Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park: Directions, Stops, & More (2023)
Are you planning a visit from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota?
These two destinations are both popular amongst locals and visitors alike, and luckily, they’re close enough that you can make it a weekend trip!
Going from the bustling nature of the Twin Cities to the quiet, peacefulness of Voyageurs is beautiful and such a great way to escape life for a short time.
And as Minnesota’s only national park, Voyageurs is a must-see for anyone visiting or living in the state!
I’ve lived in Minnesota for my entire life and have visited both of these places multiple times, so I have plenty to share with you!
In this post, I’ll tell you all about the drive between these two destinations, things to do in each, stops to make along the way, and more.
Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park: Distance
Minneapolis and Voyageurs National Park are on opposite ends of the state, but the drive time actually isn’t too bad.
The drive is about 280 miles, and will take just over 4 hours and 30 minutes.
If you’re planning a weekend trip, this is the perfect destination to go, as you can reach it in under 5 hours and then spend the whole weekend there!
There aren’t a ton of stops to make along the way, so it’ll be a fairly fast drive there.
Best Transportation Options
As for transportation to get between these two places, there are only two options to choose from.
Driving [Cheapest]
The first option, as well as the easiest and cheapest. is to drive yourself, whether that be in your own car or in a rental car.
While the drive does take nearly 5 hours, it’s really not that terrible since you’ll be driving through beatiful evergreen trees for the entire way.
Driving yourself will be the cheapest option, and it will also give you the flexibility to wander around the park and explore during your visit.
And because International Falls and the other cities around Voyageurs are small, it may be tough to find a rental car, so this is your best choice.
Get the Best Deals on a Rental Car!
If you’re looking to get your own car to drive to Voyageurs National Park, then I recommend using Discover Cars to get the best deal on your car!
Flying [Fastest]
If you’d prefer to take a bit faster route to Voyageurs National Park from Minneapolis, you can book a flight.
While this option will be a bit more expensive (typically around $150-$250 one way), it’ll get you there faster than driving in a car!
You’ll depart from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and you’ll arrive in Falls International Airport (INL).
Falls International Airport is the closest airport to Voyageurs National Park, located in International Falls and is only about 45 minutes away.
The flight is direct from Minneapolis and will only take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
From the airport, you’ll have about a 45 minute drive to the national park, and you can pickup a rental car from the airport.
While this route does get you there faster, you’ll need to consider the added costs of getting plane tickets and a rental car.
Get the Best Deals on Flights!
If you’re looking to book a flight to Voyageurs National Park, then I recommend using Expedia to get the best deals on your tickets!
Driving Directions Between Minneapolis and Voyageurs
If you’ve decided to make the drive between Minneapolis and Voyageurs (good choice!), you might be wondering how the heck to get there.
Below I’ve provided a map of the drive, but I also wanted to give you some driving directions for visiting Voyageurs National Park.
The drive is pretty straightforward, which is really great! Here are some directions for the drive:
- Starting from Minneapolis, head north on I-35 towards Forest Lake and Wyoming.
- Continue on I-35 N until you reach Cloquet, where you’ll exit and merge onto MN-33 N.
- In Saginaw, turn left onto US Highway 53 N.
- Follow US-53 N until you reach the area of Voyageurs National Park, where you’ll need to decide which location in the park you’re visiting.
Map of the Drive
Below is a map of the drive from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park so you can easily find your way between these destinations!
These directions lead to the Ash River Visitor Center, but you can easily change them to whatever visitor center or location you’re headed to, such as the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
How to Get Around Voyageurs National Park
If you’ve done any research about Minnesota’s only national park, you may have noticed that over 1/3 of the park is covered in water.
As you can imagine, this can make getting around Voyageurs National Park kind of tricky.
In order to make the most of your trip, you’ll want at the very least a car, since there is no public transportation, such as shuttles, around the park.
A car will get you to some of the more visited locations, such as visitor centers, some hiking trails, and a few camping locations.
To really experience the park for what it is, I recommend renting or bringing a boat!
You can rent a boat from one of the nearby resorts, Northern Lights Resort and Outfitting, or from The Pines of Kabetogama.
You can also visit parts of the park with a kayak, canoe, or paddle board, you just won’t be able to get as far as a motorboat would.
There are also water taxis available that offer tours of the park if you don’t have your own boat or car.
Can You Visit Voyageurs National Park Without a Boat?
Yes, you can visit Voyageurs National Park without a boat. Some hiking trails, campgrounds, and visitor centers are located on land that are accessible by car. To really experience the park, I recommend having a boat, but if you don’t have one, you can still have a worthwhile visit.
Is Voyageurs National Park Accessible by Car?
Yes, there are some roads that lead through the park to places like visitor centers and hiking trails. But if you want to get to more of the secluded areas, you’ll need to have a boat to get around.
Stops to Make Between Minneapolis and Voyageurs NP
There aren’t as many stops to make between these two destinations since the drive is mostly along the interstate, but there are a few worthwhile destinations!
✔ Banning State Park
Distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour 20 minutes
Distance from Voyageurs: 3 hours 10 minutes
Found just off the Interstate in Sandstone, Banning State Park lines the Kettle River and offers a nice place to enjoy Minnesota’s nature.
The park is surrounded by forested land and features a small waterfall, historic buildings from the old quarry, and nice places to relax along the river.
Even just a short stop here will give you a breath of fresh air and the energy that you need to finish the drive by hiking in central Minnesota.
✔ Jay Cooke State Park
Distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours
Distance from Voyageurs: 2 hours 40 minutes
Located right along the way when driving from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park, this beautiful state park is home to the start of the Superior Hiking Trail, a unique swinging bridge, and great views of the St. Louis River.
A stop here offers you a change to stretch your legs on the many hiking trails, learn more about the start of the North Shore, or just enjoy the beautiful views of the river.
✔ Duluth
Distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours 15 minutes
Distance from Voyageurs: 2 hours 40 minutes
While slightly out of the way, I think that a stop in Duluth is one of the most worthwhile stops when driving to Voyageurs National Park from Minneapolis.
As home to the beautiful Lake Superior, many hiking trails, great places to eat, lots of local shops, and more, Duluth is a must-see.
You can also drive just a bit further up Lake Superior to experience some of the amazing North Shore hidden gems, beautiful views of the lake, and great hiking.
✔ Virginia
Distance from Minneapolis: 3 hours
Distance from Voyageurs: 1 hour 30 minutes
This smaller town, located on Minnesota’s Iron Range isn’t as worthwhile as some of the other stops, but it’s a nice place to stop and stretch your legs.
With just about a quarter of the drive left, you can stop and grab a bite to eat in Virginia, visit the United State’s Hockey Hall of Fame, or see the world’s largest floating loon in Silver Lake.
Best Things to Do in Minneapolis
Before leaving Minneapolis, of course, you should stop and see some of the very best activities that this large city has to offer! From great places to eat to fun concert venues, there is so much to do!
✔ Visit the Museums
Minneapolis has a variety of local museums to visit, where you can learn about the history of the state, or see beautiful artwork.
Mill City Museum will teach you about how Minneapolis was once the flour-milling capital of the world, while the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden showcase some of the city’s art scene.
✔ Wander Around the Local Lakes
With Minnesota being the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it would be really hard to miss out on visiting some of the beautiful waterways in the state!
Even in Minneapolis, you can get out on the water and enjoy things like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.
A few of the most popular lakes include Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis, and Lake Minnetonka.
Each offers the same great opportunity to enjoy the water, whether it be winter or summer.
✔ Go Shopping
If you love to shop, then you’ll love checking out all of the great places to wander around and shop in Minneapolis.
From small, local boutiques to large-scale shops like the Mall of America, you can find everything that you can imagine here!
Wander around the streets of Downtown Minneapolis to check out some of the local shops, and bring home a few souvenirs from your visit!
✔ Grab a Bite to Eat
Along with shopping, Minneapolis is filled with great places to grab a bite to eat on your visit.
You’ll find every type of cuisine that you can imagine, from classic American to Italian, Mexican, and even Polynesian. And of course, Minnesota classics like a Jucy Lucy.
Whether you want unique experiences, like those at Psycho Suzi’s, or Dick’s Last Resort in the Mall of America, or a relaxing meal like what you’ll find at Hen House Eatery, there’s something for everyone.
Best Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is packed with fun activities to keep everyone busy, whether you’re wanting to relax or get out and adventure. So once you’ve arrived, be sure to take advantage of the best things to do!
✔ Go Hiking
Hiking in national parks is one of my very favorite things to do, and you can do this right here in Minnesota!
Experience the true beauty of Minnesota’s nature as you wander through the dense forests of Voyageurs National Park on a trail.
There are many that are accessible via car, but also many that can only be reached via boat.
You can even hike into your own campsite and stay a few nights in the backcountry, enjoying the peaceful nature of the park.
✔ Boat Around the Lakes
With over 1/3 of the park being covered in water, one of the best activities to do during your visit is to boat around the many lakes within Voyageurs National Park.
The largest lake is Lake Kabetogama, which is home to many varieties of fish that you can catch.
If you’re not into fishing, you can also just boat around the lakes, whether that be on a motorboat, pontoon, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
The lakes are even great for recreation year-round, since during the winter months, you can either ice fish or snowmobile across them.
✔ Stay in the Kettle Falls Hotel
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a remote hotel, the Kettle Falls Hotel is the place for you!
Only accessible by boat and located nearly in Canada, this seasonal and historic hotel offers a unique experience to visitors.
You can either book your own boat to get you to the hotel, or you can take their ferry which you can arrange when you book your stay.
You’ll get to escape crowds during this stay, because of its remote location!
✔ Ellsworth Rock Gardens
This location is only accessible via boat, and offers a unique experience to escape the grows and see a small rock garden created in the 1940s.
Jack Ellsworth created this abstract piece of art featuring rocks, flowers, and other natural items.
Today, you can check it out and enjoy the beauty of all of the natural features coming together to create art.
✔ See the Northern Lights
The northern lights are often seen in Voyageurs National Park, and it makes for one of the most unique and best things to see during your visit.
Now of course, you can’t always see them, but if you’re lucky, you’ll see the sky flooded with shades of bright green, purple, and pink.
The best time to see them is in the winter, and because Voyageurs has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park, your chances of seeing them are high.
A few things have to happen for the Aurora Borealis to be visible, and you can check out the predictions online about a month before your trip.
Where to Stay Near Voyageurs National Park
Once you’ve made it all the way up to Voyageurs National Park, you’ll need to find somewhere to stay.
There are a few options, including camping within the park or outside of it, or you can book a stay in a resort or hotel. Here are some of the best options.
🏩 Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting: Along the shores of Kabetogama Lake, this beautiful resort is great for fishing, relaxing along the lakeshore, and accessing the park. You can stay in a cabin and have a private vacation!
🏩 Cobblestone Hotel & Suites: This new hotel is in International Falls, and features an indoor pool and hot tub, beautiful rooms, pet-friendly accommodations, and more.
🏩 Kettle Falls Hotel: While difficult to get to, a stay here will provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s the only hotel within the park and is only accessible by boat!
🏕 Camping: Another option for accommodations is to camp. Frontcountry and backcountry sites are available and all require a permit. All of them are accessible by boat.
FAQs
The best time of year to visit Voyageurs is in the summer. This is when all of the lakes are clear of ice, the hiking trails are open, fishing is good, and you can enjoy the warm weather.
Voyageurs is special because it’s Minnesota’s only national park. It also is made up of over 1/3 water, so it’s very unique from other parks in the National Park Service system.
Yes, you can drive through Voyageurs National Park, but only to certain destinations. There are many places in the park only accessible by boat.
International Falls is the closest city to Voyageurs National Park. It’s about 45 minutes away and has the closest airport.
The closest airport to Voyageurs NP is Falls International Airport (INL) in International Falls. It’s only about 45 minutes away. Otherwise, you can visit from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Yes, Voyageurs NP is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Minnesota. Because of how little light pollution there is here, they are often seen year-round!
Wrap-Up: Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park
In conclusion, the journey from Minneapolis to Voyageurs National Park is an adventure worth taking.
Starting in the vibrant city of Minneapolis, you can enjoy the city’s great food, entertainment, and more
As you make your way north, you’ll encounter the breathtaking natural beauty of northern Minnesota, including dense forests and sparkling lakes.
Finally, reaching Voyageurs National Park, you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of the wilderness and enjoy the peaceful nature of the park.
Driving yourself is the best option, and will give you the best chance to explore this fantastic area.
