Winter is a season to get out and explore and try new things. Snowshoeing in Voyageurs National Park is just one aspect of the environmental education programs there/NPS

Winter is a cold, snowy, and decidedly solitary season at Voyageurs National Park, where fellow visitors can be hard to spot. Take December 2017, for instance. The park recorded just 110 visitors, down from 196 a year earlier.

But if you relish skimming through the woods on skis or snowmobiles, like to study tracks of what crossed the meadows and frozen ponds, or crave to see the dancing Northern Lights overhead, well, a visit to Voyageurs should be given serious consideration.

Don’t let the average mid-winter high temperatures in the teens, or overnight lows in the single digits, or the four to six feet of snow, discourage you. Today’s winter clothing is engineered to keep you warm and dry, and warming up over a cup of hot chocolate is a treasured experience.

Snow? Check. Snowshoes? Check. Ranger? They can be arranged to lead you on a snowshoe hike at Voyageurs/NPS

What is there to do at Voyageurs from December to March? With more than a little help from the staff at Voyageurs National Park Association, here are some ideas for a three-day excursion.

Day 1

Embrace the cold, crisp air and fresh snow by immersing yourself in the tranquility of Voyageurs with some crosscountry skiing. There are plenty of options for a day outing.

The Echo Bay Trail is located three miles from the Kabetogama Visitor Center (closed in winter) off County Road 122. This trail offers a wide path that takes you from aspens to pines as you glide through lowlands and rocky outcrops. Sections of this trail are groomed for skiing in the winter months—perfect for novice skiers—while other parts of the trail are of intermediate difficulty.

No worries if you don’t have your own gear. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center offers a limited number of adult and child-sized skis, boots, and poles free-of-charge. Call the center at (218) 286-5258 for availability.

From the visitor center, you can access the Tilson Creek Ski Trails (just outside of Voyageurs) via a mile-long connector trail. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages this ten-mile network of interconnected ski trails. Several routes are possible, ranging from short loops to longer excursions.

This system has several hills to enjoy, but none are particularly challenging. At the southernmost point skiers can look out over Black Bay. There are three shelters, one on the connector trail, one at the end of the Green Trail that runs one mile in from the Tilson Bay Ski Trail head on Highway 11 East, and one on the Red Trail on the way to Black Bay.

By heading a mile north from the visitor center across the frozen Rainy Lake Ice Road you can access the Black Bay Ski Trail. This classic-only ski trail groomed by park staff is a delightful excursion across frozen beaver ponds and into the pine forest of the Kabetogama peninsula. There are three connected 3-mile loops, plus a one-mile beginners loop.

The main loops, the Pine Ridge and Upper Pine, are challenging trails with substantial hills to climb and descend. There is a shelter at the intersection of the Pine and Upper Pine where you can take a break, bask in the sun, and listen to the surrounding forest.

You can also launch your cross-country skiing exploration from other gateway communities around the park. Try the Kab-Ash Trail or follow these links for trail information near Crane Lake and Ash River.

Winter often brings out the silent beauty of Voyageurs National Park/NPS

Day 2

Cross-training is always wise, and after a day of cross-country skiing some time spent on snowshoes offers your leg muscles a nice change of pace. And the slower pace (unless you’re an experienced ‘shoer on racing snowshoes) can be a godsend. As you move about the forests and clearings in Voyageurs on snowshoes you’re more apt to pause and glance around your surroundings and notice the subtler aspects of winter.

A beauty of snowshoeing is that you really don’t need a set trail, but can simply follow your toes, or nose. That said, there are some established trails for snowshoers.

The Blind Ash Bay Trail consists of a 2.5-mile loop of moderate difficulty. It’s accessible via the Ash River Visitor Center trailhead. The narrow, winding trail will allow you to experience the wonders of the boreal forest and view spectacular scenery.

Along with skis, the Rainy Lake Visitor Center has a number of snowshoes in many sizes and shapes available free-of-charge. Just call ahead for availability (218-286-5258). From the visitor center you can access the 1.7-mile Oberholtzer Trail, snowshoeing through forests and wetlands.

Elsewhere in the park, all open trails are great for snowshoeing as long as there’s enough snow.

The Oberholtzer Trail is a popular winter destination for snowshoers and cross-country skiers at Voyageurs/NPS

If snowshoeing seems too sedate, head to the hills with sled in hand. Once the snow piles up Voyageur’s Sphunge Island Sledding Hill is open and accessible from the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road near the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. It even has picnic tables and a fire ring for lunch or snack breaks and warming up. There’s also a skating rink here.

Experienced skiers and snowshoers shouldn’t overlook the chance to camp in the backcountry. Camping offers amazing opportunities for night sky and wildlife viewing (moose and bald eagles are among the species that call Voyageurs home). Perhaps you’ll even catch the Northern Lights, or hear a wolf pack howling.

Keep in mind, though, that all overnight stays at campsites within the park require a reservation in advance. You can make a reservation at https://www.recreation.gov/ camping/campgrounds/249981.

Day 3

Voyageurs is one of the national parks that fully embraces snowmobiling. There are 110 miles of staked and groomed trails for cruising through the park. Be sure to obey all closure signs, speed limits, and familiarize yourself with the park snowmobile map. Areas may be closed for your safety and to protect sensitive resources.

One particularly beautiful trail runs from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center down Black Bay to Gold Portage and then east through the Chain of Lakes. It exits onto Lake Kabetogama, runs west and north across the ice, and returns on the Gold Portage Trail back to Rainy Lake.

You could use your snowmobile to reach an ice-fishing site. Winter quiet, rugged piney shorelines, and outstanding angling make Voyageurs an ice angler’s paradise. Just follow the rules: Place ice houses at least 50 feet from the center of snowmobile trails and the ice road; check ice conditions before going out; be sure to have a fishing license and ice house registration.

Ice roads are something you won’t encounter in many other places in the National Park System. Just check with park staff to ensure the ice is strong enough to drive on/NPS

Exploring the Rainy Lake Ice Road in your own rig is another great way to experience Voyageurs. It departs from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch. Another option is the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road, which travels between the boat launches of the Ash River and Kabetogama Lake visitor centers.

The speed limit on these routes is a slow and steady 30 mph. Familiarize yourself with safety on the ice roads, and know that ice road routes change from year to year depending on ice conditions. Contact the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for the latest ice conditions, or check the park’s website before planning a trip to see which ice roads are open for the season.

Start, or end, your day, or days, in the park with a visit to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. You can glean park information from the rangers here, learn more about the history of Voyageurs National Park, and pick up skis or snowshoes for the day. Come back after your day of winter activities to warm up and browse the park bookstore. 

No matter what winter activities you choose, you’ll come away from Voyageurs National Park with a new appreciation for winter and the beauties of the park when it’s snowbound.

Wolves are some of the locals at Voyageurs, and they can be easier to spot in winter, if only by their tracks/NPS