Voyageurs

https://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyageurs_National_Park Voyageurs National Park is in northern Minnesota near the town of International Falls. The park's name commemorates the voyageurs—French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area. The park is notable for its outstanding water resources and is popular with canoeists, kayakers, other boaters, and fishermen. The Kabetogama Peninsula, which lies entirely within the park and makes up most of its land area, is accessible only by boat. To the east of the National Park lies the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these abundant waters. Voyageurs National Park provides exceptional opportunities for recreation and exploration amidst landscapes rich in natural beauty, history, and cultural heritage. Voyageurs National Park is located in Northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. Access to Voyageurs is available from many points along Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, Crane Lake, and Orr/Pelican Lake. The park's visitor centers and many trails can be reached by car, but much of Voyageurs is best explored by boat. All campsites in the park, except primitive, require a boat to reach. Ash River Visitor Center The Ash River Visitor Center is open during our summer season from late May to late September. Ash River Visitor Center will be closed annually over the winter season. The Ash River Visitor Center is located in the historic Meadwood Lodge pictured above. Take a moment to explore this historic, rustic building. Watch your head, as some interior doorways were constructed for shorter individuals. Located 28 miles south of International Falls, Minnesota, 11 miles off of Hwy 53. Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Nestled along the southwest shoreline of Kabetogama Lake, the visitor center is in the small community of Kabetogama. The Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center is open during our summer season from late May to late September, and in the Winter from the beginning of January to the end of March. Located 25 miles south of International Falls just off of Highway 53. Rainy Lake Visitor Center Located on the shore of Black Bay with views across the water to the Kabetogama Peninsula. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center hours of operation vary with the season. Call ahead or stop by for the most current information and for help with trip planning (218) 286-5258. The visitor center offers an exhibit area, displays, a bookstore, a staffed information desk, a children's activity table, and a theater for viewing the park film. Located on the shore of Black Bay with views across the water to the Kabetogama Peninsula. This visitor center serves people in the northern part of the park and is located 11 miles East on Highway 11 from International Falls, Minnesota. Rainy Lake Campsites Campsites located on Rainy Lake. Houseboat moored on Namakan Lake Blue Heron Point, Kabetogama Houseboat on Namakan District View of Rainy Lake Voyageurs sunset Houseboat moored at sunset Houseboat moored at sunset Houseboat under starry skies Houseboat in the mist Houseboat with Grassy Bay Cliffs Houseboat reflection on calm waters View of distant houseboat from overlook Houseboat on a foggy morning Northern Lights Northern Lights over Voyageurs National Park waters Experience the Aurora Borealis at Voyageurs National Park Peary Lake overlooking a lake For peace and quiet explore the backcountry of the Kabetogama Peninsula Sunset in Voyageurs Orange tinted sky with islands scattered throughout the still lake. Enjoy a sunset in Voyageurs National Park. Anderson Bay rock cliffs along the lake Explore the unique geology of Voyageurs National Park and see our story unfold. Fall Colors orange, yellow, and green colors are showing in the fall foliage The mix of hardwood and conifers create inspiring scenic views especially in the fall. Hike a trail A view of a lake peaks through a stand of pine trees. Get outside and hiking on one of our many trails. Park Air Profiles - Voyageurs National Park Air quality profile for Voyageurs National Park. Gives park-specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Voyageurs NP as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Voyageurs NP. Aurora Borealis over the water Bear Skins in the Fur Trade The fur trade shaped American history, largely financing the exploration and settlement of much of the West. Village during the fur trade era The Sounds of Spring When the weather warms, national parks across the country rouse from winter’s sleep. The sounds you hear in parks reflect this seasonal change. They contribute to the unique soundscape of these special places, and are among the resources that the National Park Service protects. Sandhill cranes dance in a courtship ritual in flooded grasslands at Great Sand Dunes NP. Exploring the Fire and Archeology Interface The Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC) worked with Midwest Region Fire Program to design and carry out experiments to collect information about the effects of fire on various classes of archeological materials. The goals of this project were to assess the fire/archeology interface to provide managers of Midwestern parks with information that will aid in decision-making concerning the stewardship of archeological and natural resources. Firefighters monitoring fire Voyageurs National Park Voyageurs National Park is part of a historically dynamic region. Within the park is a chain of four major lakes, which American Indians have used for 9,000 years. Midwest Archeological Center archeologist Jeffrey Richner has led many projects inventorying archeological sites in the park. During these inventories, he discovered historic sites relating to the Bois Forte occupation dating to the late 19th-century and early-20th century. Bois Forte canoes on Namakan Lake (circa early 20th century). Celebrating soils across the National Park System First in a series of three "In Focus" articles that share insights into the near-universal and far-reaching effects of soils on the ecology, management, and enjoyment of our national parks. Fossil soils at Cabrillo National Monument reveal marine deposits Series: Park Air Profiles Clean air matters for national parks around the country. Photo of clouds above the Grand Canyon, AZ NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. lake and islands The Precambrian The Precambrian was the "Age of Early Life." During the Precambrian, continents formed and our modern atmosphere developed, while early life evolved and flourished. Soft-bodied creatures like worms and jellyfish lived in the world's oceans, but the land remained barren. Common Precambrian fossils include stromatolites and similar structures, which are traces of mats of algae-like microorganisms, and microfossils of other microorganisms. fossil stromatolites in a cliff face Wildland Fire in Red Pine and White Pine The red pine and white pine forest inhabits the cooler climates of the upper Midwest. They once covered large areas of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Red and white pine forests owe their presence and persistence in large part to fire. Although both types of trees can live in areas without fire, especially on very sandy soils, frequent fires are necessary for healthy forests. Small flames consume dead pine needles and log under red and white pine trees. Patterns of Pathogen Exposure in Gray Wolves Read the abstract and link to a new published article on wolf pathogens across North America: Brandell, E. E., P. C. Cross, M. E. Craft, D. W. Smith, E. J. Dubovi, ...B. L. Borg, M. Sorum, ... et al. 2021. Patterns and processes of pathogen exposure in gray wolves across North America. Scientific Reports 11: 3722. Aerial view of a wolf pack in the snow. Voyageurs National Park Certified as an International Dark Sky Park Voyageurs National Park is now officially certified as a dark sky park by the International Dark Sky Association. A small island sits beneath a night sky full of stars. Walleye Crochet Pattern Voyageurs National Park is known for its walleye fishing opportunities. Now you can crochet your very own walleye from home! Paths through History: Accessible Trails at Voyageurs National Park Debbie Smith speaks with landscape architect, David Driapsa, FASLA, and Jason Christensen, a maintenance worker at Voyageurs National Park about increasing visitor accessibility while preserving the character of the historic landscape. View of raised flower beds and stone sculptures on the granite outcropped hillside Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Things to Do in Minnesota Find things to do and trip ideas in Minnesota. Pink cliffs in the background with yellow and green bushes in the foreground. Series: Things to Do in the Midwest There is something for everyone in the Midwest. See what makes the Great Plains great. Dip your toes in the continent's inland seas. Learn about Native American heritage and history. Paddle miles of scenic rivers and waterways. Explore the homes of former presidents. From the Civil War to Civil Rights, discover the stories that shape our journey as a nation. Steep bluff with pink sky above and yellow leaves below. Monitoring a Singing Wilderness at Voyageurs A summary of songbird monitoring data collected at Voyageurs National Park from 2014 through 2018. A person stands amid knee-high grass with a light blue sky above. He is writing on a clipboard. Pillow Basalts Pillow basalts are named for the rounded shapes that form when lava cools rapidly underwater. photo of golden gate bridge Taking the Pulse of U.S. National Parks How do we know if parks are healthy? We measure their vital signs, of course! Across the country, there are 32 inventory and monitoring networks that measure the status and trends of all kinds of park resources. We're learning a lot after years of collecting data. Check out these articles written for kids and reviewed by kids in partnership with the international online journal Frontiers for Young Minds. A cartoon of a ranger taking the pulse of the Earth. Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Harmful Algal Blooms: Science to Support Solutions from Shore to Shore The 11th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae, held October 23-28, in Albany, New York, gathered scientists from a range of disciplines and natural resource managers to discuss Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey scientists presented on HAB science and management in national parks. six panelists stand in front of a projection screen Podcast 088: Paths through History: Accessible Trails at Voyagers National Park Debbie Smith speaks with landscape architect, David Driapsa, FASLA, and Jason Christensen, a maintenance worker at Voyageurs National Park about increasing visitor accessibility while preserving the character of the historic landscape. Path Construction, Ellsworth Rock Garden. The Current: Spring 2023 The Spring 2023 issue of the Great Lakes Newsletter contains articles on the changing ways we produce and look at data, staff changes, the field season schedule, an overview of a project to look at songbird data from all three Midwest networks, and a listing of new publications. A white page with a black border at the top and the words The Current: Fall 2023 The Fall 2023 issue of the Great Lakes newsletter contains articles on planning for the future of the Inventory and Monitoring Division, retirement and departure of staff members, a summary of the Western Great Lakes Research Conference, a field season summary from each of our monitoring programs, and a list of new reports and publications. The front page of a newsletter, with a photo of a dragonfly perched on hiking boot. Bat Monitoring in Great Lakes Network Parks, 2024 A summary of acoustic bat monitoring in Great Lakes Network parks from 2015 through 2019. A bat with large, round ears hangs from a rock. Bat Monitoring at Voyageurs National Park, 2015–2019 A summary of bat monitoring data collected at Voyageurs National Park from 2015 through 2019. A puffy-looking bat with white-tipped hair looks at the camera while hanging upside down. The Current: Spring 2024 Spring 2024 issue of the Great Lakes Network newsletter, "The Current," featuring science stories, a farewell, the 2024 field season schedule, and recent publications. Woman wearing a backpack and carrying a GPS unit and a compass wades through water and shrubs. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Lava Flow Forms Young lava flows also have structures and textures that reveal information about their eruptions. Basaltic lava flows come in two major forms: Pāhoehoe and ‘A‘ā. photo of ropey and blocky lava Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon An Economy of Adventure: The Life of a Voyageur Voyageurs National Park straddles a segment of the old “Voyageur’s Highway,” a 3,000-mile canoe route. The men who traversed this route, which included some 120 portages, 200 rapids, and 50 lakes, proudly bore the title of voyageurs. Archeological projects in the late 1970s to the present deepen understandings of the voyageurs’ lives—how they moved, shared cultures, and forged a lasting economy across an unfamiliar frontier. Painting by Anne Frances Hopkins titled Studying the Genetics and Population Size of Muskellunge in Little Shoepack and Shoepack Lakes Little Shoepack and Shoepack lakes in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, are home to native populations of muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). Due to the small size of these lakes, and the associated, predicted small size of their muskellunge populations, resource managers are concerned about the persistence of these fish. To gain a better understanding of how these populations are doing, researchers studied muskellunge genetics and population size on the lakes. Photo of a woman crouching at the edge of a shoreline and holding a dark-colored fish in the water. August 2024 Community Check-In This month's newsletter features the visit of NPS Director Chuck Sams, who reviewed key Voyageurs National Park projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, including underwater cable replacement and road resurfacing. We spotlight intern Grant Haley's contributions to park utilities and discuss the park's economic impact. Highlights include recent outreach events like the Star Party, updates on natural resource efforts, and maintenance projects. Photograph of group of people standing at a lake overlook and talking. October 2024 Community Check-In In October, we lost a cherished member of the Voyageurs family. Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim was a treasured member of the community and served at Voyageurs National Park for more than 20 years. He volunteered with the Kabetogama Fire Department in addition to his work at the park. This issue of the Voyageurs Community Check-In is a tribute to Law Enforcement Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim. Photograph of person smiling at camera next to camping tent with trees in the background. September 2024 Community Check-In In September, Voyageurs National Park embraced autumn as staff transitioned from the busy summer season to winter preparations. Many team members, including volunteers, concluded their roles, and visitor centers are now closed until 2025. This edition features Field Fellow Connor Cieminski’s work on aquatic ecosystems, highlights from the Voyageurs Conservancy's conservation projects, and updates from park law enforcement, along with more content from around the park. Photograph of geese flying over a lake. The Current: Fall 2024 The Fall 2024 issue of the Great Lakes Network newsletter, "The Current." Featuring: NPS science and indigenous knowledge, 2024 field season summary, new staff positions, and the latest publications and data packages. A person in a green coat and hat and wearing an orange life jacket walks through knee-high water. “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280 A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens. NPS study provides crucial information on White-Nose Syndrome effect on bats. National Park Service, North Dakota State University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scientists, recently published a study on the status of four bat species in nine Great Lakes region parks to understand the effects of White-Nose Syndrome. A small brown bat with a white fungus on its nose close up.