As with any natural scenic spot, it’s important to factor in the time and conditions before you go visit Voyageurs National Park. In this article, we will discuss the best time to visit this magnificent park and what to consider.
Fall is the ideal season to explore Voyageurs National Park. The park’s shoreline and pathways are blazing with spectacular fall reds, yellows, and oranges, and the rush and bustle of houseboat boating and fishing in the warmer months have long since subsided. At Voyageurs, fall is a visual treat but act quickly because it only lasts a very short time in this region, which is the coldest in the entire country.
Keep reading below for more information.
Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park
The best time to visit Voyageurs National Park is in the fall when the trees change color, and the temperatures cool off, even though it is open to tourists throughout the year. By doing this, you may enjoy the magnificent greenery that covers the entire park while seeing birds and other creatures. Do a handful of these activities during your fall visit to Voyageurs National Park:
Reserve a Room at the Kettle Falls Hotel
This hotel from the early 1900s, situated above the eponymous falls, offers meals and lodging in a vintage setting.
Visit a Boating Site
You may pick how long you spend on boat trips in Voyageurs National Park, which take you to nearly all of the main sights. There are intervals of 1.5 to 6.5 hours.
Appreciate the Foliage
Nowhere else in Minnesota, or at least not against such a breathtakingly stunning setting, can you find more bright natural hues.
Different Seasons in Voyageurs National Park
In this section, we will discuss the different seasons in Voyageurs National Park.
Voyageurs National Park in the Spring
The lakes in Voyageurs start to thaw as the snowmelt turns to slush in the springtime. The lengthy days of summer, filled with boating, fishing, hiking, and campfires, are gradually replacing winter’s cold hold on the park. Few people will come to this location in the spring, as most will wait for summer’s nicer weather and more possibilities.
The yearly bird migration back up north begins in the spring. The bald eagles of Rainy Lake are the first to appear. They show up before the ice has melted. The loons return and start courting as soon as the ice in the bays has broken.
The loons construct their nests between mid- and late June, and the young are born two weeks or so after the eggs are put in the nests. Visitors in the spring can also take pleasure in the songbirds’ squawking.
In March, the park will have lows in the 30s; by June, it will reach the middle 40s, with highs ranging from 51 to 74 degrees.
Voyageurs National Park in the Summer
Voyageurs enjoy excellent weather, more daylight hours, and a wealth of leisure possibilities throughout the summer. The lakes and campgrounds are dotted with houseboats, and fishermen throw their lines from tiny boats at their preferred locations. Kayakers and canoeists navigate the rivers, and bald eagles soar in the sky.
Visit Rainy Lake in July to see the young down-feathered loons riding on their parents’ backs. Otters are noted to dig through minnow buckets left connected to personal watercraft and are lively animals that may be seen all summer long.
Deer may also be observed calmly browsing along the lake’s shoreline, making them one of the animal species that can be found most commonly in Voyageurs National Park. The deer give birth towards the end of July, and their young outgrow their nests by the end of the summer.
Sadly, summer also brings ticks, biting flies, and mosquitoes in many regions with extensive vegetation. Dress accordingly and apply a good repellent for a pleasurable and mostly bug-free excursion.
Voyageurs National Park in the Fall
The best time to visit Voyageurs National Park is in the fall when the commotion of house boating and fishing in the summer has subsided. The park’s shoreline and trails are bright with lovely autumnal colors.
Fewer people will be around at this time of year, but you’ll still have all the summertime options and the gorgeous fall foliage. With the exception of the occasional passing fisherman or loon sound, the vast lakes in the park are tranquil and silent.
The lakes’ quiet waters mirror sunrises and sunsets, while at night, the northern lights dance overhead. Fall in Voyageurs lasts for a very short period of time, so plan your schedule accordingly.
Voyageurs National Park in the Winter
Winter is the most prevalent season in the extreme north, where the park is located, so it arrives early and lasts late. Temperatures often drop well below zero in this region of the continental U.S., with a historical low of -55 degrees Fahrenheit.
When wind chills are taken into account, the already very cold temperatures drop to unprecedented, mind-boggling levels. While the Voyageurs’ winters are not for the faint of heart, they may be spectacular with the right preparation and equipment. Large lakes in the park freeze over and turn into roadways for snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and the mysterious but active wolf packs.
Ice-fishing, a popular winter activity, has miniature huts dotting the frozen lakes. Basically, these are ice homes where you may remain warm while awaiting a meal. Voyageurs in the winter is a place of extremes, and the park is transformed, offering completely new opportunities to discover and find joy in this one-of-a-kind location.
Best Season to Camp at Voyageurs
A reasonable high and low temperature are essential for ideal camping weather in Voyageurs. This is because it will reduce the margin for error when determining what sort of equipment to carry and how much clothing will be required.
Much less consideration will need to be paid to what type of clothing you will be carrying when the temperatures at Voyageurs are somewhat warm.
For more information on camping at Voyageurs, watch this video below:
Camping At Voyageurs National Park (Tent Camping On An Island)
More clothing, planning, and packing will be required as soon as the temperature drops or has a broader spectrum. The temperature may be rather pleasant during the day, but when the sun sets, it can drop dramatically and even get dangerously low.
You should be ready with layers of warm clothes that you may add as necessary in that scenario and any other situation when it is chilly. When the weather is consistently comfortable, you will need fewer clothes and fewer belongings.
Conclusion
Voyageurs is a magnificent national park open to the public all year round with beautiful views in every corner. Fall, however, brings beautiful foliage that enhances the overall awe factor of the park. So, make sure to visit in the fall to appreciate its full beauty.