Eloping in Voyageurs National Park
Last updated: March 2024
Imagine exchanging your vows surrounded by lakes, forests, and the beauty of nature. Eloping in Voyageur National Park offers a truly magical and intimate experience for couples wanting an unforgettable way to tie the knot. Located in northern Minnesota, this park offers a unique setting for your special day—and as someone who has captured many moments here, I can safely say that there are endless things to do and places to go to make your elopement unforgettable.
This guide breaks down how to elope in Voyageurs National Park, from choosing locations and accommodations to planning your day and obtaining the right permits.
The Best Part of Eloping in Voyageurs National Park
The awesome thing about eloping in Voyageurs National Park is that it’s a “choose your own adventure” kind of location. Not only is it located in a state with all four seasons (and thus four different kinds of experiences) but the entire park is split up into locations accessible via car, boat, or water taxi. The park itself is about five hours away from the Twin Cities via I-35 and Highway 53. It’s also only three hours from Duluth if you are interested in making a pit stop on the way to the park or on your way home (Duluth is one of my favorite locations so I highly recommend doing so).
Eloping in Voyageurs National Park: Step by Step
It can be overwhelming planning your “I do’s” in a national park. If eloping in Voyageurs National Park sounds like it’s for you, I broke down the steps in detail:
1. Book Your Photographer
I always recommend booking your vendors early in the elopement planning process. This ensures you get to have the people you want on your big day.
As a photographer who has captured many elopements, you can also use me as a resource when planning. I have done my research and can help you draw inspiration and craft an experience that is fun and unique to you. I will also be able to help with permits, give recommendations for stays and other vendors, and communicate with the park alongside you—it’ll make your life a lot easier, trust me!
2. Decide When You Want to Go
Voyageurs National Park has a great resource showing the various temperatures and precipitation rates in the area. So, deciding when to elope here really depends on what’s most important to you. For example, if you value a warm average temperature and less precipitation, August and September would be great times to have your celebration!
Other factors to keep in mind include the amount of bugs—which could be more present during the warmer months than colder ones. In my personal experience, May is a great time to go because there are fewer visitors, giving us a lot more privacy to capture and celebrate your elopement.
3. Decide Where You Want to Go
When deciding the specific locations within Voyageurs National Park for your elopement, consider the following:
- This park has various lookouts, trails, campsites, and more! However, not all of them are accessible via car and will require crossing bodies of water to get to them so it’s imperative to decide ahead of time what you want to do.
- The photos used in this blog post were all accessible on land and were primarily located around the Ash River Visitor Center. These points look over Lake Kabetogama. If you don’t want to cross the great blue lake, I know some great spots! There are many trails of varying lengths ranging from half a mile all the way to 11.2 miles.
- Other trails that would require water crossing would include the Cruiser Lake Trail, Locator Trail, and Agnes + Ek Lake.
- If you decide you want to cross the waters to get to your spots, Voyageurs National Park has a list of services available, such as canoe and kayaking rentals or water taxis to help you get to where you need to go. This list also includes helpful guides as well as private tours you can book! For example, Northern Water Excursions LLC provides water taxi and delivery services for the Rainy Lake area if you experience poor weather or need supplies delivered.
4. Apply For Those Permits
When it comes to eloping in a national park, permits are vital. The good news is that entry into Voyageurs National Park is free. However, you still need to apply for a special use permit (SUP) to host your elopement here. There is a $50 filing fee and the reservation fee will likely vary based on how many guests you invite or if you require additional decorations or set up within the park. The park recommends filing at least 4 weeks prior to your event to ensure it gets approved in time. The good news? If you’re not sure how to do this, I can help!
Thankfully, the rangers at Voyageurs have always been very friendly, open, and helpful with me, so in general, we shouldn’t have issues obtaining a permit for your elopement. This permit application is actually relatively short and should only take you about 15 minutes to complete. I am here if you have any questions and will also be communicating with the park rangers about obtaining my own photography permit (if it’s applicable and needed), so I will also be able to ask them questions for you!
5. Apply for Your Marriage License
As mentioned in my guide on eloping in Minnesota, you’ll have to apply for your marriage license and can do so in any Minnesota county. However, each county may have slightly different rules so be sure to check on their website or contact them about the best way to apply for your license in that county. Once the license is ready, it’s only valid for 6 months, so you must elope in this time frame or you will have to pay to renew it.
A friendly reminder that if you want to make everything legit on your actual elopement day, we will need an officiant and two witnesses present. Witnesses can range from random hikers to your friends and family!
6. Plan Your “I Dos”
Take time to plan your vows and any other ceremonial aspects. This includes sitting down to write your vows or other sentimental notes or letters. Do you want to add any unity ceremonies? Perhaps you still want to have a first dance during or after your ceremony–it’s completely up to you!
Remember, to make things official, you’ll need an officiant (I can fill that role if need be) and two witnesses, so take some time to envision who you want those special people to be! If you’re an LGBTQIA+ couple, check out these tips for finding a queer-affirming officiant.
7. Add Activities for Your Perfect Elopement
Part of the excitement that comes with planning your elopement is deciding on the kinds of activities you want to include in your day to make it feel special. These activities can range from the ultimate outdoor adventure to a peaceful moment taking in the nature around you. Here are some example activities for Voyageurs National Park:
- Take a boat tour to add some fun to your day. The park even has options to look at the stars from the water—how epic would that be? Did someone say star photos?
- Pack a picnic or celebratory meal for your post-vow celebration.
- Take a nap in a hammock.
- We can also discuss doing a honeymoon session if you want to include some photos of you camping or in alternative outfits after your elopement day.
8. Plan Your Stay
Where you stay will depend on where you are—the mainland or across the water. The good news is that there are great accommodation options for both locations within the park!
Mainland:
Lodges
- The Pines at Kabetogama offers both RV hook-up sites as well as RVs you can rent upon arrival. The views are fantastic!
- There are a variety of resorts and lodges along the Ash River Trail, bordering Kabetogama Lake. For example, check out The Frontier Resort.
Airbnbs
- I created a list of cute Airbnbs for your stay if you decide on the mainland. I should note that since this park spans a great distance, depending on where you are having your elopement, you may have to travel a little way to get to your Airbnb.
Campsites
- The park has a ton of options for camping—easily accessible sites, backcountry sites, houseboats, and RV options. Check out the various options on their website.
Crossing the water:
- To get to the Kettle Falls Hotel, you can book a water shuttle to pick you up and drop you off!
- This resource has a list of lodges and resorts accessible in multiple ways.
- The Voyageurs National Park website also has a list of accommodations ranging from their campsites to houseboats that you can reserve.
Your Voyageurs National Park Elopement Awaits!
Voyageurs National Park holds a special place in my heart—I hope I’ve made you just as excited about this location as it makes me! If you’re ready to start planning your next step toward forever and need a photographer by your side, reach out to me today! I can’t wait to meet you.
