Voyagers National Park in Minnesota offers a variety of hiking trails, some accessible by land, and others accessible only by boat.
Land-Accessible Trails
Be on the lookout for wading birds along the Oberholtzer Trail, Voyageurs National Park / NPS-C. Meridith
Kab-Ash Trail
Distance one-way: 27.9 mile / 44.9 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
With a duration of 1-5 days, this hike connecting the Kabetogama and Ash River communities through an extensive system of interconnected backcountry forests and wetlands. With multiple trailheads, you can explore smaller sections or plan an adventurous thru-hike with primitive camping opportunities along the way. Note: The Salmi Road entrance to the Kab-Ash Trail in the Kabetogama community is closed.
Blind Ash Bay Loop Trail
Distance: 2.9 miles / 4.7 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
This lollipop loop trail is narrow, winding, and rocky, exposing hikers to the wonders of the boreal forest. It’s great for birding and wildlife and offers views of Kabetogama Lake.
Oberholtzer Trail
Distance roundtrip: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers; accessible part of the trail 0.5 mile/0.8 kilometer
Difficulty: Easy
Wander through deciduous and conifer forest as the trail twists around the edge of a cattail filled wetland and past rocks deposited by ancient glaciers. You might see signs of wildlife at the two overlooks with marsh and lake views.
Beaver Pond Overlook Trail
Distance roundtrip: 0.4 mile / 0.6 kilometer
Difficulty: Moderate
A short uphill hike through an aspen and pine forest leads to a rocky outcrop high above a beaver pond.
Sullivan Bay Trail
Distance roundtrip: 1.5 miles / 2.4 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
This easy hike along an old forest road leads you through both coniferous and deciduous forest. The trail ends at a viewpoint on Sullivan Bay with a picnic table and fire ring. The exposed rock along the trail exposed rock was created by volcanic activity over 2 billion years ago.
Voyageurs’ Tilson Connector Trail
Distance roundtrip: Varies
Difficulty: Easy
Open year-round, this trail is great for cross-country skiing in winter.
The Rainy Lake Recreation Trail is a great place to walk for both you and your pet, Voyageurs National Park / NPS file
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail
Difficulty: Easy
This paved trail is a great option for leashed pets, bicyclists, walkers, runners, and snowshoers to take in the views of forest, lake, and marsh scenery. It is a non-strenuous, accessible trail that requires about 1.5 hours round trip to complete.
Voyageurs Forest Overlook Loop Trail
Distance: 0.4 mile / 0.6 kilometer
Difficulty: Moderate
This short trail takes you through a section of forest revealing the changes in the forest at different elevations.
Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail
Distance roundtrip: 0.4 mile / 0.6 kilometer
Difficulty: Easy
This short handicap accessible trail takes you through a pine forest to a viewpoint where you can sit on a bench and see Kabetogama Lake framed by the trees.
Echo Bay Loop Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4.0 kilometers
Difficulty: Easy
This wide trail showcases the transition between deciduous and boreal forests as you pass through lowlands and rocky outcrops. This is a popular trail for birders.
Boat-Accessible Trails
The Chain of Lakes canoe launch area is at the end of Locator Lake Trail, Voyageurs National Park / NPS-C. Braton
Locator Lake Trail
Distance roundtrip: 4 miles / 6.4 kilometer
Difficulty: Strenuous
twists its way through forest and wetlands from Kabetogama Lake until it ends on the southern shoreline of Locator Lake - one of a series of unique interior lakes with rental canoes and reservation-only campsites. Note: The Cranberry Creek Portage Trail from Rainy Lake has been permanently closed. Access to the Chain of Lakes is via the Locator Lake Trailhead on the north shore of Kabetogama Lake.
Distance roundtrip: 1.2 miles / 1.9 kilometers
Difficulty: Moderate
Take a boat one mile from the visitor center and hike this trail through northern pine country to a scenic, active beaver pond.
A reminder of the park's geologic past in the form of a glacial erratic seen along the Mukooda Trail, Voyageurs National Park / NPS file
Mukooda Trail
Hiking Distance roundtrip: 2.8 miles / 4.5 kilometers
Distance roundtrip to Filben Cabin: 0.4 mile / 0.6 kilometer
Difficulty: Moderate
The Mukooda Trail meanders through a mix of deciduous and coniferous forest and over rocky ridges, scraped bare by ancient glaciers. At the southern end of the trail you can see the remains of the Filben Cabin. Once called The St. Paul Club, the cabin was a popular hideout among Minnesota’s Prohibition (1920-1933) era gangsters.
Cruiser Lake Trail
Distance one-way: 8 miles / 12.9 kilometers
Difficulty: Strenuous
This rugged trail crosses over the peninsula, up rocky cliffs and down into remote wetland areas. See parts of the park many people do not visit. Other trails can be added on to this hike for backcountry camping.
Anderson Bay Loop Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles (4.0 km) loop including hiking to the trail start from the Anderson Bay Dock
This trail takes you through the forest past rocky clearings and beaver ponds to spectacular views of Rainy Lake form the shoreline and Anderson Bay from the top of the cliffs.
Looking out over Anderson Bay from the top of the cliffs, Voyageurs National Park / NPS file
