Land of 10,000 Lakes and Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park: Boats, Beauty, and Barely Any People (My Kind of National Park)

If you’ve ever dreamt of exploring a national park by boat, where the crowds are minimal, the scenery is next-level stunning, and your cell service quietly dies so your brain can finally rest — welcome to Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota’s watery wonderland.

First, Let’s Talk Minnesota: Land of 10,000 Lakes

Minnesota really leans into the “we’ve got water” branding, and honestly? Minnesota surprised me. Its gorgeous. The state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes — though fun fact: it’s actually more like 11,842

Voyageurs takes that water obsession and says:
What if… an entire national park was mostly lake?

Getting There: Remote But Worth It

Let’s just say this isn’t a quick stop off the interstate. Voyageurs is tucked way up near the Canadian border, and you’ll need to commit to the journey. There are very few hotels nearby (shoutout to the three motels and one inn keeping the dream alive), so plan ahead unless you like the thrill of last-minute “will I sleep in the car?” gambling. I stayed in one of the three motels and it was fine, but its no Grand Hyatt. There is not a whole lot going on in the town besides a few places to eat and probably a Dollar General.

Book the Boat Tour — Trust Me

Unless you happen to own a boat, your best bet to really see the park is to book a guided boat tour through the visitor center. I did just that, and it was the perfect mix of chill exploration and “wow, this is a real postcard” moments.

You glide through the interconnected lakes, past dense pine forests and rocky islands that look untouched by time. Bald eagles make surprise cameos. The water is so clear you start questioning your life choices every time you’ve gone to a crowded beach.

The guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and very good at steering while answering 37 questions from excited visitors. Bless them. However, ours left the steering up to fate to show us the elusive black bear.

The boat tour included one get off the boat stop. The ranger led hike around Little American Island was a fun opportunity to stretch your legs and learn more about the park.

The Best Part? It Wasn’t Crowded.

This is not Yellowstone. This is not Yosemite.
This is peace.

There were moments on the lake when we didn’t see a single other boat — just miles of pristine nature, loons calling in the distance, and me trying (and failing) to take it all in without crying like a sentimental baby raccoon.

If you’re looking for a national park that gives you room to breathe — literally and metaphorically — Voyageurs is your place.

Pro Tips for Your Own Voyage(ur):

Book lodging early. The options are few and fill up fast in summer.
Bug spray. This is northern Minnesota. You’re basically the snack bar unless you prepare.
Bring layers. It’s that “I need a hoodie at 9am and sunscreen at noon” vibe.
Don’t skip the visitor center. Great info, nice staff, and clean bathrooms. A triple win.

Final Thoughts

I came to Voyageurs expecting lakes and left completely obsessed.
There’s something about floating through silence, miles from the nearest Starbucks, that makes you feel deeply connected to the planet again.

It’s not flashy. It’s not packed with influencers taking selfies on cliff edges.
It’s pure, quiet, wild beauty. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

~Kel