Free Junior Ranger workbooks can be picked up at Rainy River, Kabetogoma and Ash River Visitor Centers to help kids delve into the park's fur-trading and natural history. Activities range from quizzes on trading (one beaver pelt could buy an ax) and trying on voyageur clothing to catching a naturalist program or heading on a hike. Completed booklets earn the kids a free plastic ranger badge and cool patch.
Visitor centers also loan out six different Discovery Packs with guidebooks, activities and sometimes binoculars to help families learn about the voyageurs and fur trade, plants and animals or geology.
Voyageurs National Park Attractions
Voyageurs National Park Attractions
 | Junior Ranger Program 3131 Highway 53 International Falls, MN • 218-283-6600 Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12) |
 | North Canoe Voyages Voyageurs National Park, MN • 888-381-2873 Families on a budget who want kids to have a unique on-the-water experience can sign up for a chance to paddle a 26-foot voyageur-style North Canoe. The free program teaches paddling skills, voyageur history and voyageur salutes while gliding across the lakes. Rangers offer this program from all three visitor centers: Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake and Ash River. Kids need to be 5 years old to participate. Check the park newspaper or web site for schedules. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Tour Boats & Naturalist programs 3131 Highway 53 International Falls, MN • 877-444-6777 All ages can hop aboard the Voyageur at Rainy Lake or the Otter at Kabetogama Lake and Ash River for naturalist-led boat tours of the parks. Among the most popular destinations: a lunch (or bring-your-own-picnic) at Kettle Falls Hotel, a former gold mine, commercial fishing camp and a chance to spot bald eagles. There also are sunset cruises and a starwatch tour to talk about constellations and possible see northern lights. Tours are $15 to $65 per person. Infants 2 and under are free. Free evening programs and special speakers also are scheduled at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center's campfire ring and the Wooden Frog campground near Kabetogoma. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Winter Recreation Voyageurs National Park, MN A truly northern experience is taking the seven-mile Rainy Lake Ice Road from the visitor center to Cranberry Bay and staking out an ice-fishing spot in a heated icehouse. The hum of snowmobiles replaces boat motors as they zip across wide-open lakes or on the hundreds of miles of forested trails. Trail conditions are reported weekly on the park's web site. There also are cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. The Rainy Lake Visitors Center rents skis, loans snowshoes, keeps a fireplace stoked and offers hot cocoa. Winter naturalists present several family-friendly programs with topics such as making snowshoes, going on a full-moon hike or learning about bears and wolves. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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