August was the busiest month, averaging about 1,380 visits a day.2
  • April was the quietest, with just 5 visits all month.2 April is when the lake ice usually breaks up: average ice-out is April 28 on Kabetogama Lake and May 3 on Rainy Lake.15

How much does it cost to visit Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs National Park has no entrance fee, and no entrance pass is required.16 You pay only for some activities:

  • Campsites: $22 to $32 a night in the peak season, $60 for group sites and $10 a night in the low-use season, plus a $10 reservation fee per booking17
  • Houseboat permits: $15 a night from May 1 to October 3118
  • Ranger-led boat tours: fees vary with the length and distance of the tour18
  • Winter equipment rentals: $10 per pair of skis or snowshoes for adults and $5 for children 16 and under19

Interagency Senior and Access passes give a 50% discount on boat tours only.16

Is Voyageurs one of the least visited national parks?

Yes. Voyageurs was the 11th least visited of the 63 U.S. national parks in 2025.3

U.S. national parks ranked 46th to 60th by recreation visits, 20253
RankParkRecreation visits
46Carlsbad Caverns NP410,778
47Pinnacles NP343,208
48Petrified Forest NP315,951
49Congaree NP287,833
50Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP250,086
51Channel Islands NP227,186
52Guadalupe Mountains NP206,423
53Voyageurs NP206,326
54Great Basin NP161,210
55Wrangell-St. Elias NP & Preserve108,840
56Dry Tortugas NP89,355
57North Cascades NP46,925
58National Park of American Samoa43,258
59Katmai NP & Preserve34,479
60Isle Royale NP29,091

Source · Public Lands Data, from National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Use Statistics

How does Voyageurs compare with other Midwest national parks?

Voyageurs is Minnesota's only national park.22 In 2025, it was the second least visited of the Midwest's eight national parks. Only Isle Royale, the island park in Lake Superior, drew fewer, and Voyageurs had about seven times its recreation visits.3

  • Cuyahoga Valley (Ohio): 3,025,325 visits, 11th of the 63 U.S. national parks3
  • Indiana Dunes (Indiana): 2,629,497 visits, 13th3
  • Gateway Arch (Missouri): 2,209,028 visits, 15th3
  • Badlands (South Dakota): 1,139,361 visits, 26th3
  • Theodore Roosevelt (North Dakota): 729,893 visits, 33rd3
  • Wind Cave (South Dakota): 606,258 visits, 37th3
  • Voyageurs (Minnesota): 206,326 visits, 53rd3
  • Isle Royale (Michigan): 29,091 visits, 60th3

Where is Voyageurs National Park and how do you get there?

Voyageurs National Park is in northern Minnesota, on the Canadian border near International Falls.23 Its visitor centers and some trails can be reached by car, but much of the park is best explored by boat.

  • Ways in: The park can be reached from Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, Crane Lake and Orr/Pelican Lake.23
  • Rainy Lake Visitor Center: the closest visitor center to International Falls.23
  • Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center: 25 miles south of International Falls, just off Highway 53.24
  • Ash River Visitor Center: 28 miles south of International Falls, 11 miles off Highway 53.24
  • Crane Lake: about a 4½-hour drive from Minneapolis and 2½ hours from Duluth, north on Highway 53 to Orr, then east on County Highway 23.24
  • Driving between areas: 36 miles from Rainy Lake to Kabetogama Lake, 17 miles from Kabetogama Lake to Ash River and 103 miles from Rainy Lake to Crane Lake.25
  • By boat: Kettle Falls, on the far east of the Kabetogama Peninsula, is 13 miles by boat from the Ash River Visitor Center and 34 miles from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.25

When is the best time to visit Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round23, but late May to late September is the main season, when the Kabetogama Lake and Ash River visitor centers are open.24 In 2025, June to August brought 61% of the year's visits.2

  • Summer (June to August): the busiest and warmest season, with average highs of 74°F to 79°F.15 It suits boating, houseboating, fishing and camping on the lakes.
  • Late May and September: often the best balance, with fewer visitors than in July and August.
  • Winter (December to March): the season for the ice roads, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.19 Safe ice and the best conditions for winter camping usually come in February and March.17
  • Early spring and late fall: ice breaking up or forming can make it hard or impossible to cross the lakes to reach campsites.18

When is Voyageurs National Park busiest?

In 2025, the park's busiest months were:

  • August topped the list with 42,785 visits2, at the height of the summer boating season.
  • July saw 42,178 visits2; on average, it is the warmest month of the year.15
  • June had 40,931 visits2, as the summer season got under way.
  • May drew 27,316 visits2, once the lake ice had cleared.15
  • September brought 22,350 visits2; the Kabetogama Lake and Ash River visitor centers close for the winter in late September.24
How many people visited Voyageurs National Park in 2025?Recreation visits by month10K20K30K40K50K2,7538,9174,871527,31640,93142,17842,78522,35011,5352,372313JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecMonthRecreation visits
Recreation visits to Voyageurs National Park by month, 2025.

What is the weather like at Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs has four distinct seasons. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 79°F, while January averages highs of 14°F and lows of -8°F.15 The park averages 25 to 28 inches of precipitation (rain and snow) a year, and 55 to 70 inches of snowfall.

  • Lake ice: On average, Kabetogama Lake freezes over on November 28 and Rainy Lake on December 9.15 The ice goes out on April 28 on Kabetogama and May 3 on Rainy.
  • Ice-out extremes: The earliest ice-out on record was April 1, 2012, on Kabetogama Lake15, and the latest was May 22, 1950, on Rainy Lake.
  • Snow: The first measurable snow falls in late October and the last in late April or early May.15
  • Frost-free season: about 120 days, from June to mid-September.15
  • Ice roads: In winter, cars and trucks under 7,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight can drive the Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake ice roads, at up to 30 mph.19

Can you see the northern lights at Voyageurs National Park?

Yes. The northern lights appear over Voyageurs from time to time,26 and the park is a designated International Dark Sky Park.27 You need three things: an active aurora, a clear sky and a dark night.26

  • When: The lights can appear in any month, but winter's longer nights give you more chances to see them.26
  • Where: The Park Service suggests the Ash River Visitor Center grounds, the Meadwood Road Day Use Area and the upper parking lot of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.26 Look for an open view to the north.
  • What you'll see: Usually white or pale green streaks or patches of light, sometimes yellow, red, blue or purple. They can fade and come back within minutes.26
  • Planning: Check an aurora forecast and the weather before you go, and avoid nights with a bright moon.26

How many people camp in Voyageurs National Park each year?

Voyageurs National Park recorded 71,544 overnight stays in 2025, 6.9% fewer than the 76,851 in 2024 and 3.5% fewer than the 74,111 in 2019.4 The National Park Service counts overnight stays (one person for one night), not individual campers, so one person camping for three nights counts three times. From January to September 2026, the park recorded 76,092 overnight stays (preliminary), already more than in all of 2025.5

In 2025, the stays broke down as:

  • Backcountry camping: 57,319 overnight stays4
  • Other overnight stays: 9,9674
  • Lodging: 4,258 overnight stays4, at the Kettle Falls Hotel, the only lodging inside the park28

The park recorded no tent or RV campground stays,4 because all of its campsites are reached by boat or on foot and there are no drive-in campgrounds inside the park.29

For figures across the country, see our camping statistics in the US.

Overnight stays in Voyageurs National Park, 2025Share of overnight stays by typeBackcountry campers · 80.1%Miscellaneous overnight stays · 13.9%Concessioner lodging · 6%71,544overnight stays
Overnight stays in Voyageurs National Park by type, 2025.

How do people camp in Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs is a water-based park: every campsite except two hike-in primitive sites needs a boat to reach, and all camping needs a reservation or permit.30 In 2025, backcountry campers made up about 80% of the park's 71,544 overnight stays.4

  • Frontcountry campsites: The park's 157 frontcountry campsites sit on the shores and islands of Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point and Crane lakes.17 Some are as far as 27 miles from the nearest boat launch.
  • Prices: In the peak season, sites cost $22 to $32 a night, and group sites $60. In the low-use season, every site is $10 a night.17 Each booking also carries a $10 reservation fee.
  • Booking: Peak-season sites open on Recreation.gov on November 15 of the year before.18
  • Backcountry camping: Remote sites need a boat ride to a trailhead and then a hike. They cost $30 a night, including a canoe.17
  • RV camping: RVs cannot camp in the park.29 The nearest public campgrounds include Woodenfrog State Forest Campground at Kabetogama, Ash River State Forest Campground, City Beach Campground in International Falls and Echo Lake Campground near Crane Lake.
  • Parking: Campers can park free at any visitor center boat launch for up to 14 days during their trip.17
  • No dispersed camping: Camping is allowed only at designated campsites.17
  • Winter camping: The same campsites can be reached on foot or by snowmobile when there is safe ice.17

Houseboating at Voyageurs National Park

A houseboat lets you explore the park's farthest corners for days at a time without tent camping.31 A houseboat here means a registered boat with sleeping, cooking and food storage facilities and a no-discharge toilet, so cabin cruisers and sailboats with those facilities count too.

  • Permits: Houseboats need a permit for overnight stays, at $15 a night plus a $10 reservation fee.31 The season runs from May 1 to October 31, and permits go on sale on November 15 for the following summer.18
  • Where to moor: They can stay at designated or undesignated houseboat sites, first come, first served, with no more than two houseboats per site.31 Undesignated sites must be at least 200 yards from any developed site.
  • Renting one: Companies just outside the park rent houseboats.31
  • Tents: Houseboaters can't pitch a tent at a houseboat site. To tent camp, they must also book a tent campsite.31

RV rental in the USA

Voyageurs National Park facts: size, history and landscape

  • Location: Northern Minnesota, stretching 55 miles along the border with Ontario, Canada.7 International Falls is the main gateway.
  • Establishment: Created in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian voyageurs who once paddled these waters.22
  • Size: 218,055 acres of land and water.7
  • Water: About 84,000 acres of the park is water, with four large lakes (Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point) and 26 smaller interior lakes.8
  • Shoreline: 655 miles of undeveloped shoreline and more than 500 islands.8
  • Kabetogama Peninsula: A roadless area of about 75,000 acres in the middle of the park.7
  • Wildlife: Wolves, black bears and moose.7 Over 240 bird species have been documented in the park.32
  • Hiking trails: Many trails can be reached by car, but much of the park is best explored by boat.23
  • Campsites: 157 frontcountry campsites on the shores and islands of the big lakes, reached by boat.17
  • Dark skies: Voyageurs is a designated International Dark Sky Park,27 an excellent place for stargazing.
  • Lodging: The Kettle Falls Hotel is the only lodging inside the park. It is about 15 miles from the nearest road and reachable only by water.28
  • Winter: 110 miles of staked and groomed snowmobile trails cross the frozen lakes.19

What are the most common causes of visitor deaths in Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs National Park recorded 5 deaths between 2007 and February 2026.33 The causes were:

  • Drowning (2 deaths)33
  • Medical – not during physical activity (1 death)33
  • Motor vehicle crash (1 death)33
  • Undetermined (1 death)33
Causes of death in Voyageurs National ParkRecorded deaths by cause, 2007 to February 2026Drowning2Medical - Not during physical activity1Motor Vehicle Crash1Undetermined1
Recorded deaths in Voyageurs National Park by cause, 2007 to February 2026.

Is Voyageurs National Park dangerous?

Deaths in Voyageurs National Park are rare: 5 were recorded between 2007 and February 2026.33 Drowning is the most common recorded cause, with 2 of the 5 deaths. Most travel in the park is by boat or, in winter, over the ice,23 so a few precautions help keep you safe:

  • Wear a life jacket: Minnesota law requires a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for everyone in any boat, including canoes and kayaks, and children under 13 must wear one.34
  • Carry charts or GPS: The park's lakes are large and connected, so take navigational charts and a GPS device or boating navigation app.34
  • Store food away from bears: Use the bear-proof food lockers at park campsites.28
  • Watch the weather: Conditions can change quickly, especially on the water. Check the forecast, dress in layers and carry extra clothing to guard against hypothermia in the cooler months.

Ice safety

  • Heed the warning signs: Orange stakes, diamond-shaped signs and trail sticks crossed in an X mean danger. Never go past a Thin Ice sign.35
  • Pressure ridges: These can form overnight, and open water can appear next to them, so check the ice first, even at a marked crossing.35
  • Ice roads: Drive no faster than 30 mph, with your window open and seat belt off.35
  • Snowmobiling: Travel in groups, stay on marked trails to avoid slush and open water, and tell someone your route. There is no fuel at Kettle Falls in winter.35

Camping and fire safety

  • Campfire rules: Use designated fire rings and approved firewood only, never leave a fire unattended and put it out completely.
  • Leave No Trace: Pack out all your trash and disturb the land as little as you can.

Voyageurs National Park FAQs

When is Voyageurs National Park open?

The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, though activities and services are limited outside visitor center hours.23 Late May to late September is the main season, when the Kabetogama Lake and Ash River visitor centers are open.24 There is no entrance fee.16

Do you need a boat to visit Voyageurs National Park?

Not to visit, but you need one to see most of it. The visitor centers and many trails can be reached by car, but much of Voyageurs is best explored by boat, and every campsite except the two hike-in primitive sites needs a boat to reach.23 If you don't have one, local businesses offer water taxis and boat rentals, from canoes and kayaks to fishing boats and pontoons.17

Can you take an RV to Voyageurs National Park?

You can drive an RV to the area, but you can't camp in it inside the park, because all park campsites are reached by boat or on foot. Public and private campgrounds outside the park, such as Woodenfrog State Forest Campground at Kabetogama, take RVs.29

Can you stay overnight in Voyageurs National Park?

Yes, in a tent, on a houseboat or at the Kettle Falls Hotel. The park has 157 frontcountry campsites reached by boat,17 houseboats can stay overnight with a permit costing $15 a night,18 and the Kettle Falls Hotel is the only lodging inside the park.28

Can you drive on the ice at Voyageurs National Park?

Yes, in winter, on the park's two ice roads: the Rainy Lake Ice Road, which starts at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch, and the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road between the Ash River and Kabetogama Lake visitor centers. They are open to cars and trucks under 7,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight, at up to 30 mph, when ice conditions allow.19

How big is Voyageurs National Park?

Voyageurs covers 218,055 acres of land and water and stretches 55 miles along the Minnesota-Ontario border.7 About 84,000 acres of it is water, with 655 miles of undeveloped shoreline and more than 500 islands.8

Is Voyageurs National Park worth visiting?

For visitors who want lakes, islands and quiet, yes. Voyageurs was the 53rd most visited of the 63 U.S. national parks in 2025, with 206,326 recreation visits,3 so it is far less crowded than most. It is also a designated International Dark Sky Park.27

More national park statistics

References

  1. USA and AU National Parks Statistics — Voyageurs#how-many-tourist-visit-voyageurs-np-72cdcf · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i
  2. Recreation Visitors By Month (1979 – Last Calendar Year) — Voyageurs NP (NPS Visitor Use Statistics) · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q
  3. Most Visited National Parks in 2025 — Ranked by Visitation · publiclandsdata.com ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n
  4. NPS IRMA Visitor Use Statistics — Overnight Stays (1979 – Last Calendar Year), Voyageurs NP · irma.nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g
  5. Monthly Public Use Report — Voyageurs NP (NPS Visitor Use Statistics) · irma.nps.gov ↑ b
  6. NPS Visitor Spending Effects — park results, Voyageurs National Park (VOYA), 2012–2024 · irmaservices.nps.gov ↑ b c
  7. Sixty-one Acres Protected in Voyageurs National Park (NPS news release, December 19, 2014) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
  8. Lake Navigation — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d
  9. 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation (NPS Visitor Spending Effects report series) · nps.gov ↑ b
  10. 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation (NPS Science Report NPS/SR—2024/174) · nps.gov ↑
  11. 2022 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑
  12. 2021 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑
  13. 2020 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑
  14. 2019 National Park Visitor Spending Effects: Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation · nps.gov ↑
  15. Seasons and Weather — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i
  16. Fees & Passes — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c
  17. Frontcountry Camping at Voyageurs — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h i j k
  18. Permits & Reservations — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
  19. Winter Activities — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e
  20. Statistical Abstract: 2025 — National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics · irma.nps.gov ↑
  21. NPS Visitor Use Statistics — Annual Park Ranking Report for Recreation Visits, 2025 · irma.nps.gov ↑
  22. Minnesota — National Park Service units in the state (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
  23. Basic Information — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f g h
  24. Visitor Centers — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
  25. Getting Around — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
  26. The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
  27. Dark Skies in Voyageurs — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c
  28. Eating & Sleeping — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d
  29. Camping in Gateway Communities — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c
  30. Camping — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
  31. Houseboating — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e
  32. Birds — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑
  33. NPS Mortality Data, CY2007 onward (Prevention and Response Branch FOIA release) · nps.gov ↑ b c d e f
  34. Boating Safely in Voyageurs — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b
  35. Winter Safety — Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · nps.gov ↑ b c d
  36. NPS: Facts and Figures – Visitations, Spending, Ranking, and Park Reports · nps.gov
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