Pets at Voyageurs

Bringing your pet to Voyageurs National Park can be a great way to explore the Northwoods together. To help protect wildlife, keep trails and shorelines clean, and ensure everyone has a safe visit, Voyageurs has specific places where pets are allowed and areas where they are not. Before you head out, check the guidelines below so you and your four‑legged companion can enjoy the park responsibly.

Where Can I Take My Pet?

Where Pets Are Allowed	Where Pets Are Not Allowed
✔Frontcountry campsites and day-use sites (within 100 feet of the shoreline on Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes)	Backcountry sites on the Kabetogama Peninsula
✔Outdoor developed public use areas, parking areas, walkways, and boat ramps	Primitive campsites along the Kab‑Ash Trail
✔Lake surfaces (frozen or open water) where motorboats are allowed	Tour boats
✔Outside visitor center areas and parking lots	Inside visitor centers
✔Rainy Lake Visitor Center Recreation Trail	All trails except Rainy Lake VC Recreation Trail
	Ethnobotanical Garden

 

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted on tour boats, in all park facilities, and on all trails. Service animals are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go.

NPS policy defines a service animal as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.

Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are not service animals under the ADA and are subject to pet regulations.

Service animals must be under the control of the handler at all times and may be excluded if they are not under control or are not housebroken, consistent with applicable regulations and NPS Management Policies.

Pet Owner Responsibility

• Pets must be restrained on a leash not exceeding six feet in length, be under physical control, and be attended at all times.
• All pet excrement must be collected and disposed of properly in a trash receptacle.
• All pets must be vaccinated and possess a valid vaccination tag as required by Koochiching and St. Louis County.
• Service animals are subject to these same requirements.

 

Pet Safety & Health

Exploring Voyageurs National Park with your pet can be a great experience, but the Northwoods environment comes with natural risks. Being prepared helps keep both you and your pet safe.

Health Watch for Pets

Blastomycosis is a fungal disease found throughout the Great Lakes region, including parts of Minnesota. Northern counties and several counties in the Metro area are known hotspots. There is no evidence that blastomycosis is more common inside Voyageurs National Park than in other areas where the disease already occurs.

If you notice symptoms in your pet—such as coughing, fever, eye irritation, or unusual fatigue—contact a veterinarian promptly. For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Health.

General Outdoor Risks

Pets can encounter parasites, insects, ticks, fungi, and other health hazards in the outdoors. Take steps to protect your pet by:

• Keeping them on a leash and under control
• Carrying plenty of fresh water
• Using tick and parasite prevention recommended by your veterinarian
• Checking their fur, ears, and paws after every outing

Hot Weather & Cold Weather Safety

In summer, protect pets from heat exhaustion by offering shade and water frequently.
In winter, be mindful of ice conditions and extreme cold. Frozen lakes may appear safe but can change rapidly with weather and snowpack.

Respect Wildlife

Wildlife encounters can be dangerous for pets and local animals. Always keep pets at a safe distance and never allow them to chase or approach wildlife. This protects both the ecosystem and your pet.

 

Special Use Permits for Dog Sled Teams

Dog teams and dog sleds are permitted on frozen lake surfaces within the park when adequate ice and snow conditions are present. However, a written Special Use Permit is required for dog teams and dog sleds traveling on designated snowmobile portages.