Reaching Voyageurs National Park's backcountry campsites requires a boat or a pair of boots. There is no road access. Sites are priced at $25 to $35 per night, reservations are available, and planning well in advance makes a real difference, particularly for summer weekends. Campers who bring their own watercraft have the most flexibility, but water taxis are an option from launch points like the Ash River Visitor Center. Those arranging a taxi should have all supplies organized before departure, as returning to the car mid-trip is not always practical. For roofed lodging or a different experience nearby, AshKaNam Resort & Lodge offers an alternative base in the area.
Sites vary considerably across the park's four large lakes. Some sit on points or rocky outcroppings with open sightlines across the water; others are tucked into forest cover, offering more wind protection but fewer views. Most tent sites include one or two tent pads, a fire ring, a picnic table, and a vault toilet. Bear boxes or bear poles are standard. There is no electricity and no potable water, so campers need to filter or treat lake water on site. Cell service is not reliable. Bring your own toilet paper.
Wildlife sightings are a regular part of the experience. Reviewers report wolves, otters, deer, turtles, and grouse. Aaron S. notes that "loons could be heard calling at all hours," and fishing draws many visitors to the surrounding lakes. Motorized boat traffic is present, especially on Kabetogama Lake, and the drone of distant motors is audible from some sites. This is not the deep solitude of the Boundary Waters, but it is a less logistically demanding alternative.
Navigating the park's waterways takes preparation. The network of islands, bays, and channels across lakes like Kabetogama and Rainy Lake can disorient paddlers without a detailed chart. Specific sites worth knowing: site K29 (Round Bear) is a short boat ride from Ash River and has a rock ledge overlooking the water; site B3 on Brown Lake is hike-in only, reached after a seven-to-eight-mile trail from the water taxi drop-off, and lacks a picnic table but has a pit toilet and bear pole. Kabetogama Lake Group Campsite is another option worth considering for larger groups. Those curious about tent sites near Voyageurs National Park can browse additional options across the region.
Pack charts, water treatment gear, and a VHF marine radio, and this park rewards the preparation.
Description
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES are located on the park's interior lakes and offer a more remote and secluded camping experience. They have fewer amenities, consisting of fire rings, an outdoor privy, and some have a bear pole for safe food storage. These sites first require travel by private watercraft or local water taxi service to a trailhead and then hiking up to several miles to the backcountry lakes. Some campsites can be hiked to directly while others require the use of a canoe after hiking which is provided by the park and remains stationed at these remote lakes.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsVoyageurs National Park Backcountry Camping is located in Minnesota near Voyageurs National Park
Coordinates
48.51457801 N
92.79347636 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 32 min from Duluth, MN
- 4 hrs 10 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 4 hrs 30 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 4 hrs 32 min from Fargo, ND













































