Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

 
Park staff hold a rock hazard buoy while wearing a yellow rain jacket and standing in the front of a boat
Jarod Jazenski picking up a rock hazard buoy marker in 2014

NPS

Boating Safety Notices

Starting as early as October 5, 2026, Voyageurs National Park staff will begin the seasonal removal of the buoys used as hazard markers and secondary aids to navigation within the park. Work will begin on Rainy Lake before moving to the Namakan Basin, including Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes.

The exact timing of removal activities will depend on weather conditions and other operational factors. During this same period, United States Coast Guard (USCG) Lamplighters will be removing primary navigational aids throughout the park.

Boaters and other lake users should be aware that navigation aids will be removed progressively over the next couple of weeks. Please use caution while traveling on park waters and remain alert to the possibility that navigational buoys and hazard markers may be absent.

During the winter months, when snow covers the landscape and lakes freeze, this page also provides current conditions for snowmobile trails, cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and ice roads.

 

Last Updated: October 1, 2026

Increased Bear Activity and Campsite Closures

Voyageurs National Park is reminding visitors to be bear aware and follow food-storage requirements as bear activity increases in the park. All 17 campsites, houseboat (HB) sites, and day use sites on Dryweed Island and nearby surrounding islands will remain closed through the end of October 2026 due to continued bear activity.

The closure impacts the following campsites:

  • R6 - Breakwater Cove campsite
  • R11 - Dryweed Island campsite
  • R44 - Harrison Bay HB site
  • R53 - Makinen Point campsite
  • R61 - Harrison Bay campsite
  • R64 - Mio Beach campsite
  • R67 - Stones Point campsite
  • R71 - Loon Cove campsite
  • R72 - Rock Shelf campsite
  • R73 - Dryweed Island North campsite
  • R75 - Harrison Bay SW HB site
  • R76 - Harrison Bay SE HB site
  • R82 - Dryweed Island S HB site
  • R93 - Lyle Mine Island campsite
  • R101 - Tango Channel campsite
  • R100 - Channel View campsite
  • R107 - Harrison Bay E day use


For more information on bear safety and food storage requirements, visit our Bear and Food Storage page. For all current campsite closure information, check our Permits & Reservations page.

Fire Danger and Burning Restrictions

Effective August 24, 2026 the parkwide campfire ban has been lifted. Due to cooler weather and a lower risk of wildfire the National Park Service is lifting the elevated fire restrictions, which reflects the changes made by the U.S. Forest Service in the Superior National Forest and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Visitors to Voyageurs National Park may once again enjoy recreational fires (campfires) in designated metal fire rings. Charcoal-fueled fires in metal fire rings and grills are also permitted.

Despite the lower wildfire risk across the region, fall is typically a dry season in Minnesota, and drought conditions continue throughout much of the state. Visitors should continue to use caution to reduce the risk of wildfire and minimize the impacts of campfires. Campfires should never be left unattended. To extinguish a campfire, drown it thoroughly with water, then stir the ashes and coals until they are cold to the touch.

To see the current fire danger and restrictions in effect for the region, check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) webpage.

 

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Last updated: October 1, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Voyageurs National Park Headquarters
360 Hwy 11 East
International Falls, MN 56649

Phone:

(218)-283-6600

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