Have you ever heard of Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota? No doubt, when one hears “national parks in the United States” places like Yosemite, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone come to mind. However, there’s only one national park in the midwest state of Minnesota… and it is highly underrated! To inspire you to visit this remote national park, read my experience of visiting Voyageurs National Park.
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As someone who grew up in Minnesota and has been going to Voyageurs National Park for many years now, I never actually realized how little-known this national park truly is to the rest of the country.
(Or how special and unique it is.)
Blissfully off-the-grid and cut off from the rest of the world, Voyageurs National Park is like another freakin’ planet.
A ginormous network of pristine lakes and waterways zig-zaging their way between hundreds of rocky islands and dense forests, Voyageurs is the epitome of remote wildness and untouched nature.
And it’s absolutely perfect for those who despise hoards of crowds, towering skyscrapers, and tourist traps. (Such as I.)
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Want to know what’s even cooler about Voyageurs National Park?
It’s so darn remote that it can really only be explored by boat or foot. (Or by cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the chilly winter.)
Not to mention, the northern border of the national park actually cuts right through Rainy Lake, which hugs the Canadian border! In fact, around 70% of Rainy Lake is located in Ontario, while only 30% is in Minnesota.
Awkwardly, it’s quite easy to accidentally cross the border while boating around Rainy Lake… which I may or may not know from friends and family doing this.
Ever thought about visiting Glacier National Park? These 32 photos of this gorgeous national park in the fall will inspire you to! Check out the blog post here.
Anywho, there’s something magical Voyageurs National Park — especially when houseboating around the lakes, which is how my family explores this off-the-beaten-path destination in Minnesota.
Waking up in the morning to the sound of nothing but the carefree chirps of birds and the soft lapping of water on the lakeshore.
Sitting around the fire with friends and family, drinking a cold beer and listening to the relaxing crackle of the flames.
Paddle-boarding across a calm lake with the Minnesota summer sun warming — or should I say scorching — the skin. Every so often, a bald eagle (that’s as big as a toddler) gracefully glides across the water and takes your breath away.
In the evening, as the sun slips behind the lush pine trees, the sky lights up in a fiery array of every shade of orange, red, and pink, creating one of the most beautiful sunsets ever seen.
And as darkness comes down all around you, the nighttime sky is illuminated with thousands of stars and the glowing milky way.
Every few minutes or so, a shooting star races across the heavens and, if you’re like me, you make a silent wish with the small hope of it coming true.
(Side note: this remote national park boasts one of the darkest night skies in the country! Zero light pollution to be found. How cool is that?)
If you can’t tell, Voyageurs National Park is one of my favorite places on earth.
Its deep serenity fills my soul and overflows my cup, restoring my sanity and sweeping away the stress of living in an over-stimulating, often hectic world.
Ever thought of visiting Sedona, Arizona? With a gorgeous red rocks landscape, stunning views, and awesome hiking trails, it should be on your bucket list! Check out these 5 mind-blowing hikes in Sedona to get inspired.
If you’re looking for a unique getaway and a must-needed refresh, I can’t recommend Voyageurs National Park more.
It holds a special place in my heart, especially with the never-ending memories I have of exploring it with close friends and family.
(Some of which are a bit foggy… thanks to one too many Leinenkugel beers and refreshing summer shandys on a hot Minnesota summer day.)
But I digress, whether you’re into kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, star-gazing, or just simply relaxing on the pristine lakes, soaking up the utterly peaceful atmosphere of Voyageurs National Park, this is the place for you.
Tell me, are you inspired to visit Voyageurs National Park for yourself? Have you ever thought (or heard) of exploring this underrated national park before? Share in the comments below!
Sophie xx
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