With its countless islands, beautiful shorelines and rich history, the best way to experience Rainy Lake is to get out on the water. If you want to experience Rainy Lake from the water without having to navigate the lake yourself, the Grand Tour on Rainy Lake is a great place to start. Departing from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center just east of International Falls, the 2.5 hour guided cruise takes visitors out onto the vast, island-dotted waters of Rainy Lake. Along the way, the captain shares stories about the park’s natural beauty, wildlife, cultural history and the people who have called this area home.
What to Expect on the Grand Tour
The Grand Tour is more than just a scenic boat ride. As the vessel travels across Rainy Lake, passengers can take in rocky shorelines, forested islands, secluded bays and the expansive views that make Voyageurs unique. The captain shares stories about the lake’s history and keeps an eye out for wildlife along the way, so you may spot bald eagles, loons, other waterfowl and wildlife along the shoreline.
What to Bring: Weather on Rainy Lake can change quickly, and it can feel cooler on the water even on a warm summer day. Bring a light jacket or extra layer, sunglasses, sunscreen and water. A hat can also be helpful for sun protection, and don’t forget your camera or phone for photos along the way.
A Look Into Rainy Lake’s History
One of the best parts of the Grand Tour is hearing the stories behind the landscape. Rainy Lake has been traveled and used by people for centuries, including the Ojibwe, French-Canadian voyageurs, fishermen, loggers, trappers and gold miners. The waterways of Voyageurs National Park were once part of important travel routes used by French-Canadian voyageurs in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, visitors can follow portions of those historic routes from the comfort of the Voyageur tour boat.
The lake’s history also includes commercial fishing, logging and the short-lived gold-mining era. Historic places such as Oveson’s Fish Camp and the Little American Island gold mine help tell the story of the people who made their living on Rainy Lake.
How Long Is the Grand Tour?
The Grand Tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and departs from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. The tour typically operates from mid-June through September, although schedules can vary. Visitors should check the current schedule when planning their trip and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in. You can book your tour through recreation.gov!
Rather than measuring the experience by miles traveled, think of the Grand Tour as a relaxing introduction to Voyageurs National Park. In just a few hours, visitors can see a variety of landscapes, look for wildlife and learn about the history that shaped the Rainy Lake region.
Book Your Tour Ahead of Time
Voyageurs National Park boat tours are popular during the summer, so booking ahead is highly recommended, especially for longer tours and peak summer dates. Ticket sales typically go live in April for the upcoming season, giving visitors the opportunity to plan their tour before arriving.
Tours have limited capacity and popular dates can fill up, so if a boat tour is on your must-do list, reserve your seats early. Schedules, tour availability and departure locations vary, so be sure to check the National Park Service’s current boat tour information when planning your trip.
More Voyageurs Boat Tours to Explore
The Grand Tour is just one of several ranger-led boat tours offered by the National Park Service throughout Voyageurs National Park. Depending on the tour, visitors can explore historic sites, step ashore on remote islands and learn more about the people and industries that shaped the area.
Life on the Lake — Rainy Lake
For visitors interested in local history, the Life on the Lake Tour offers a closer look at the people who once lived and worked around Rainy Lake. This 2.5-hour tour visits Little American Island, site of the Rainy Lake Gold Rush, and Oveson’s Fish Camp. Visitors step off the boat for two short ranger-led walks while learning about the fishermen, loggers, gold miners and trappers who made their living in the area.
Kettle Falls Cruise — Rainy Lake
Make a day of it with the Kettle Falls Cruise, a 6.5-hour adventure across Rainy Lake to one of Voyageurs National Park’s most unique historic destinations. The trip includes approximately 2.5 hours aboard the Voyageur on the way to Kettle Falls, about two hours to explore the historic district, and a two-hour cruise back. Visitors have time to see the Kettle Falls Hotel, dam and surrounding area before returning to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Ellsworth Rock Gardens — Kabetogama Lake
Departing from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, this 2.5-hour cruise takes visitors to the historic Ellsworth Rock Gardens, where artist Jack Ellsworth spent decades creating an unusual collection of stone sculptures and terraced gardens along the lakeshore. Along the way, a ranger shares stories about the area’s history, landscape and life on the lake.
Life on the Lake — Ash River
Departing from the Ash River Visitor Center, this tour explores Namakan Lake and some of its fascinating historic sites. Visitors can step ashore at I.W. Stevens Island, home to historic cabins and an early resort, and visit Hoist Bay, where remnants of the past help tell the story of the area’s transition from logging and industry to recreation and national park lands.
Kettle Falls Cruise — Ash River
Kettle Falls can also be reached from the Ash River Visitor Center. This approximately 5.5-hour excursion combines a scenic cruise across Namakan Lake with time to explore the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, dam and surrounding area. It’s another great option for visitors who want to experience one of the park’s most remote and storied destinations.
Which Tour Is Right for You?
Whether you’re visiting Voyageurs for the first time or looking to learn more about the area’s history, there is a boat tour for almost every interest.
For a first-time visitor: The Grand Tour is a great introduction to Rainy Lake and Voyageurs National Park.
For history lovers: Life on the Lake provides a deeper look at fishing, logging, mining and life on the lake.
For a full-day adventure: The Kettle Falls Cruise combines a scenic boat ride with time to explore one of the park’s most historic destinations.
For art and unique attractions: The Ellsworth Rock Gardens Tour offers a chance to see one of Voyageurs’ most unusual cultural landmarks.
Whichever tour you choose, getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience Voyageurs National Park. With hundreds of islands, miles of shoreline and a history deeply connected to its waterways, Voyageurs is a park that truly comes alive from the boat.
Visitors Experience:
As someone who lives in the International Falls area, I’ve spent plenty of time on Rainy Lake, but I had never experienced it quite like this. Recently, I had the opportunity to hop aboard the Voyageurs National Park Grand Tour, and it gave me a whole new perspective on the lake. Once we left the dock, the pace of the tour immediately felt relaxing as the boat moved out into the open waters of Rainy Lake. I really enjoyed being able to sit back and take in the views as we passed clusters of islands, quiet shorelines, and stretches of water that seemed to go on forever. One of my favorite parts was listening to the guide share stories about the lake’s history while pointing out different landmarks along the way. It made the scenery feel even more meaningful. I learned about early life on Rainy Lake, saw an old mine shaft entrance, spotted iconic wildlife like Minnesota’s state bird, the loon, and even saw a bald eagle. I also learned the history behind the names of some of the buildings and places around the lake, which was something I found especially interesting. So whether you’re a local or visiting the area for the first time, the Grand Tour is a great way to see Rainy Lake from a new perspective.
