Voyageurs Tours by Private Captain and Boat

Our tours stand out for their comfort and personal touch. We operate a new 25-foot Avalon Catalina Entertainer tri-toon, which provides a luxurious, comfortable ride. This spacious boat has abundant seating, including a high-top table area that seats up to six people – like having a floating lounge for your group. The open layout gives everyone plenty of room to move around, relax, and enjoy 360° lake views.

In addition, we keep our tours private and pet-friendly. You’re welcome to bring along a well-behaved dog, which is something not all tour companies allow. We also maintain a casual pace throughout the journey. There’s no rushing from point to point; you’ll have time to truly savor the scenery, take photos, and ask questions. Our goal is to provide a high-quality, relaxed experience so you can fully enjoy Voyageurs National Park without feeling hurried.

On our Voyageurs National Park tours, we explore the scenic waters of Lake Kabetogama and Namakan Lake, stopping at a variety of noteworthy locations. Here are some highlights of what you can expect to see on our routes:

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center – One of the park’s visitor centers, located on Lake Kabetogama. It’s a great place to learn about park exhibits, pick up maps, and use facilities before heading back out on the water.
Ellsworth Rock Gardens – A unique hillside garden featuring over 200 hand-built rock sculptures and 62 terraced flower beds . This beautiful site, created by Chicago carpenter Jack Ellsworth between 1944-1965 , is often called the “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama” and offers a great short walk ashore.
Kettle Falls Hotel and Dam – A historic wilderness hotel (built circa 1910) and an adjacent dam that connects Namakan Lake to Rainy Lake. Kettle Falls is only accessible by boat or float plane , making it a special stop where you can step back in time, grab a refreshment at the lodge, and see the famous dam overlook.
I.W. Stevens Island – The site of a 1930s-era resort on Namakan Lake. Here you can glimpse a preserved log cabin, old sauna, and other structures from the early resort days. It’s a fascinating spot for history buffs, showcasing how people vacationed in the park nearly a century ago.
Hoist Bay – A quiet bay with a rich history in the logging era and later resort era. You can still see relics like old pilings from the historic hoist camp and a vintage boathouse and cabins on shore. It’s now a peaceful day-use site where we might dock for a picnic or exploration.
Ash River Visitor Center – Another visitor center, situated on Lake Kabetogama adjacent to the Ash River. This stop offers interesting displays about the park’s natural and cultural history, and it gives you a chance to stretch your legs during longer voyageurs tours.

Each tour’s exact route may vary, but we strive to showcase a mix of natural beauty, wildlife spotting, and historic sites across Voyageurs National Park. If you have particular places you’d like to see, we can often customize the tour to include those as well.

Absolutely. Our guides provide rich historical commentary throughout the tour. As we cruise through the lakes, you’ll learn about the different eras that shaped the Voyageurs area – from ancient geological events that formed the landscape, to the history of the Native American Ojibwe people, the French-Canadian voyageurs (fur traders) who gave the park its name, the logging and gold mining days, and the establishment of the national park. We love sharing stories and facts that bring the past to life, giving you a deeper understanding of what you’re seeing.

In addition to history, we make plenty of time for wildlife viewing. Voyageurs National Park is home to abundant birding and wildlife, and our guides know where to look. We often stop near active bald eagle nests, for example, so you can observe these majestic birds. In spring and early summer, you may even spot fuzzy young eaglets in the nest, which is a real treat! Throughout the tour, keep an eye out for other animals like osprey, herons, deer along the shoreline, or even the occasional bear or elusive moose. We encourage you to bring binoculars and a camera. Rest assured, our tours are conducted at a respectful distance from wildlife, but you’ll still get wonderful opportunities to see and photograph the natural inhabitants of Voyageurs in their element while learning all about them from our guide.

The best way to explore Voyageurs is by water. The park is a chain of interconnected lakes, so most highlights—from Ellsworth Rock Gardens to Kettle Falls—are reached by boat. You can bring your own, rent one locally, or join a guided tour. If you’re staying at The Pines of Kabetogama, our Voyageurs tours depart right from our shoreline for a private, customized experience. With a knowledgeable captain handling the navigation, you’re free to enjoy the scenery, learn the history, and relax on the water.

Summer and early fall are the most popular times to visit. Late May through early September offers warm days, calm water, and excellent fishing and sightseeing conditions. Fall brings quiet lakes and beautiful color. If you hope to see the northern lights, late summer into early October often provides the clearest night skies. The park is open year-round, but most water-based adventures—including tours—are best from late May through early October.

A three- to four-day visit allows you to see the park’s major highlights without rushing. One day on the water will get you to key destinations like Ellsworth Rock Gardens or Kettle Falls, and an additional day lets you explore more islands, hike, fish, or simply enjoy the lake. Guests who want a deeper experience—sunset cruises, wildlife viewing, stargazing, or multiple lakes—often stay five to six days.