The Details
A water-based wilderness of interconnected lakes and boreal forest on the Minnesota-Canada border, best seen by boat.
STATE
MN
ESTABLISHED
1975
AREA
218k acres
ECOSYSTEM
Forest
When To Visit
Best Time To Visit
MONTH BY MONTHBEST TIME TO GO
June–September for boating, fishing and paddling; September has fewer bugs and fall color. Winter is for snowmobiling, skiing and the northern lights.
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WEATHER
CROWDS
Weather: greatokaytough — heat, cold, snow, monsoon or closures
Crowds: quietmoderatebusy
CROWDS
Summer weekends and the mid-May fishing opener are busiest.
WEATHER
Mosquitoes and biting flies peak May–July, storms can build quickly on the big lakes, and winters fall below 0°F.
General patterns — conditions vary by year. Check current NPS alerts and road status before you go.
How Far
Park Entrances
SET YOUR LOCATIONEvery entrance is a different drive. Enter your ZIP to compare:
Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
Ash River Visitor Center
Nearest Airports
ESTIMATED DRIVE TO THE PARKINL
DIRECTIONS →Falls Intl (International Falls)NEAREST
≈ 15 mi · ~20 min drive to Rainy Lake Visitor Center
HIB
DIRECTIONS →Range Regional (Hibbing)
≈ 88 mi · ~1.8 hr drive to Ash River Visitor Center
DLH
DIRECTIONS →Duluth Intl
≈ 140 mi · ~2.8 hr drive to Ash River Visitor Center
Distances are rough estimates to the closest entrance. Check road and ferry conditions before you go.
What To Do
Top Things To Do
◆Rent a houseboat
◆Canoe or kayak the island-dotted lakes
◆Fish for walleye
◆Look for the northern lights
Where To Stay
Camping
Campgrounds inside the park are booked through Recreation.gov, and many fill months ahead.
FIND CAMPSITES ON RECREATION.GOV ↗Lodging & Nearby Towns
INSIDE THE PARK
Kettle Falls Hotel
GATEWAY TOWNS
International FallsCrane LakeOrr
Cool Facts & Figures
By The Numbers
#32
LARGEST OF 64
#37
OLDEST OF 64
218,200
ACRES
51
YEARS PROTECTED
◆Around 40 percent of the park is water, and most of it is reached by boat.
◆The park is named for the French-Canadian fur traders who paddled these waters.
Links
Plan Your Visit
OFFICIAL & TRUSTED SITESREADY TO GO?
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