See the Aurora Borealis and More at Voyageurs National Park

Apr 16, 2025

We love highlighting destinations in our home turf, the good ol’ US of A, and especially if we can give you some ideas less than a day’s drive away from the Chicago area! On today’s travel bucket list, we’re hitting the stunning Voyageurs National Park!

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the aurora borealis, but a flight to a Nordic country isn’t in your budget, then we’ve got great news for you! This is a certified International Dark Sky Park, meaning it’s an absolutely perfect place to see the Northern Lights, as well as the Perseid Meteor Shower. It’s world-renowned for its crystal clear waters, a dream nature photography spot when it comes to wildlife spotting, and perfect for campouts.

Let’s Get To Know What Makes Voyageurs National Park a Must See Destination

The forests and plant life here are part of a transitional area between boreal forest and a temperate deciduous forest; there are more than 50 different tree and shrub species, more than 40 fern and moss species, 200 plus grasses, and more than 400 different types of wildflowers here, with native options including lady’s slipper, bunchberry, red columbine, twinflower, and marsh marigold. Locally cultivated wildflower displays are part of the park’s ongoing conservation efforts, and are not to be disturbed by visitors. Mushroom hunters will be delighted to learn that there are abundant species of fungi and mushrooms, which thrive in the park thanks to its many lakes and ponds, so many in fact that they are too plentiful to quantify and number.

This area is absolutely teeming with wildlife, as well as plenty of birds and bees who appreciate the local flora and foliage. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot some otters, hares, porcupines, moose, wolves, bald eagles, and more!

The Rainy Lake Ethnobotanical Garden is a labor of love, a methodically curated restoration project focused on propagating local native plants and reducing invasive plants encroaching on the parklands. And of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Ellsworth Rock Gardens; this project was created by self-taught artist Jack Ellsworth, blending the natural environment with fine arts and natural elements.

The park offers more than 50 miles of hiking trails with options ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty, to match every experience level. You can hike them on your own with a map, or join in any of the ranger-led activities to learn more about the area and get a unique perspective of the park’s cultural and natural histories.

Enjoy kayaking, boating, fishing, paddleboarding, canoeing and more along the various lakes including Rainy Lake, a freshwater lake along the Minnesota and Canada border with a third of the lake’s area located inside Voyageurs National Park; Namakan Lake, half of which is located within the limits of Voyageurs National Park; Sand Point Lake which is on the border of Minnesota and Ontario, and half of which is situated within the Voyaguers National Park; Kabetogama Lake which is entirely nestled in the National Park limits and has an impressive 78 miles of shoreline and 200 islands. There are also 26 smaller inland lakes, which when combined with the aforementioned contribute to a third of the park’s total area! The park is one of the best fishing spots in the country, with more than 50 different species of fish and aquatic life including lake sturgeon, walleye, northern pike, black crappie, smallmouth bass.

Visit Anderson Bay and marvel at the exposed white granite cliffs jutting out 80 feet high and into the water, and enjoy spectacular views of the bay as well as Rainy Lake. Marvel at the stunning sheer granite cliffs of Grassy Bay which rise 125 feet above the surface of Sand Point Lake, and reach high into the sky for one of the tallest points within the park.

Looking to catch a night out under the stars without having to “rough it”? We recommend checking out the Frontcountry Campsites, which include water access, private and public boat launches, picnic tables, bear lockers, outdoor privies, and fire rings. There are also two primitive camp site options located along the Kab-Ash Hiking Trail for those seeking a more rustic experience.

As you can see, it’s clearly a can’t-miss vacation spot for adventure seekers of all kinds!