Voyageurs National Park is open and free to visit all winter. Once the lakes freeze, the Park Service plows ice roads on Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake and grooms 110 miles of staked snowmobile trails across the ice. January averages a high of 14 degrees and a low of -8, so dress for serious cold.
Winter in Voyageurs National Park is not for the faint of heart, but with the right gear and planning it’s one of the more singular winter experiences in the national park system. The vast lakes freeze solid and become highways for snowmobiles, cross-country skiers, and the park’s elusive wolf packs. This is the coldest corner of the continental United States, and the park rewards anyone willing to bundle up for it.
Winter is the dominant season this far north. It arrives early and stays late. Temperatures routinely fall well below zero, with a record low around minus 55 Fahrenheit, and wind chill pushes those numbers lower still. The payoff is a park transformed, with entirely new ways to explore lakes that are open water the rest of the year.
Voyageurs in Winter: Know Before You Go
- Cold: Subzero highs are common in midwinter. Record low near minus 55°F. Dress for serious cold.
- Only year-round center: Rainy Lake Visitor Center. The Kabetogama, Ash River, and Crane Lake centers close for winter.
- Ice roads: Plowed ice roads open on Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake once the ice is thick enough. Check conditions before driving on them. Ice forms on average by November 28 on Kabetogama and December 9 on Rainy Lake, and the ice roads take cars and trucks under 7,000 pounds at up to 30 mph.
- Snowmobiling: More than 110 miles of trails, including the Kab-Ash Trail. Rentals available locally.
- Northern lights: On clear winter nights, the aurora here is among the best in the lower 48.
- Fishing license: A Minnesota license is required for ice fishing.
Winter Temperatures in Voyageurs
| Average High | Average Low | |
| November | 33°F | 16°F |
| December | 18°F | -1°F |
| January | 14°F | -8°F |
| February | 22°F | -1°F |
| March | 35°F | 12°F |
Winter Activities in Voyageurs
Once the lakes freeze, the whole park opens up in a different way. With the right planning, a winter trip to Voyageurs National Park can be an unforgettable adventure. The most popular winter activities include:
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- Snowmobiling on the park’s network of groomed trails, including the Kab-Ash Trail.
- Cross-country skiing through quiet forest and across the frozen lakes.
- Wildlife watching. Voyageurs is home to roughly 50 wolves. Sightings are rare, but chances improve in winter when wolves travel the frozen lakes from island to island in search of prey.
- Ice fishing on the park’s main lakes for walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.
- Snowshoeing on forest trails heavy with snow.
- Aurora watching. On clear nights in fall and winter, the northern lights here can be remarkable.
A Sample Winter Trip
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
Start at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, the only one open year-round. You’ll get the park’s history, wildlife background, and winter safety guidance. After that, strap on snowshoes or skis and explore the trails around Rainy Lake. From January through March the visitor center rents snowshoes and cross-country skis Friday through Monday, $10 a pair for adults and $5 for children 16 and under.
Day 2: Ice Fishing and Snowshoeing
Spend the day ice fishing. Rent gear from a local lodge or outfitter, or bring your own, and target walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. In the afternoon, snowshoe out to the Ellsworth Rock Gardens, a quiet winter version of the park’s well-known rock sculpture garden.
Day 3: Snowmobiling
Take advantage of the park’s 110-plus miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The Kab-Ash Trail offers good views and wildlife chances. Snowmobiles rent affordably from local shops.
Day 4: Wildlife and Stargazing
Devote the last day to wildlife. Common winter sightings include deer, foxes, and otters, with a slim chance at one of the park’s wolves. As dusk settles, stay out for the night sky. Far from city lights, Voyageurs offers an unspoiled view of the stars and frequent northern lights. Wrap up warm, bring a thermos, and end the trip looking up.
Note: Any winter trip to Voyageurs requires careful planning and real awareness of the weather. Always check the park’s website for the latest conditions before heading out.
Can You Drive Through Voyageurs National Park?
Not the way you drive through most parks. The visitor centers and some trails can be reached by car, but much of the park is best explored by boat, and every campsite except the primitive ones takes a boat to reach. In winter, the plowed ice roads on Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake are the one way to drive out onto the lakes.
Is There a National Park in Minnesota?
Yes, one. Voyageurs is the only national park in Minnesota. Established in 1975, it spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests and streams along the Canadian border near International Falls.
The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is the only facility open all year round. It provides restrooms, exhibits, a park film, and orientation services. Most other facilities, including the Kabetogama Lake, Ash River, and Crane Lake Visitor Centers, are closed during the winter.
There is a wide range of winter activities available at Voyageurs. These include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. You can also enjoy wildlife viewing and stargazing thanks to the park’s distance from city lights.
Yes, you need a fishing license to fish in Minnesota, including on the lakes in Voyageurs National Park. You can buy one online from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or from retailers throughout the state.
Yes, Voyageurs National Park offers more than 110 miles of snowmobile trails, including the popular Kab-Ash Trail. Stay within the marked trails to protect the park’s resources and for your own safety.
Voyageurs maintains ice roads on Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake when conditions permit. They open only once the ice is thick enough to support vehicle traffic, and conditions can change fast. Check with the Rainy Lake Visitor Center or the park’s website before setting out, and always follow posted speed limits and safety instructions.
Watch the Voyageurs Film
Covering more than 340 square miles, Voyageurs is a watery wonderland almost entirely accessible by boat. Journey with us across pristine lakes, fall color, and some of the best northern lights displays on the planet.
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- Park facts: Voyageurs National Park facts
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