OHV Trails | Birds & Wildlife | Dark Skies | Hunting | Fall Fishing | Summer Activities | Winter Activities

Autumn aerial of Voyageur Park Lodge property

We don’t have as many deciduous trees so the canopy “fall color” isn’t quite the same, but what we do get is an amazing contrast of colors against the deep greens of the spruce, fir and pine trees.  The pace during fall is slower. Many resorts close up until spring, and some restaurants have more limited service and menus. It’s the “off” season when all are getting ready for winter. Yet, autumn is an amazing time to visit Voyageur Country with something for everyone (with few mosquitoes to bother you)!

Your Voyageurs fall vacation might include:

  • Riding the OHV trails in our area
  • Watching wildlife as well as migrating birds
  • Staying up to see the Northern Lights, Milky Way and all the stars visible in our incredibly dark skys
  • Hunting for waterfowl, grouse, deer and bear
  • Sneaking in some fall fishing, too!

 

Trail riding in autumn in Northern Minnesota

OHV TRAIL RIDING

While Kabetogama is not yet connected to Voyageur Country trail system, expansion is in the planning phase. Both Kabetogama State Forest and Koochiching State Forest permit OHV riding on most forest roads. Be sure to always check first and watch for signage. Riding the forest roads will give you the opportunity to see wolves, bears, moose, pine martens, lynx, bobcat and more. The Minnesota DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Riding and Voyageur Country ATV Club sites have good maps and links to additional information. 

 

BIRD & WILDLIFE WATCHING

As the leaves come down, it also becomes easier to bird watch. Many birds that breed here and in Canada migrate south in the fall. The Voyageurs Conservancy has links to a number of birding maps showing the vegetation types along key trails within the Park. A great variety of birds can also be observed on the Voyageur Park Lodge peninsula, including black-backed woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, bald eagles, hawks, owls, a wide variety of warblers, and waterfowl.
 

DARK SKIES

Voyageurs National Park was designated a Dark Sky Park in 2020 – one of only 80 such parks globally. It offers some of the darkest skies in the Midwest, allowing you to easily see the Milky Way with no binoculars or other aids. When conditions are right, the Northern Lights dance across the sky as well. The Park offers some night sky programs and a Starwatch Cruise on Rainy Lake in the fall.

 

 

Youth grouse hunting in northern MinnesotaHUNTING

Deer and bear hunting come with autumn. Visit the Minnesota DNR for zone and permit information. Miles of forest roads and poplar forests bring great ruffed grouse hunting, with sharptails also occasionally taken. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited in the Park, but there are many smaller lakes where you can get the jump on a variety of ducks and geese. 

 

FALL FISHING

Bait fish move into the shallows in early fall to spawn, followed by big walleye, northern pike and others.  The bait fish are larger, and you should expect to catch larger fish this time of year.  Slowly jigging with big minnow along green weed edges near steep drop-offs to deep water usually brings success.  Our docks and boat ramp stay open until the ice forms (no rental boats available).  Each fall the water is drawn down throughout the system to minimize the risk of spring flooding. Expect water levels to be much lower than mid-summer, and navigate carefully as the Park removes the navigational and hazard markers in early October. 

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Our cabins are usually available through the end of September. The Voyageur Park Lodge Suite and Lodge Room are available year-round. Please note that pets are not permitted in our Lodge Suite or Lodge Room.