The Rendezvous Your Guide to 2018

Contents

Superintendent's Hiking...... 3 Welcome...... 1 Houseboats...... 3 Voyageurs Diversity...... 2 Paddling the Park...... 3 Camping...... 3 Visitor Destinations...... 4 Photo: Steve Brown, Top 10 Things to Know...... 4 VNPA Photo Contest Entry

Welcome to the Park Facilities: North Woods! Park Administration Building A land of water, species, moose, gray wolves, bald eagles, loons, 360 Highway 11 East woods, stone and sky. and black bear. International Falls, MN 56649 Established in 1975, (218) 283-6600 Voyageurs National The is the lead Open year round Park preserves and steward of the lands and waters that make up Hours of Operation M-F protects a landscape . However, protecting 8:00 am-4:00 pm reminiscent to what this place and providing opportunities early French-Canadian men would to explore and enjoy the park takes the have experienced as they traversed the Visitor Center assistance of many partners. These include International Falls, MN region, eventually opening what is now the residents and businesses of our gateway Open year round with reduced winter the northwestern United States to further communities that provide a wealth of guest hours, call for the latest information European development. services; the Voyageurs National Park (218) 286-5258 Association that helps support park projects Not only does the park preserve a portion such as maintaining trails and developing of the route of the voyageurs, it also holds the new Rainy Lake Visitor Center canoe Kabetogama evidence of 10,000 years of human activity. launch; and a variety of partner agencies that Lake Visitor While exploring the park, visitors can work cooperatively to assure the health of Center experience the whole timeline of history the numerous resources within the park. A Kabetogama, in the area -- from the Indians and national park is truly a collaborative effort. MN voyageurs, to the stories of miners, loggers, and early settlers. All of them depended on Open in While exploring the park, enjoy the sounds summer the land as many continue to do so today with and sights of this spectacular place. Connect (218) 875-2111 development of resorts that cater to tourists with the solitude and adventure that nature seeking escape and solace in the tranquil can provide. Additionally, do your part to setting of the North Woods. assure you leave the area a little better than Ash River Visitor Center you found it. We all play a role in the on-going Ash River, MN Along with the human stories of the region, the protection of the area so that future visitors Open in summer park encompasses 218,000 acres which include can enjoy it as you are today. (218) 374-3221 134,000 acres of forested woodlands, 84,000 acres of water, and 645 miles of undeveloped Enjoy your North Woods adventure, I hope it Crane Lake Ranger Station shoreline. The woods and waters of the park will be a memorable one. Crane Lake, MN maintain a biologically rich system of plant and Open when available animal life where one can discover 230 bird -Bob DeGross (218) 993-2481 Superintendent, Voyageurs National Park Your 2018 Guide to Voyageurs National Park Voyageurs - The Diversity of this National Park A Vast Ecosystem Rocks, Ridges,

Imagine walking through a forest been identified within and Gold mixed with golden colored the park. Boreal forest Voyageurs National Park is tamarack or under a canopy of species are most one of the few places in North aspens and maples displaying an abundant, occupying America where you can see array of red, gold, and yellow about seventy percent and touch rocks half the age of leaves. This is Voyageurs. of the park. Photo: Jay Iversen, the Earth. VNPA Photo Contest Imagine following the smell of Quaking aspen The exposed rock you see all as you walk along rock dominates the forest around you is the southern covered ridges. This is Voyageurs. with other species including birch, black bears, eagles, ravens, and edge of the volcanic bedrock pine, , and balsam . common loons. Imagine seeing a fox scurrying by that forms the core of the continent and is from the birth while hearing the call of a loon or Within this abundant diversity of Voyageurs also hosts more than of North America. the howl of a wolf. This is the northern forest, 240 neotropical bird species who Voyageurs National Park. wildlife abounds. either live in or migrate through At one time, massive, the park. explosive volcanoes The park lies in a transition zone Many animals characteristic deposited layer after layer of between the boreal forests to the of the North Woods are found Pick up a Plant and Animal ash and lava. Subsequent north and deciduous forests to here, including moose, white- Checklist at any park uplifting, folding, tremendous the south. tailed deer, gray wolves, foxes, visitor center to record pressure, and superheating coyotes, lynx, bobcats, , your discoveries. Nearly 700 species of plants have created igneous and . The Over time, erosion wore down the volcanic mountain range The waterways of Voyageurs and the ice ages brought include an important segment glaciers that moved rivers of of a 3,000-mile fur trade route ice and scoured away the of the late 18th and early younger rock layers. 19th centuries. This action exposed the roots The driving force behind the fur of the ancient mountains - the trade was a demand for hats— granite, migmatite, and biotite hats desired by schist you see today. fashionable Europeans. As the glaciers receded, As the fur trade expanded, it torrents of melted water relied on the voyageurs, or filled low-lying areas, French-Canadian canoemen, creating the lakes and bogs of to muscle trade goods and furs today's landscape. between and the Photo: Taylor Smith, VNPA Photo Contest Canadian northwest. Today, the oldest rock in the park tells a recent human The voyageurs in turn, relied on story. Fault zones in exposed native peoples for furs, guide 2.8-billion-year-old services, clothing, food, greenstone revealed gold and medicine. embedded in quartz veins. The route of these voyageurs The discovery sparked a shaped the international short-lived gold rush and boundary between the US and boomtown in the 1890s. Many Photo: William Archer, , and the legacy of these of the newcomers stayed for VNPA Photo Contest voyageurs inspired the naming Water good, and their descendents of this national park. live in the region today. Everywhere From supporting the life and Voyageurs is a water-based park Water leaving Rainy Lake flows to culture of Native Americans, to where to truly experience the the Rainy River and then to Lake supplying resources for the fur park, visitors must leave their cars of the Woods, which in turn flows trade, commercial fishing, gold mining, and timber and tourism A Story Written in the Rocks behind and travel by watercraft. to the River. Ultimately, The Geology of Voyageurs National Park the system drains to industries, the interconnected The park lies in the 14,900-square- to the north. waterway system of this area mile Rainy Lake basin. About has influenced the movement of seventy percent of the basin lies Lake levels in the park’s four main people for thousands of years. within Ontario, Canada and thirty lakes are controlled by a dam percent in . crossing the international border Written by Chris B. Hemstad at Fort Frances, Ontario Canada The general direction of water and International Falls, MN, as flow through the four main lakes well as dams at Kettle Falls and To learn more about the park's in the park (Rainy, Kabetogama, geological features purchase a Squirrel Falls on Namakan Lake. copy of A Story Written in the Namakan, and Sand Point) Rocks at any park visitor center. is northwesterly.

2 Your 2018 Guide to Voyageurs National Park Hiking Voyageurs Paddlecraft Rental The North Woods by Foot Visitors wanting to experience the park in a more remote and quiet sport For the well-prepared, trail map and the most such as canoeing or kayaking may do hiking in Voyageurs National up-to-date information so in a multitude of ways. Park can be a wonderful about trail conditions. experience. Trails range from Watercraft Rentals on the short, easy walks to overnight Don't forget about Major Lakes trips. Some trails are the Hike-to-Health accessible by car, while others Program. To get are only accessible by boat. started, pick up a Voyageurs National Park does not rent No matter where you choose Trails Passport at any watercraft for use on the park's major to hike in the park, visit a park of the park's lakes. However, local outfitters offer visitor center to get a free visitor centers. this service. For a list of rental providers, visit: www.nps.gov/ More information about hiking in Voyageurs can be found at: voyagetinvolved/commercial-services. https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/hiking-trails.htm htm

Watercraft Rentals on the Camping in Voyageurs Kabetogama Peninsula

Experience the solitude of a remote A Night Under the Stars backcountry lake on the Kabetogama Peninsula without having to a Camping is one of the best ways to experience Voyageurs National Park. watercraft. All campsites in the park require advanced reservations and are only accessible by boat. See the camping page on the park's website for more information at: https://www.nps.gov/voya/ Voyageurs provides and/or planyourvisit/tent-camping.htm rowboats on several backcountry lakes for a small fee. A few things to keep in How do I make a reservation? mind when visiting the Peninsula. • Online at www.recreation.gov. When Photo: John Young, • Reservations are required through making an online reservation: under VNPA Photo Contest www.recreaton.gov for boat rentals "Search" enter "Voyageurs National Park and camping Camping Permits." • Keys for the boat rentals must be • Fees are charged to manage the picked up at a visitor center prior reservation/fee system, maintain the to departure campsites, and to offer new or continue • The Peninsula can only be existing visitor services. accessed by water, so you will need to use your own boat or reserve a For those who do not have a water taxi service to access the watercraft, the following campgrounds trails that lead to the park's boats are accessible by car or RV: • Watercrafts on the Peninsula are • Woodenfrog State Forest Campground located on the following lakes: • Ash River State Forest Campground Locator, War Club, Loiten, Quill, Ek, Cruiser, Little Shoepack, Information about these campgrounds, both Shoepack, and Brown of which are managed by the Minnesota • To prevent the spread of the Spiny Department of Natural Resources, can be found at: Water Flea, interim park http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00027/index.html regulations do not allow you to bring your own watercraft onto the Peninsula.

Houseboating is one way to get out to In order to obtain a “Houseboat Permit”, Houseboating explore the solitude of Voyageurs National visitors' vessel must have all of the Park but still have the amenities of home following: at your finger tips. All houseboat rentals • on-board sleeping facilities are commercially operated by companies • cooking and food storage facilities located just outside the park boundaries. • a no-discharge toilet.

“Houseboat Permits” are required for If the vessel does not include all of these overnight stays. Houseboats include on-board facilities then visitors must get commercial and private Houseboats, cabin an Overnight Frontcountry “Camping cruisers, and sailboats. Permit" and camp in a designated tent site.

Houseboat Permits are available at www. Photo: Mike Therrien, recreation.gov or the call center at VNPA Photo Contest (877) 444-6777.

3 Your 2018 Guide to Voyageurs National Park Visitor Destinations

Are you looking for a destination to visit by boat within Voyageurs National Park where you can learn more about the natural or cultural history of this dynamic place? There are many designated Visitor Destination sites throughout the park. These destinations can be reached only by boat and provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the park and its significance.

Here are some Visitor Destinations Sites to consider visiting: • Ellsworth Rock Gardens • Hoist Bay • Kettle Falls • I.W. Stevens • Little American Island • Anderson Bay

Photo: Kristin Tossey, Visit a park visitor center for more information about Voyageurs VNPA Photo Contest National Park Visitor Destinations. Top 10 Things to Know When Visiting Voyageurs National Park:

1) Voyageurs is a water-based park. Thirty-eight percent of its surface is covered with water. To really experience the park you need to get out on the water. Bring your own boat, find a rental or go on a ranger-guided boat tour. The ranger-guided boat tour schedule can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/guided-tours.htm.

2) Camping in Voyageurs is a one-of-a-kind experience. You need a boat to access all campsites and also need a camping permit reservation. Information about camping reservations can be found at https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/camping.htm.

3) We need your help in protecting this special place! Please don’t aid the spread of invasive species. Only Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) certified pest free firewood is allowed. Make sure to clean and dry your boat to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species like spiny water flea. More information about exotic, invasive species can be found at: http://dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index.html

4) Fishing Voyageurs’ waters can be great, but please follow the MN DNR regulations for border waters. For more information: http://dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html.

5) Help protect the wild animals that call Voyageurs home. Use the bear-proof food lockers when camping and keep a clean campsite or picnic area. More information can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/bears-and-food-storage.htm

6) Leashed and attended pets are welcome in campsites and developed areas. Please clean up after your pet. You may hike with pets on the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail. More information about pet regulations can be found at: Photo: Kerry Jacobsen, VNPA Photo Contest https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/pets.htm.

7) The water sure looks refreshing, but please don’t drink it. The water in the park’s lakes may contain traces of contaminants or harmful algae blooms that can make you or your pet sick. More informationcan be found at: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/blue-green-algae-and-harmful-algal-blooms.

8) In winter Voyageurs becomes like a different world. Snow and ice conditions vary from day to day. For the latest winter trail conditions visit the park’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/VoyageursNPS.

9) is the only lodging within Voyageurs National Park. It is only accessible by boat. Other lodging can be found just outside the park. For a complete list of lodging options, visit: www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/lodging.htm.

10) Thinking of visiting Canada? Visit http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/gbi-rgf-eng.html for more information.

Publication of The Rendezvous has been made possible by support from these partners. Visit them online at: www.rainylake.org www.voyageurs.org

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