Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits
Voyageurs National Park is a land and water environment of great beauty, exceptional natural and cultural resources, and abundant recreation opportunities. Located in the lake country of northern Minnesota, the park protects 218,054 acres that include roughly 134,000 acres of forest, 84,000 acres of water, 655-miles of undeveloped shoreline, and hundreds of islands. The park's 55-mile northern boundary is the international border between the United States and Canada and includes an important segment of the "transcontinental highway" traversed by French-Canadian voyageurs during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
The rocks tell the oldest story here. Lying in the southern portion of the Canadian Shield, the bedrock of Voyageurs National Park is 2.8 billion years old, some of the oldest exposed rock in the world. Younger rock formations do not appear here. Perhaps they never existed; but more likely a series of glaciers removed them. Those glaciers, more than a mile high, also scoured out the lake and river beds and set the stage for vast forests.
To experience the natural splendor of Voyageurs National Park, visitors must set out by water, much as the Voyageurs did centuries ago. The park includes four major lakes -- Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, and twenty-six smaller inland lakes that together make up more than a third of the total park area. The inland lakes are primarily found on the Kabetogama Peninsula; Voyageurs' largest landmass that can be reached by water in summer or over the ice in winter.
There are four distinct seasons in Voyageur country. The air is temperate during the frost free-season of June to mid-September, when periods of fine, warm weather prevail, followed by a cool, colorful fall. The first measurable snowfall is in late October and the last in late April or early May. The average ice-out date is May 3, but varies yearly. Annual precipitation averages 25-28 inches of rain and snow, and average snowfall ranges from 55-70 inches, but is highly variable.
The park offers more than 52 miles of hiking trails and more than 290 designated campsites, houseboat sites, and day use sites. There is no permit needed for day use within park boundaries.
Houseboats staying overnight in the park from May 1 through October 31 are required to obtain an overnight permit from Recreation.gov. It is recommended to moor overnight at any of the park's 97 developed houseboat sites, which offer a fire ring and mooring aids. Fires are only permitted in metal fire rings provided.
Keep Voyageurs National Park Wild for Future Generations: The Voyageurs Conservancy is the park's official nonprofit partner representing a community of people who care about the ongoing stewardship of Voyageurs National Park. VNPA works to fund projects and programs that will help sustain the park's waters, wild character, and visitor experience for generations to come. Become a member today, follow them on Facebook and Instagram , or sign up for their e-newsletter .
Notifications and Alerts
Houseboat sites closed through July 31, 2023 for bald eagle nesting:
- N50 Junction Bay North on Namakan Lake
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows you to stay overnight in a houseboat, cabin cruiser or sail boat within Voyageurs National Park. A houseboat is defined as a registered vessel that contains sleeping facilities, cooking facilities and a no-discharge toilet.
Permits are required for houseboat overnight stays from May 1 through October 31 and become available November 15 of each year for the following summer season. Permit holders must print and display the permit on the rear of their boat when staying in the park. The maximum stay in the park is 14 consecutive days and no more than 30 days in a calendar year.
Need to Know
Houseboat Definition: A houseboat is defined as a registered vessel that contains sleeping facilities, cooking facilities and a no-discharge toilet. Cabin cruisers and sailboats with the required facilities fit into the definition of a houseboat. If vessel doesn’t meet these requirements, you must reserve and stay at a developed campsite.
Overnight Use: Houseboats staying overnight in the park from May 1 through October 31 are required to attain a reservation/permit on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Permits:
- Permit holders must print and post their permit on the rear of the houseboat when staying in the park.
- Permits may be printed at the time of purchase, however, once a permit is printed, changes and cancellations are not allowed. Be certain of your plans before printing your permit.
- Permits are required to be posted on the rear of your houseboat. Rangers may check your permit for compliance.
- Permit holders must be 18 years of age or older.
- Group size restrictions are set by the Coast Guard based on the vessel you are using.
Entrance Locations: There are multiple ways to enter the park. However, the National Park Service offers three designated boat launch ramps for visitors at the Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Ash River Visitor Centers.
Mooring:
- A limit of two houseboats may moor overnight at developed houseboat sites that are designated with a houseboat symbol, or on undeveloped shoreline as long as they are at least 200 yards from any developed campsite, houseboat site, day use site or structure.
- Houseboats may not stay overnight in a designated campsite, day use site, or at any of the docks in the park.
- Houseboats can moor at the designated group campsites, provided a camping permit for that site is obtained in addition to the required houseboat permit.
Length of Stay: The maximum stay in the park is 14 consecutive days and no more than 30 days in a calendar year, except at group campsites where the maximum stay is seven days.
Bear Safety: All items with an odor such as food, trash and toiletries must be stored inside the houseboat.
Food & Trash:
- Do not burn food or trash in fire rings.
- Food and trash of any kind must be stored on the houseboat until packed out.
Campfires & Firewood:
- It is recommended to bring firewood with you that is purchased from an approved Minnesota Department of Ag vendor and has a tag with the vendor's information on it.
- Fires are allowed in metal fire rings only at designated houseboat sites. At undeveloped sites, use only well-established rock rings or fire pans. Do not build rock rings.
- No cutting of standing trees, living or dead. Permit holders may collect dead AND downed wood only.
- No chainsaws are allowed.
Pets:
- Pets must be on a leash no greater than 6' and attended at all times.
- Pets are permitted only at park designated sites that are within 100' of a shoreline on Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan or Sand Point Lakes.
- Pets are not allowed on any park trails, except for the paved Recreation Trail at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Cell Phones & Emergencies:
- Cell phone coverage is spotty within park boundaries.
- Rangers and some area businesses monitor marine channel 16.
Park Operating & Quiet Hours:
- The park is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
- Visitor centers typically operate between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from May 15 through September 15.
- Quiet hours in the park are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Be considerate to other visitors by:
- Respecting quiet hours.
- Not burning trash or food in fire rings.
- Not leaving litter behind.
- Leaving the site in the condition you would like to find it in.
View a complete list of Voyageurs National Park rules and regulations.
Remember: You must print your permit before you enter the park. For any changes or cancellations to your reservation, contact Recreation.gov.
Fee Policy
Houseboat Overnight Recreation Fee: $15 per houseboat per night
Reservation Fee: There is a $10 non-refundable reservation fee per transaction
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- The $10 reservation service fee for your Voyageurs National Park permit is non-refundable.
- If you cancel your reservation prior to printing the permit, you will receive a refund of the overnight houseboat fees, minus the non-refundable reservation fee.
- If you cancel your reservation after your permit has been printed, no refund is available.
- Cancellations must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Change Policy
- No modifications or rufunds are allowed once a permit has been printed, so be certain of your plans before printing.
- Prior to printing your permit, a change to the group size is allowed at any time. Increasing or decreasing the group size will not incur additional fees.
- To change the start date of your trip, you must cancel your current reservation and make a new reservation.
- Changes can only be made by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777
Contact Information
Mailing Address
360 Hwy 11 East International Falls MN 56649
Phone Number
218-283-6600
