Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Voyageurs National Park, nestled near International Falls in northern Minnesota, stands as a living testament to a pivotal chapter in North American history. This extraordinary park doesn’t merely preserve a landscape; it commemorates the intrepid voyageurs – the French-Canadian fur traders who etched their mark upon this region as some of the first European settlers to traverse its intricate waterways. It’s a place where the echoes of their paddles still resonate, a place where the spirit of adventure lingers in the rustling pines and the shimmering lakes.
The park’s essence lies in its interwoven tapestry of pristine lakes, ancient glacial rock formations, expansive forested uplands, and captivating rocky lakeshores. Grassy portages provide natural pathways connecting the waterways, while tranquil marshes, mysterious bogs, and active beaver ponds contribute to the park’s rich biodiversity. Voyageurs National Park serves as a vibrant stage upon which the drama of the fur trade unfolds, bringing to life the tales of these courageous canoemen who dared to navigate the untamed wilderness. Preserving a 56-mile stretch of the historic water route the voyageurs used to transport their goods, the park offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era.
The story of the voyageurs is inextricably linked to the burgeoning demand for fur in 18th-century Europe. As fashion trends shifted and the desire for luxurious fur goods intensified, European businessmen cast their gaze across the Atlantic towards North America, recognizing its potential as a source of valuable furs. Trapping activities initially centered along the eastern coast, but as fur-bearing animal populations dwindled in the East, the fur trade relentlessly pushed westward. This westward expansion fueled the rise of powerful fur trading companies, including the Northwest Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. These companies relied heavily on the skill and endurance of the voyageurs to transport beaver pelts, other valuable furs, and essential trade goods between Montreal and the remote Canadian Northwest. Voyageurs National Park provides a tangible connection to this significant period in economic and cultural exchange.
The voyageurs, masters of the waterways, utilized the region’s extensive network of lakes and rivers to navigate the vast territory. In doing so, they became some of the first Europeans to explore the Northwest Territory, establishing crucial trade relationships with the American Indian tribes who inhabited the area. The Ojibwe, in particular, played a significant role in the fur trade, exchanging furs for European goods. The voyageurs’ water route became so well-established that by the end of the American Revolution, the "customary waterway" between Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods formed the basis for the international boundary between the United States and Canada. This legacy is deeply embedded within the borders of Voyageurs National Park.
Encompassing nearly 84,000 acres of water, including four major lakes and 26 interior lakes, Voyageurs National Park is best explored from the water. The voyageurs, known for their incredible stamina, paddled for up to 16 hours each day. They depended upon the knowledge and resources of American Indian tribes like the Ojibwe for crucial supplies, including furs, guide services, clothing, food, and medicine. In return, the voyageurs bartered European trade goods for the furs trapped by the Ojibwe. This exchange created a "middle ground," where the Ojibwe and the voyageurs shared goods, ideas, cultural practices, technologies, and, unfortunately, diseases. This intricate relationship profoundly impacted both cultures.
Historical accounts often portray the voyageurs as adventurous, resilient, and cheerful individuals. Their reputation for optimism is particularly remarkable, considering the demanding nature of their work. They frequently paddled large "North Canoes" for extended periods, often facing challenging weather conditions and treacherous terrain. The voyageurs carefully selected practical and durable clothing to withstand the rigors of their journeys. Their toques, typically made of red or blue wool, provided warmth and served as a convenient place to store tobacco. The ceinture fléchée, a six-inch wide and six-foot long sash worn around the waist, offered back support and protection against hernias. Guetres, leggings made of brightly colored wool, prevented chafing and discouraged leeches. While exploring Voyageurs National Park, visitors can easily imagine these colorfully clad figures paddling along Kabetogama Lake and Rainy Lake, or traversing Grassy Portage, Cutover Island, and Surveyor’s Island, pausing at these locations before embarking on the expansive waters of Rainy Lake.
The "North Canoes" used by the voyageurs were essential for transporting furs and trade goods between trading posts and forts. Originally crafted by the Ojibwe and later produced at Fort Lac la Pluie on the Rainy River, the North Canoe was prized for its lightweight construction, ease of navigation, and ability to be quickly repaired using readily available native materials. These canoes were typically constructed from birch bark, cedar, and split spruce roots, and a sealing compound made from cedar ashes mixed with heated pine pitch ensured water resistance. Measuring 26 feet in length and four to five feet in width, these canoes could accommodate a crew of eight men and carry a substantial cargo. When fully loaded with men and goods, a North Canoe could weigh between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds. Today, visitors to Voyageurs National Park can embark on guided trips aboard replica 26-foot North Canoes, offered at the Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Ash River visitor centers during the summer months.
Whether exploring the park by land, canoe, or motorboat, visitors can easily visualize the voyageurs portaging their large canoes around obstacles such as Grassy Portage and Kettle Falls. The Kettle Falls Historic District, marked by a natural barrier in the chain of lakes and rivers along the Canadian and United States border, served as a significant portage point for the voyageurs. They had to circumvent this barrier to continue their trade and transportation routes.
Numerous sites within Voyageurs National Park offer a tangible connection to the past, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience what life might have been like for the voyageurs. Historic fur trade artifacts, including brass buttons, kettle fragments, muskrat spears, spoons, knives, and razors, have been discovered throughout Sand Point, on islands in Sand Point Lake, and along the shoreline of Rainy Lake, from Kettle Falls to Soldier’s Point. The park’s extensive network of hiking trails provides visitors with opportunities to explore the same terrain traversed by the voyageurs centuries ago.
Around 1840, the demand for fur diminished as silk rose in popularity, rendering the voyageurs’ work obsolete. However, the area surrounding Voyageurs National Park continued to be utilized for various purposes, including logging, a minor gold rush, commercial fishing, and recreational activities. The Kettle Falls Hotel, Ellsworth Rock Gardens, and Little American Island stand as testaments to these later historical uses, enhancing the visitor experience and adding layers of historical context to the park.
Visitors to Voyageurs National Park have the opportunity to leave their cars behind and immerse themselves in the pristine lakes, islands, and forested shores of the North Woods. By exploring the park via houseboat, motorboat, canoe, or kayak, they can experience the landscape in a manner similar to the voyageurs who navigated these waters nearly 200 years ago. Voyageurs National Park, a unit of the National Park System, is located near International Falls, Minnesota, approximately three hours north of Duluth on Hwy 53.
Contact Information:
Voyageurs National Park
360 Hwy 11 East
International Falls, MN 56649
(218) 283-6600