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Are dogs allowed on the pontoons?
Yes, well behaved dogs are allowed on the pontoons.Can I grill on the pontoon?
No—grilling is not allowed on pontoon boats for safety reasons. Guests are encouraged to use the picnic tables and fire pits available at Voyageurs National Park designated campsites and day-use areas.Is there shade on the pontoon?
Yes, The bimini top covers the majority of the stern and mid-deck area.Can I smoke on the pontoon?
No, absolutely no smoking is allowed on the pontoon boat.Is there a restroom on board?
No, all VNP campsites and day use sites contain lavatory facilities. Please refer to the visitors map to find a nearby facility.Can I keep a pontoon overnight at a VNP campsite?
Yes, as long as the campsite has a dock or a sand beach suitable for safely mooring the pontoon. Pontoons are not permitted at campsites with rocky shorelines. Please call if you have questions about suitable locations.Can I keep a pontoon overnight at a VRBO or vacation rental on the lake?
Yes, as long as there is a suitable dock to safely moor the pontoon. Please call us if you have any questions about your dock.Will you deliver the pontoon to my VRBO or vacation rental?
Yes, we offer delivery to VRBOs and vacation rentals. A $75 delivery fee applies to single-day rentals, while delivery is complimentary for multi-day rentals.Is gas included?
Fuel is not included, but your boat will start with a full tank. After your trip, we’ll refill it and only charge you for what you used.
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Where do I pick up the kayak or canoe?
Your paddlecraft will be delivered to the paddle launch area at the visitor center you choose during checkout—no need to transport it yourself.Do I need to meet you at 9:00 AM to receive the canoe?
No, you do not need to be present. We deliver canoes and kayaks to your selected pickup location by 9:00 AM, and you’re welcome to arrive and use them anytime throughout the day.What time do I need to return the kayak/canoe?
We ask that the paddlecraft be returned to the pickup location 1 hour prior to sunset.How do I identify the paddlecraft I’ve rented?
All paddlecraft are easy to spot with Voyageurs Outfitters stickers. Canoes are red Novacraft models, and kayaks are sunset-colored Old Towns. Paddlecraft aren’t individually assigned—just take the number of paddlecraft you have reserved.Can I transport a kayak or canoe on my vehicle?
Yes! If you have the proper rooftop setup or a pickup, you’re welcome to pick up your canoe or kayak at our facility and save on the delivery fee.Do you only deliver to the VNP Visitor Centers?
No, we can deliver to campgrounds and rental properties as well. Guests need to call and arrange special deliveries as that option is not available during checkout.
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Where do I pick up the fishing boat?
The fishing boats are kept in slips at Thunderbird lodge and that’s where 1 day rentals will depart from. Multi-day rental can be delivered to the Rainy lake visitor center.Where do I park?
We have designated free parking for our daily guests just to the left as you arrive at Thunderbird lodge. Multi-day guests can park for free at the Rainy Lake visitor Center.Is bait included?
No, bait is not included but is available at Rainy One Stop; a gas station and outdoors store near VNP.Is fishing gear included?
Fishing rods and tackle are not included, but you can easily add them to your reservation by giving us a call. We do include a net and a minnow bucket.Is gas included?
Fuel is not included, but your boat will start with a full tank. After your trip, we’ll refill it and only charge you for what you used.Can I keep a boat overnight at a VNP campsite?
Yes, as long as the campsite has a dock or a sand beach suitable for safely mooring the boats. Boats are not permitted at campsites with rocky shorelines. Please call if you have questions about suitable locations.Can I keep a boat overnight at a VRBO or vacation rental on the lake?
Yes, as long as there is a suitable dock to safely moor the boat. Please call us if you have any questions about your dock.Will you deliver the boat to my VRBO or vacation rental?
Yes, we offer delivery to VRBOs and vacation rentals. A $75 delivery fee applies to single-day rentals, while delivery is complimentary for multi-day rentals.
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Where do tours depart from?
All tours depart from Thunderbird Lodge, located at 2170 County Road 139, approximately 10 miles east of International Falls on Highway 11 East.
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What time do Water Taxi’s depart?
Water taxis depart at 2:00 PM, unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance. Campsite check-in begins at 3:00 PM.Is the Water Taxi price for both ways?
Yes, the price includes both drop-off and pickup. One-way trips are available at half the round-trip rate.Are pets allowed on the Water taxis?
Yes! Well-behaved pets are welcome to join you on the water taxi.Can we rent canoes or kayaks to take with us on the water taxi?
Yes, we offer complimentary delivery of canoes and kayaks directly to your campsite when using our water taxi service.Is gas included in the price?
Yes, gas is included, there is not an additional gas charge.How many people can you take on a water taxi?
We can accommodate up to 6 passengers per trip, along with their gear. Larger groups can be transported with additional trips at an added cost.
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Voyageurs National Park is located in north central Minnesota on the Canadian border in the Rainy Lake area. The Park is located on the northern border of Minnesota, 55 miles of the park stretch along the Ontario border. Voyageurs is about 15 miles east of International Falls, Minnesota and 300 miles north of Minneapolis – Saint Paul, Minnesota (five hours by car), three hours from Duluth, Minnesota, and four hours from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness lies to the east of the park. The park lies in the southern part of the Canadian Shield.
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Voyageurs is a water based park. Access to the Kabetogama peninsula, the islands and nearly all of the park’s shoreline is by watercraft. Free public boat ramps and parking are available at the park’s visitor centers and at the Kabetogama State Forest Campgrounds. Watercraft rental and water taxi service are available from private outfitters and resorts at each of the park’s four gateway communities – Ash River, Crane Lake, International Falls and Lake Kabetogama. Hiring a guided boat tour is highly recommended for newcomers to the park.
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all park campsites/houseboat sites are accessible only by water; there are over 200 sites; Voyageurs does not have any campsites that are accessible by car or foot. There are two small campgrounds in the park – north shore of Crane Lake (King Williams Narrows) and Mukooda Lake (interior lake just north of Crane Lake). There are five individual sites at each of these small campgrounds; accommodates up to 45 people
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources operates two drive-in campgrounds – Woodenfrog on Kabetogama Lake and Ash River in Ash River. Resorts in gateway communities have campsites for tents and RV’s. -
Visitors can camp in the park for 14 consecutive days and 30 calendar days all year. Visitors can leave their cars parked at a visitor center for the duration of their stay in the park.
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Visitors must use one of the park’s developed campsites because they are built to protect the park’s resources and to withstand use. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.
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We like to say that Voyageurs is just like the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness with one exception, Voyageurs is Fun. All campsites, unlike BWCAW, feature:
- tent pads (large: 13’ x 13’ or small: 7’ x 9’); small tent sites usually have 2 tent pads. large tent sites usually have 4 tent pads.
- metal food lockers (52” wide x 36” deep x 21” high)
- privy (toilet)
- fire ring
- picnic table
- dock (not all sites)
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Yes. The park has three visitors centers – Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake and Ash River. Rainy Lake is open year-round with reduced hours during the winter. Kabetogama Lake and Ash River are open seasonally. The park also has a ranger station at Crane Lake with very limited hours. The park maintains an informational bulletin board and overnight permit station across the street from the Ranger’s house. No other NPS facilities are at Crane Lake.
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The visitor’s centers are all accessible as are the tour boats. There are also a variety of HA campsites and visitor’s destinations within the park.