EV Road Trip to Voyageurs National Park
Northern Minnesota Splendor
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Voyageurs National Park, we felt an electric vehicle road trip would be the perfect Labor Day Weekend adventure.
After reviewing our travel essentials—packing suitcases and a portable charger—we set off, traveling through Des Moines, Iowa, then Rochester and St. Paul, Minnesota. Skirting Duluth, we turned north toward International Falls.
Upon arrival charging was simple with a passport in hand, as the only available EV chargers were located just across the border in Fort Frances, Ontario.
Voyageurs National Park, nestled along the scenic Rainy Lake, features four visitor centers. Private lodges and boating opportunities offer ample ways to enjoy the lake and its breathtaking scenery.
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A Gateway to Nature and History
International Falls, Minnesota, was originally settled as Koochiching in 1870 by Alexander Baker, who recognized the waterpower potential of the falls on the Rainy River. The village was incorporated in 1901 and renamed International Falls in 1903 to reflect its unique location on the U.S.-Canada border.
The city’s history is shaped by several key events: a devastating fire in 1902, subsequent rebuilding efforts, the construction of a dam in 1905 (which submerged the original falls), and the arrival of the railroad in 1910. That same year marked the founding of the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company mill, a cornerstone of the local economy.
In the 1950s, International Falls gained national attention when Collier’s magazine dubbed it “The Coldest Town in the Nation,” a title the city proudly embraced.
Today, International Falls is considered the gateway to Voyageurs National Park, making it a popular destination for nature tourism and cold-weather testing. Visitors will find ample hotel and motel accommodations, along with a variety of restaurants to enjoy.
Whether you're exploring the pristine wilderness of Voyageurs or the surrounding natural beauty, International Falls offers a welcoming base for your adventure.
Amp’d Advice: The Library Bistro and Coffee Shop offer friendly service, locally roasted coffee, and a delicious breakfast menu. Enjoy a good book beneath the original waterfalls painting.
EV Charging in and Around International Falls
EV Road Trip Charging - Passport Needed
No Luck Charging in America
Nestled along the Rainy River, International Falls offers a slower-paced lifestyle, supported by clean streets, city parks, murals, museums, locally roasted coffee—and, notably, a surprisingly large local police presence. However, the town currently lacks an EV charging station.
A one-mile drive across the Canadian border into Fort Frances provides two public charging options:
Ivy Charging Network at Canadian Tire
ChargePoint Station at Fort Frances GM
We noticed a charger in the parking lot of the local Tim Hortons, but only after we had already replenished our electrons.
At the time, Canadian Tire was having its parking lot striped, making the Ivy charger unavailable. Fortunately, less than a mile down the road, we pulled into the Fort Frances GM dealership and staged the car for a ChargePoint power-up.
Using the ChargePoint app to activate the session (my RFID card wouldn’t read), we took a nap while the car charged to 80% State of Charge. That level gave us plenty of power to visit Voyageurs National Park, explore Rainy Lake’s activities and rocky shoreline views, and still have enough juice to glide 140 miles back to Duluth.
Helpful Apps for Planning:
PlugShare – Great for checking real-time charger availability and user reviews.
A Better Route Planner (ABRP) – Ideal for mapping out your entire EV route with charging stops.
SightSee EV - Use our road trip planning method to identify usable charging stations.
Voyageurs National Park
A Journey Through Time and Nature
The name Voyageur—French for "traveler"—honors the French-Canadian fur traders who began navigating these interconnected waterways over 250 years ago. Their journeys formed a vital segment of the fur trade route that helped open the “Great Northwest.”
As visitors paddle through the lakes today, it’s easy to imagine those early voyageurs dipping their canoe paddles into the clear, dark waters, gliding past rugged rocks and towering pines to the rhythm of their songs.
More info on planning your trip.
Established in 1975, Voyageurs National Park is steeped in over 10,000 years of human history. Evidence of Native American life, fur trading, homesteading, logging, mining, and commercial fishing is scattered throughout the park’s landscapes. These cultural layers reflect the diverse peoples and industries that have shaped the region.
The Organic Act of 1916, which created the National Park Service, mandates the protection of both natural and cultural heritage. Voyageurs National Park embodies this mission, preserving a rich tapestry of history shaped by its striking northern terrain.
With its blend of natural beauty and deep historical roots, Voyageurs National Park offers a unique destination for those seeking to connect with both the past and the present.
Amp’d Advice: You’ve come a long way—stay at least three days to truly enjoy the variety this area has to offer.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Voyageurs National Park
International Dark Sky
To mark the 50th anniversary of Voyageurs National Park, the park staff hosted a star-viewing party at the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. We arrived around sunset to find a packed parking lot and hundreds of enthusiastic participants enjoying guest speakers, telescope stations, and even a nighttime canoe ride under the stars.
We came prepared with red-light flashlights to safely explore the grounds without disrupting the dark-sky experience. Our walk led us to several telescope viewing stations and the sign-up line for a 10-person canoe paddle into the starlit expanse over Rainy Lake.
Inside the visitor center, a speaker presented on how communities can transition to dark-sky practices, followed by a stunning PowerPoint from a local photographer showcasing his night-sky work.
Our three-hour visit was a complete success. We learned about local culture, ways to reduce light pollution, spotted exploding stars through telescopes, and capped off the evening with a peaceful dark-sky canoe ride.
Now, all that remained was a 30-mile drive through the darkness back to our hotel—hopefully without encountering a moose.
Voyageurs Outfitters Lake Tours
Rainy Lake Boat Tour
Voyageurs Outfitters offers a two-hour grand boat tour on Rainy Lake. We met at Thunderbird Lodge, located about 10 miles outside of International Falls, and joined three other guests for a tour led by Captain Don.
A mostly enclosed V-prow boat carried us across the lake, weaving between dozens of islands. Along the way, we had plenty of opportunities to spot American Bald Eagles, beaver dams, loons diving for fish, and endless stretches of striking shoreline.
By the end of the tour, I found myself wishing we had booked the six-hour version—in this case, more really is better.
EV Charging into Stunning Northern Minnesota
EV Road Trip Charging Summary
International Falls & Voyageurs National Park
Heading north, we followed US Highway 63, continued on I-35, and then took I-90 east to Rochester, MN. From Rochester, we passed through St. Paul via I-35, turning north at Cloquet—just outside Duluth.
Northbound Charging Stops: We added a few extra stops to ensure the battery would get us back to Eveleth if the Canadian chargers were a bust:
ChargePoint – Kirksville, MO
Flying J – Williams, IA
Circle K – Rochester, MN
Electrify America – Pine City, MN
Tesla Superchargers – Black Bear Casino, Cloquet, MN
Ford Charging Station – Lundgren Ford Dealership, Eveleth, MN
ChargePoint – Fort Frances, Ontario
Southbound Charging Strategy: We decided to stretch our battery and reduce the number of stops:
Departed International Falls with a 72% State of Charge (SOC)
Tesla Superchargers – Black Bear Casino, Cloquet, MN
Circle K – Rochester, MN
Tesla Supercharger – Ames, IA
ChargePoint – Kirksville, MO
Amp’d Advice: By limiting ourselves to four charging stops on the return trip, we shaved about an hour off our travel time.
Birds Eye Review: EV Road Trip to Voyageurs National Park
Scenic Drives, Starry Nights & Sustainable Travel
Embarking on an electric vehicle road trip to International Falls and Voyageurs National Park offers a unique blend of scenic beauty, cultural history, and electron powered travel. After navigating the quiet roads of northern Minnesota, travelers can cross into Fort Frances, Ontario, for reliable EV charging at Canadian Tire (Ivy Network) or Fort Frances GM (ChargePoint).
Highlights of the trip include:
Star Viewing Party at Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, celebrating the park’s 50th anniversary with telescope stations, dark-sky canoe rides, and educational talks on light pollution.
Rainy Lake Boat Tour with Voyageurs Outfitters, offering close-up views of bald eagles, loons, beaver dams, and the park’s rugged shoreline.
Cultural Exploration through historic sites, oral histories, and exhibits that showcase over 10,000 years of human presence—from Native Americans to fur traders and homesteaders.
With its blend of natural wonder and cultural depth, Voyageurs National Park is a perfect destination for EV travelers seeking adventure, sustainability, and serenity. Pack up and head out, the journey is almost as good as the destination.
