Cabins near International Falls, Minnesota provide access to Voyageurs National Park and the surrounding lakes region. This northern Minnesota area sits just south of the Canadian border with average winter temperatures around -7°F and summer averages of 75°F. Most cabin properties operate from May through October, with peak season being June through August when water temperatures reach their warmest points for swimming and water activities.
What to do
Boat rentals and tours: Arrowhead Lodge offers boat, kayak and canoe rentals for exploring Lake Kabetogama. "They have a dock you can keep a boat at or rent a boat if you don't have one. They rent Kayaks & canoes too," notes one visitor to Arrowhead Lodge.
Fishing opportunities: Pelican Lake near Aspen Resort & Campground offers excellent fishing access. "Fishing on Pelican lake is great. The fishing dock is accessible (I rode my mobility scooter out there with no difficulty) and they have boats available so you can get out on the lake," reports one camper.
Wildlife viewing: The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately 15 miles from some cabin properties. "We also enjoyed the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary. It's only 15 miles away. A wonderful place to view the bears! Don't miss it!" shares a visitor to Aspen Resort.
Dark sky viewing: Voyageurs National Park is certified as a Dark Sky park. "The view of the sky at night was amazing. We didn't know this until we arrived and walked over to the Lake Kabetogama Voyageurs National Park Visitors Center that the park is Dark Sky Certified," notes a visitor to The Pines of Kabetogama Resort.
What campers like
Lakefront access: Most cabins provide direct water access through docks or beaches. At Birch Grove Resort, "the deck on the water is nice, boat dock and swim beach on a calm cove on Lake Kabetogama."
Proximity to visitor centers: Cabin locations provide strategic access to park facilities. "This campground is about as close as you can get to the Ash River Visitor center of Voyageurs National Park," notes a camper at Ash River Campground.
Wildlife sightings: Visitors frequently spot native wildlife from cabin properties. "We saw bald eagles fly by every afternoon. This is a night sky park, so they ask you to turn off your outside lights after quiet hours," reports a visitor to The Pines of Kabetogama.
Clean facilities: Several properties maintain well-kept shower and bathroom facilities. "Full hookups, good spacing, clean bathrooms and showers. Friendly owner," mentions a visitor to Ash River Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Advance bookings are essential, especially for waterfront sites. A visitor to Pine Acres Resort and Campground notes, "Great primitive campsite to hit on the way to Voyaguers National Park. Everyone says stay at Woodenfrog or Ash because it's close to the park but those parks are very primitive."
Payment methods: Some smaller properties have limited payment options. "Check or cash only no credit card," reports a visitor to Birch Grove Resort.
Cell service limitations: Network coverage varies widely in this remote area. A visitor to Ash River Campground notes, "One note, no cell signal on Verizon."
Train noise: Some properties experience periodic train noise. "There is a train that goes through across the lake but it stops around 10pm so horns aren't going off while you're sleeping," mentions a camper at Pine Acres Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly amenities: Cabin O' Pines Resort provides recreational options for children. "A really nice place with lots of fun stuff do to right in the campground including a beach and boat ramp on Pelican Lake. There is a nice playground area for kids," reports one visitor.
Swimming options: Several properties offer designated swimming areas. "We spent a lot of time in the pool and hot tub and enjoyed the nightly campfire," notes a visitor to Aspen Resort & Campground.
Free water activities: Some resorts include complimentary water equipment. "Paddle boat and kayaks are free for guests as well as many other amenities and activities the children will enjoy," mentions an Aspen Resort visitor.
Island exploration: Families can visit islands for swimming and hiking. One visitor reports, "We kayaked to Bittersweet Island and got out to stretch in a cove. Took a dip and relaxed."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At The Pines of Kabetogama Resort, upper and lower level sites offer different experiences. "Do you prefer the community experience? The sites on the lower level fill that preference. Spread out with more privacy? Reserve a site on the upper level," advises one RVer.
Site conditions: Prepare for variable site conditions at some properties. "The sites for the temp folks had full hookups but were gravel that was not well maintained and not level," notes a visitor to Cabin O'Pines Resort.
Hookup layouts: Some properties have challenging utility configurations. "We had to use 2 sewer hoses & just got them to stretch to the limits... The electric box was on a different side than the sewer & the water it also was stretched to reach," reports an RVer at Birch Grove Resort.
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging at some properties. "About the worst thing I could say about this campground is the road leading up to the cliff was pretty rough," notes a visitor to The Pines of Kabetogama.
