We spent our first full day in Voyageurs National Park at Kabetogama Lake (pronounce cab-eh-TOE-ga-mah). The Lake Kabetogama Visitor Center ("LKVC") is 30 minutes southeast of International Falls. Note that the LKVC was only opened from Sunday through Tuesday during the 2021 season.
Our plan was to rent kayaks for the day and spend as much time exploring the lake as our arms would allow. I thought there might be an outfitter renting kayaks onsite, but this wasn't the case. Instead, the LKVC had a list of commercial outfitters (and phone numbers) that rent kayaks in the area, but the two outfitters on the list didn't work out that day (Voyageurs Outfitters wasn't servicing LKVC, and The Pines only rented kayaks to people staying at the resort). However, we got a tip from Voyageurs Outfitters to try calling nearby Arrowhead Lodge, and they were able to rent us kayaks that day.
It turned out that the new owners of Arrowhead Lodge (as of 2019) were from Chicago, and the kayaks and equipment we rented were from the REI outdoor school near our home. It was like running into an old friend in a strange place. Mike helped us plan our route on the water and recommended the Navionics app for navigation.
Conditions were great for kayaking, but we didn't see many other kayaks on the water (mostly fishing boats). We tried to kayak in the direction where the wind was coming from so the wind would be at our backs for our return.
Voyageurs National park includes over 500 islands, and a lot of these are in Kabetogama Lake. We weaved through the Grassy Island Group and made our way over to Cutover Island.
The map below shows the rough path of our paddle, which began at Arrowhead Lodge (bottom left). We kayaked somewhere between 7 and 8 miles, and my arms were aching by dinner time (my husband's arms were fine). Neither of us had kayaked that much before.
After we finished our kayaking adventure, we decided to stretch our legs on the Echo Bay Trail, which is the only hiking trail accessible by car near the LKVC. We did the longer 2.2-mile loop (there is a smaller 1.5-mile loop available), but I would say that this trail would be ok to skip. The trail wasn't well-maintained, and there were several downed trees obstructing the path. If you do decide to check it out, definitely bring bug spray. Note: when a map says that certain trails are for skiing only, they mean it! The skiing only trails looked unmaintained and too overgrown for hiking safely in the summer.
In short, the best way to visit Kabetogama Lake is to get on the water. There are many commercial outfitters that offer boat tours, fishing guides, and gear rentals (make reservations!). If I had known how far we would have been able to paddle from our starting point, I would have tried to paddle to the Ellsworth Gardens or to the Locator Lake Trailhead. Maybe next time!
Must-haves for kayaking on Kabetogama Lake:
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Water and snacks
- Drybags for valuables
- Navigation method (map or app)
- Optional: boaters gloves (to prevent rubbing and blisters on the paddle)
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