Enjoy a houseboat vacation in Voyageurs National Park with a houseboat rental to spend a week on summer vacation in the scenic waters of these remote northern woods. Voyageur National Park Houseboat rentals are available from commercial operators located outside the park on Rainy Lake, Crane Lake and Ash River (Kabetogama Lake area). The National Park Service does not engage in houseboat rental.
For an overnight stay with a Houseboat in Voyageurs National Park, you will need to get a Houseboat permit. A vessel needs a Houseboat permit if it has on-board sleeping facilities, cooking facilities and an approved marine sanitation device. The permit must be on display at the back of the vehicle.
There are 114 sites for Houseboats to stay overnight on Rainy Lake, Namakan Lake, Kabetogama Lake and Sand Point Lake. Houseboats may also stay at undesignated sites if they are located 200+ yards from any overnight visitor or any developed site/structure.
Rainy Lake Houseboat Rentals
Rainy Lake Houseboats: If you want to start near the northwest corner of the park, you should consider starting at this houseboat rental location off Rainy Lake north of Black Bay. There are nine houseboat styles available starting at The Honeymooner (37′ accommodating 2 people) and ending at the 62′ Chairman II. Pricing varies by date and there is a three day minimum.
Northernaire Houseboats of Rainy Lake: They have a fleet of ten houseboats for rent and are located on Jackfish Bay between the park headquarters in International Falls and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. They require a 3 day minimum stay with prices ranging from $285 per day ($1295 for the week) to $1250 per day ($6100 for the week). They also offer smaller boats for rent for the day or the week.
Kabetogama Lake Houseboat Rentals
Ebel’s has more than ten styles of boats ranging from Voyageur 36′ which is available for 2-3 persons to the 65′ Series which provides accommodations for up to 12 persons in the five state rooms and three bathrooms. Ebel’s is located on Ash River which is south of Sullivan Bay (southeast of Kabetogama Lake).
Crane Lake Houseboat Rentals
Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats has five types of houseboats available for rent ranging from the Suncruiser with three double beds to the 550 Voyagaire (four private staterooms, two baths and an 8 person hot tub). The other types of boats are the Sunseeker, Sportcruiser and Northstar. Voyagaire Lodge is located on Crane Lake south of Sand Point Lake. They also offer motor boats, canoes and kayaks for rent.
Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits
Voyageurs houseboat permits are issued in advance for your itinerary dates on recreation.gov. They can also be made by phone to the national call center. There is a $10 fee per night. Houseboat permits must be brought to the park and placed in a rear window of the houseboat. The permits are not site specific.
Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Sites
All designated houseboat sites are available on a first come first served basis. There are 47 houseboat sites on Rainy Lake, 21 on Namakan Lake, 20 on Kabetogama Lake, and 6 on Sand Point Lake. Most sites appear to have a sand or rock landing and a fire pit. There is a limit of two houseboats per designated site.
Tent camping is only allowed at designated sites. Individuals on houseboats cannot pitch a tent at a houseboat site. Individuals on houseboats wishing to pitch a tent must reserve a tent camping site. Houseboats may not moor at a tent site – they must be moored at least 200 yards away from any developed site. However – cabin cruisers and sailboats (which are classified as houseboats in the park) may stay overnight at tent sites with an advanced campsite reservation.
Houseboats may also stay at an undesignated site as long as they are at least 200 yards away from any developed site or structure. Houseboats may not moor overnight at docks in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a houseboat rental cost at Voyageurs?
Rental rates for a week start at around $1000 for a small houseboat and can exceed $6000 for a week vacation on the largest varieties of luxury houseboats.
Can I bring my own houseboat?
Yes – although most visitors from out of state are probably renting a houseboat on the lake instead due to the distance needed to tow it. Boat launch ramps and parking for your vehicle/trailer are available at park visitor centers, the Crane Lake ranger station, and the two state forest campgrounds. Please check with the State of Minnesota about any permit/license requirements for your boat.