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Things To DO

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Things to Do: Ash River & Voyageurs National Park

The Ash River / Voyageurs National Park area is a four-season destination with countless ways to explore the water, trails, and wildlife.

On the Water

Water is the main focus here. Fish hundreds of miles of shoreline and islands, cruise to the Kettle Falls Dam or Crane Lake for lunch, visit the Ellsworth Rock Gardens, travel upriver to view dramatic rock cliffs on your way to Ash River Falls, or take a sunset cruise.

Weather & Seasons

Our weather is extreme—extremely nice!

  • Summer: Warm days and cool nights. It might rain—pack rain gear.
  • Fall: Crisp temps, lots of sun, and gorgeous colors.
  • Winter: Cold, which is exactly what you want.

Visitor Centers

  • Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center — Open daily, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, May 8–September 30.
  • Ash River Visitor Center — Open daily, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, May 7–September 30. Enjoy hiking trails through pine forest with spectacular views of Kabetogama Lake.

Highlights & Attractions

  • Historic Kettle Falls Hotel & Dam — Stand at the international border and look south into Canada. Visit the dam, the 1912 dam tender’s cabin, and the 1912 Kettle Falls Hotel.
  • The Ellsworth Rock Gardens — On the Kabetogama Peninsula across from Cutover Island. Features a new picnic area and dock access to explore rock sculptures created by Jack Ellsworth (1940s–1960s).
  • Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary — See wild bears in their natural habitat up close. Near Orr, MN. Don’t forget your camera!
  • Bog Walk — At the Voyageurs National Park & Orr Area Information Center. Open daily year-round. Walk through a bog without getting your feet wet (access from Highway 53 in Orr).
  • Soudan Underground Mine Tours & State Park — Near Tower, MN. Open daily in summer, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM.
  • International Wolf Center — Ely, MN.

Area Golf

Gateway to Namakan, Kabetogama & Rainy Lakes

AshKaNam is located at the junction of the Ash River and Kabetogama and Namakan Lakes. This is the nation’s only water-based national park, situated along the US/Canadian border in Minnesota, with access to over 1,000 miles of shoreline and thousands of acres of clean, cool water—right from our front door.

Getting Here

AshKaNam is 145 miles north of Duluth, MN via US Highway 53.