Things to Explore
When you stay with us, make sure you check out some of the areas best attractions. You will find that there is so much to do and see in the Voyageurs National Park. Click each image to be directed to each site more more information.
Kettle Falls
Kettle Falls Hotel and Kettle Falls are a remote spot on the Minnesota-Canadian border that has a rich history spanning several hundred years. Native American Indians fished for sturgeon at the falls since the early 1700's. French Voyageurs portaged their 26 foot canoes and packs of fur around the falls. Gold miners took steamers from here to Rainy Lake's gold fields in the 1800's. Loggers brought millions of logs through the dam in the early part of the century. During the 1920s, commercial fishermen auctioned off their catches in 100-pound boxes at the docks. During prohibition, bootleggers distilled and sold whiskey near the Hotel and surrounding areas. The Kettle Falls Hotel was constructed in 1910 by timber baron, Ed Rose but was reputedly financed by Madame Nellie Bly. The William's family, beginning with Bob and 'Lil in 1918, operated the hotel for 70 years. Recognized for its significant contribution to regional history, the hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The boundary between the U.S. and Canada runs through the middle of the Kettle Falls Dam. This unique geographic phenomenon allows a visitor to stand on United States soil and look "south" into Canada. The overlook near the Dam is a great place to do this so bring your camera.
Vince Shute Wildlife Sancuary, Orr,
Thousands of people visit the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary every year, to view and learn about black bears, their behavior, habitat needs and life cycles. Visitors also get the opportunity to view a special group of wild bears that come to this location every summer, from an elevated platform. Nestled in the North Woods of Minnesota, the Sanctuary is located approximately two hours northwest of Duluth. The nearest town is Orr orrmn.com which is about thirty minutes away.
Encompassing some 360 acres, the Sanctuary consists of a combination of habitats: aspen forests, cedar swamps, marshes, beaver ponds, a primary stream, open meadows and numerous other resources.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Schauer
Ellsworth Rock Garden
The Ellsworth Rock Gardens have been known as the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama” since the 1940s. Jack Ellsworth, the garden’s creator and a self-taught artist, used natural elements of the native northern Minnesota landscape as his artistic media, creating an original and distinctive art environment on the north shore of Kabetogama Lake.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Schauer
Hiking
Hiking in the Voyageurs National Park can be a fun and rewarding experience as in other national parks. It is a great way to both see and experience the park.Water dominates the landscape of Voyageurs National Park; within its boundaries, more than 30 lakes fill glacier-carved rock basins. Four large lakes - Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point - cover almost 40 percent of the 218,054 acres of Voyageurs, making it one of the few water-dominated parks in the National Park Service system and the only park unit draining northward to Hudson Bay. Hundreds of rocky islands and a myriad of coves and bays are scattered throughout these large lakes. In the midst of all this water lies the Kabetogama Peninsula, a 75,000 acre roadless land mass. The topography of the peninsula and much of the rest of the park is rugged; rolling hills are interspersed between bogs, beaver ponds, swamps and smaller lakes.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Schauer
Fishing
Voyageurs National park is made up of 84,000 sq/acres of water, 622 miles of shoreline
Photo courtesy of Heidi Schauer
Camping and shore lunches
Hiking in the Voyageurs National Park can be a fun and rewarding experience as in other national parks. It is a great way to both see and experience the park.Water dominates the landscape of Voyageurs National Park; within its boundaries, more than 30 lakes fill glacier-carved rock basins. Four large lakes - Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point - cover almost 40 percent of the 218,054 acres of Voyageurs, making it one of the few water-dominated parks in the National Park Service system and the only park unit draining northward to Hudson Bay. Hundreds of rocky islands and a myriad of coves and bays are scattered throughout these large lakes. In the midst of all this water lies the Kabetogama Peninsula, a 75,000 acre roadless land mass. The topography of the peninsula and much of the rest of the park is rugged; rolling hills are interspersed between bogs, beaver ponds, swamps and smaller lakes.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Schauer
Golfing
Redesigned by Joel Goldstrand and open to the public, The River is a championship course that is enjoyable for all ages and skill levels. Located next to scenic Rainy River, The Riveris quickly developing the reputation as one of Northern Minnesota's top golf courses.
Other Attractions and Tours
KOOCHICHING COUNTY & BRONCO NAGURSKI HISTORICAL MUSEUM
State of the art facility will preserve and educate all visitors about the history of Koochiching County with well-researched and exciting exhibits. Over 10,000 items are exhibited in the museum and cover other topics including Native American artifacts, geology, homesteading era, early settlement, farm equipment, antique cars, toys and dolls, and much, much more!
The Bronko Nagurski Museum is a lasting tribute to an outstanding man, athlete, and citizen. It is the first modern museum in America dedicated to an individual football player.
For more information call (218) 283-4316. Both museums open May through September.
INTERNATIONAL BORDER & BRIDGE
30 miles drive north on HWY 53. Access to Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada.
Kabetogema Methodist Church
Please come and worship with us. Visit our beautiful church and see extraordinary wood carvings from local craftsman Herman Melheim.
Visitor Centers
ASH RIVER VISITOR CENTER
Meadwood Rd Ash River Trail Orr, MN 55771(218)374-3221Open daily May 7-September 30 9-5. Visit the center and enjoy hiking trails filled with pine and spectacular views of Kabetogama Lake.
RAINY LAKES VISITOR CENTER
International Falls, MN 56649(218)286-5258
BOGWALK
at the Voyageurs National Park and Orr area InformationCenter (218) 757-3932.
The center offers the chance to walk through a bog without getting your feet wet!Access from HWY 53 in Orr, MN
KABETOGAMA LAKE VISITOR CENTER
(218) 875-2111Daily, 9:00 am - 5 pmMay 7th - Sept 30th