Ash River Visitor Center

This is a really cozy visitor center. Where the new Crane Lake one is all sleek and modern, this one is cozy and rustic. The gift shop is also far better. They have some cool displays in the main area that are great for kids to look at and learn about the park. You can find bathrooms and a water spigot out on the west side of the building.

Small, but serene visitors center that is located in log cabin. Beautiful views from the back yard. Parking was full of boat trailers early on a Friday; can't imagine midday Saturday trying to park. This is a great place to start the Blind Ash Bay trail (can also catch it from the Kabetogama overlook). The hike is worth it, but realize what you are getting into - lots of switchbacks and some elevation changes on a single-track non-groomed trail. Tree roots, rock outcroppings, banks of a river? Yep, you get to hike over it all if you do the full trail including loop on the bay. If you have knee/ankle issues like I do, take heed. I would also say that 20 ounces of water is not enough if hiking it midday in July/August. But the views at the end? Well worth it, with the health benefits a bonus 🙂

In August 2025, we visited the Ash River Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota. Lake Kabetogama is behind the Visitor's Center, and after descending the path down to the Lake, the Lake scenery is amazing to see. The Visitor's Center is a 90 year old authentic log cabin. Voyageurs National Park gets its name from French fur trappers who caught beavers and paddled in canoes. We enjoyed visiting Ash River Visitor Center and Voyageurs National Park.

Small but worthwhile stop! Inside this historic structure you’ll find basic information and a small gift shop. Outside is where the gems are! - Linger in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake. - Walk down the stairs to the rocky edge of the lake to take your photo see with one of the very few on Voyagers NP signs that doesn’t have the visitor center name on it. - Use the flush toilets! - Head back up the road a short way to the Sullivan Bay trailhead and take this half mile easy hike out to a beautiful overlook. Great family hike!

Amazing little Visitor Center located in a 90 year-old Finish Cabin! Two excellent volunteers welcomed us before we our boat tour “Life on the Lake” which lasted 150 mins. Our tour guide, Rebecca was excellent, engaged and funny. We saw eagle nests with bald eagles circling over and one eaglet (all brown) was in one nest. We were lucky as a black bear was by the shore and bolted away as the boat was getting close. Two otters welcomed us while on IW Stevens’ island. We also visited Hoist Bay. It was an amazing opportunity to be introduced to Voyageur National Park. We will come back to stay in a cabin somewhere in this beautiful park. Our boys got sworn in as junior rangers.

Large boat ramp. A LOT of parking but fills up quickly. Great ramp but steep. Does have identifying markers to find easier from the lake. Plenty of information on the park. Bathrooms were open before the visit center which was nice.

Wonderful visitor center with a staff that is outgoing and helpful. The old log cabin has a rustic feel and fireplace. The nearby lake is marvelous and what makes it a North woods adventure.

Neat little stop off with a nice vista. Just watch for leeches if you get in the water. There's a cute little area for a picnic just passed the visitors center, too.