INTERNATIONAL FALLS/VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK

The northern border of the state is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake are fine fishing lakes year-round, and there are ample opportunities for just about any other kind of outdoor activity you can imagine. Moreover, visitors can get a taste of what it must have been like for early pioneers as they navigated Chippewa National Forest or Voyageurs National Park, with acres of undeveloped lands to explore.

To See and Do

Koochiching County Historical Museum/Bronko Nagurski Museum (218-283-4316; koochichingmuseums.org), 214 6th Avenue, International Falls. Open daily. Adults $4; students $2; children 6 and under free; admission gains entrance to both museums. Two museums share one building, each focused on history specific to the region. Bronko Nagurski is a local legend, a farm boy who became one of the best professional football players in the sport’s history. His side of the museum details not only his life and sports career, but also the impact of the times (the Depression, World War II) on his life and that of others. The Koochiching County Historical Museum has a well-rounded collection of artifacts reflecting the area’s history with Native Americans and French voyageurs, as well as its relationship to Canada. Museum volunteers and staff are well versed in the collections and can answer questions and offer insightful tales.

Boise Cascade Paper Mill (218-285-5011), 400 2nd Street, International Falls. Open Mon.–Fri., Jun.–Aug. No admission fee. Children under 10 not allowed; cameras prohibited. Boise Cascade, one of the world’s largest paper-making companies, offers both mill tours and woodland tours. Call ahead for reservations—these tours are very popular.

Green Space and Outdoor Activities

Not surprisingly, this area is full of activities in the great outdoors, some more rustic than others.

FISHING Rainy Lake/Rainy River (rainylake.org). Rainy Lake, which stretches north into Canada, has some of the best fishing in the state, particularly for walleye, and there are many resorts and houseboats offering accommodations and fishing guides (see Lodging). Rainy River connects Rainy Lake with Lake of the Woods to the west; its 80 miles of river provide not only excellent fishing opportunities (walleye, smallmouth bass), but also great canoeing and kayaking.

GOLF The River Golf Course, Inc. (218-283-4491; therivergolf.com), 4402 County Route 152. Designed by Joel Goldstrand, the Falls Country Club golf course is challenging and beautiful, and it’s open to the public.

PARKS AND PARKWAYS Waters of the Dancing Sky (watersofdancingsky.com), MN 11. Named after the Northern Lights, this stretch of highway that travels more than 190 miles from the North Dakota border into Voyageurs National Park covers a full range of northern Minnesota scenery: rivers, lakes, prairies, farmland, and a host of small towns. Note: The western edge of the byway is completed when MN 11 connects with US 59, then MN 175.

PIRAGIS NORTHWOODS COMPANY

Voyageurs National Park (218-283-6600; nps.gov/voya), 3131 US 53, International Falls. Centuries ago, French traders paddled these waters on their way to Canada, looking to trade animal pelts and goods with the natives. Today Voyageurs National Park is a haven for those who love to be on the water, whether by canoe, kayak, or houseboat. Hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers travel the grounds year-round. A series of connected lakes and bays, as well as miles of untouched forest, provide an intimate north woods experience. Wildlife is abundant.

There are three visitor centers. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center (218-286-5258) is the primary source and the only one open year-round. Located 10 miles east of International Falls, it is open daily from late May–September, and Wed.–Sun. from October–Memorial Day. The Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center (218-875-2111) is open daily from late May–late September, and the Ash River Visitor Center (218-374-3221) is open Thurs.–Sun., late May–September.

Boat tours from the visitor centers are offered during the summer, as is a tour to Ellsworth Rock Gardens, a lush garden spot built over a period of 20 years by Jack Ellsworth and maintained today by the National Park Service.

There are campgrounds available on a first-come, first-served basis (groups can reserve ahead of time with one of the visitor centers), but note that the campgrounds within the park are only accessible by boat. A free permit is required for camping, which can be obtained at the visitor centers or at self-permit stations within the park. If you’re interested in camping but would rather be able to drive up to your campsite, look into reserving a site at the Woodenfrog State Campground (218-365-2520), County Route 122, Ray. Located in Kabetogama State Forest, part of Voyageurs National Park, Woodenfrog has campsites available from mid-May to mid-Sept. that don’t require boat access.

Lodging

Within International Falls itself are several small motels or budget hotels, such as the Days Inn and Super 8 on US 53. Most accommodations that provide more of the “northern” experience are on the outskirts, or along MN 11 east to Voyageurs National Park.

CABINS

INTERNATIONAL FALLS

Camp Idlewood (218-286-5551; campidlewood.com), 3033 County Route 20, International Falls. Camp Idlewood has nine cabins with knotty pine interiors and full kitchens; the resort itself has a beach, and a canoe, paddleboat, inner tubes, and tow ropes available at no fee. Boats and motors can be rented, or you can bring your own; each cabin has one dock space included, and additional spaces can be rented. Weekly rates start at $1120.

Island View Lodge and Cabins (218-286-3511 or 1-800-777-7856; gotorainylake.com), 1817 E. MN 11, International Falls. Located 12 miles east of International Falls, Island View sits on the edge of Rainy Lake with gorgeous views and direct lake access. There are 15 cabins available, as well as several lodge rooms. An adjacent spa has a hot tub and sauna, and the lodge has a dining room and lounge. Rates start at $130.

Sha Sha Resort on Rainy Lake (218-286-3241 or 1-800-685-2776; shashaonrainylake.com), 1664 E. MN 11, International Falls. Open May–Sept. Literally at road’s end, Sha Sha Resort is the final destination for MN 11 east from International Falls. The resort offers nine beautiful log cabins. Another of the resort’s benefits is a sprawling, multilayered outdoor deck where diners and libation seekers can enjoy the view of Rainy Lake. Rates start at $280.

LAKE KABETOGAMA

Voyageur Park Lodge (218-875-2131 or 1-800-331-5694; voyageurparklodge.com), 10436 Waltz Road, Kabetogama. Open mid-May–Sept. Ten cottages along Lake Kabetogama, along with a lodge suite, offer guests peaceful privacy. Full kitchen, barbecue grill, and campfire site are included with each cabin (campfires only when conditions allow). Use of canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats is free; fishing boats, pontoons, and motors can be rented on-site. In winter, overnight ice houses are available to rent. Rates start at $160.

Herseth’s Tomahawk Resort (218-875-2352 or 1-888-834-7899; hersethstomahawkresort.com), 10078 Gappa Road, Ray. Herseth’s offers nine cabins with lake views. The resort has a large sand beach with free canoes and paddleboats. Motorized boats available for rent. The proprietor is a certified scuba diver and is happy to arrange diving excursions into Lake Kabetogama. Rates start at $173.

Moosehorn Resort (218-875-3491 or 1-800-777-7968; moosehornresort.com), 10434 Waltz Road, Kabetogama. Open late Apr.–mid-Oct. Moosehorn has nine cabins stretched along Lake Kabetogama with sandy beach. This is an especially family-friendly resort, located in a quiet bay that keeps the lake waters calmer than in other spots. Canoes, kid-sized kayaks, and a playground area are included for guests. Boats are available for rental. Weekly rates start at $825.

Kec’s Kove Resort (218-875-2841 or 1-800-777-8405; kecskove.com), 10428 Gamma Road, Kabetogama. Kec’s has eight cabins and a lodge with whirlpool and sauna; a massage therapist is available for guests. If you go fishing and need some help afterward, Kec’s can provide fish cleaning and freezing services. Motorized boats are available for rent; paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks are complimentary. Weekly rates start at $825; daily rates are offered in winter.

Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting (218-875-2591 or 1-800-318-7023; nlro.com), 10179 Bay Club Drive, Kabetogama. Northern Lights offers 13 cabins along Lake Kabetogama, as well as a number of activities for all interest levels. Guides can be arranged for fishing or other expeditions; a ladies’ pontoon cruise is held weekly, with coffee and muffins; an adults social cruise is offered weekly in the evening. Rates start at $145.

HOTELS

INTERNATIONAL FALLS

AmericInn (218-283-8000 or 1-800-331-4443; wyndhamhotels.com), 1500 MN 11, International Falls. A well-appointed hotel within International Falls, the AmericInn has an indoor pool, restaurant, and even a garden walk down to the river, where guests can fish. Rates start at $107.

Bear Ridge Guest House (218-340-4274; bearridgeguesthouse.net), 1841 MN 11, International Falls. Offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, the Bear Ridge Guest House is a great choice for visitors to Rainy Lake. It’s located on a hill overlooking the lake, with private decks to enjoy the view. Some suites have full kitchens and fireplaces. Rates start at $175.

Rainy Lake Inn & Suites at Tara’s Wharf (218-286-5699 or 1-877-724-6955; taraswharf.com), 2065 Spruce Street Landing, Ranier. Near Woody’s, the Rainy Lake Inn offers four suite accommodations in a charming “seaside” setting. The ice cream shop will keep everyone happy. Rates include daily breakfast at one of two local cafes, as well as a free ice cream cone. Rates start at $95.

VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK

Kettle Falls Hotel (218-240-1724 or 218-875-2070 [winter]; kettlefallshotel.com), 12977 Chippewa Trail, Kabetogama. Open early May to early Oct. While I have not visited this hotel personally, it’s enough of a legend that it can’t be ignored. Located on an odd geographical twist that allows you to stand on the Minnesota side and look south to Canada, this hotel is the only lodging within Voyageurs National Park, and it’s accessible only by plane or by boat. Nearly a century old, Kettle Falls Hotel has a rich history that includes bootleggers selling whiskey during Prohibition. Today the hotel has 12 rooms with shared baths, a full-service restaurant, and a saloon that still bears the marks of wilder early years. Rates start at $70.

Where to Eat

EATING OUT Sammy’s Pizza Restaurant & Tavern (218-373-0190; sammyspizzaifalls.com), 301 3rd Avenue, International Falls. Open daily for lunch and dinner. A cheerful, family-friendly American-Italian restaurant with pizza, pasta, salads, and burgers. A buffet is available, as is an arcade area for kids.Moderate.

RANIER

Coffee Landing (218-373-2233; facebook.com/coffeelandingcafe), 444 3rd Street, International Falls. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. A full-service coffee, espresso, and tea shop, along with an extensive food menu including breakfast items, sandwiches, pastries, soups, and salads. Inexpensive.

Rose Garden Restaurant (218-283-4551), 311 4th Avenue, International Falls. Open Mon.–Fri. for lunch and dinner, Sat. for dinner. Classic Chinese-American food, with large portions at reasonable prices. Moderate.

Chocolate Moose Restaurant Company (218-283-8888; chocolatemooserestaurant.com), 2501 2nd Avenue W., International Falls. Open daily for all three meals. The Chocolate Moose serves up platter-sized portions of pancakes, burgers, pasta, and dinner entrées including steak and shrimp. Inexpensive/moderate.

HOUSEBOATS

An alternative to hotels and resorts is the houseboat experience. Rainy Lake has two companies that have several houseboats available for rental.

Northernaire Houseboats (218-286-5221; northernairehouseboats.com), 2690 County Route 94, International Falls. Open May–Sept., Northernaire offers 10 houseboats of varying sizes and levels of amenities, including some with open decks and some with screened-in decks. Rentals include a tow-behind boat, free delivery on the lake twice weekly (for groceries, etc.), and a guide service for the first 4 miles to orient you to the maps and buoy systems. Order ahead, and your boat’s kitchen will be stocked with foods and beverages of your choice. Rates start at $285. Specials are available.

Rainy Lake Houseboats (218-286-5391 or 1-800-554-9188; rainylakehouseboats.com), 2031 Town Road 488, International Falls. Open mid-May–mid-Oct. Rainy Lake’s fully equipped houseboats have kitchens, a tow-behind boat, swim platforms and water slides, and deck table and chairs. Guide service is available with prearrangement, and groceries can be ordered ahead as well. Rates start at $285.

Rainy Lake Grill (218-540-1002), 2079 Spruce Street, Ranier. Open Wed.–Sun. for brunch and dinner. Enormous breakfast dishes, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, a build-your-own pasta option at dinner, and steak, walleye, and shrimp. Inexpensive/moderate.

Almost Lindy’s (218-286-3364; almostlindys.com), 3003 County Route 20, International Falls. Open daily for dinner. BBQ, pizza, and chicken—broasted chicken, to be specific—as well as slow-smoked ribs, steak, walleye, and an impressive array of pizzas. Try the Perogi pizza: sour cream, potato, bacon, and onion. Moderate.

Selective Shopping

Border Bob’s (218-283-4414; borderbobs.com), 200 2nd Avenue, International Falls. Open daily Memorial Day–Labor Day. The quintessential souvenir shop, with local goods such as maple syrup, commemorative Minnesota/Canada items, T-shirts, and other tourist goods. Also a great place to stop for ice cream.

Pine Ridge Gift Shop (218-875-3313), 9903 Gamma Road, Lake Kabetogama. Open daily May–Sept. Pine Ridge is housed in a log cabin on Gamma Road, near CR 122; located near a cluster of resorts on Lake Kabetogama, the shop is easy to find. Its merchandise runs the gamut from touristy to collectible. Local arts, crafts, quilts, cabin amenities, Christmas decorations, candles, locally produced foods (including their own roasted coffee), and clothing make up the bulk of this shop, staffed by cheerful locals who know the area well.

Special Events

January: Icebox Days (218-283-9400 or 1-800-325-5766; ifallschamber.com/icebox-days), International Falls. This annual festival includes such winter fun as frozen turkey bowling, smoosh races (four people on two skis), a human sled dog race, snowshoe races, an open ice golf tournament, toilet seat toss, chili feed, and the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run. Occurs in mid-January.