Beginning May 18, 2020, Voyageurs National Park will reopen access for overnight tent camping and houseboat mooring sites.
Day use and water access to Voyageurs National Park remains open to visitors year-round, with no entrance fee. The public can fish with a current State license; normal seasons and regulations apply. Please ensure your camping and houseboat permits are printed before arriving to the park. There will be no facility at the park to print your permit.
The decision to reopen overnight use was made following guidance from the White House, CDC, and state and local public health authorities. The safety of park staff and the public is of utmost importance.
Voyageurs National Park is working closely with the NPS Office of Public Health, using CDC guidance to ensure public spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners and volunteers. Visitors are expected to follow local health orders, Leave No Trace principles, avoid high-risk activities, and maintain proper social distance.
Superintendent Bob DeGross stated, “We encourage people to remain mindful of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ safe outdoor recreation guidelines. This is a time when we need to be mindful of each other’s safety. At the park, the safety of our employees, the gateway communities, and visitors is paramount. If we were to open and see activities that present a management issue that puts safety in jeopardy, we would reconsider our operational stance and implement closures to mitigate for that risk.”
Although visitors can enjoy overnight tent camping and houseboating starting May18, several operational changes and limitations remain in place to ensure social distancing and proper public health measures. The NPS is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and use a phased approach to increase access to the park. For a full list of park operations visit the park’s website and voyageurs.org/visitorinfo.
Thank you for protecting the park and others. We are excited for a safe, healthy camping season!
