Area Attractions
Parks & Lakes
Explore 65 miles of roadless waterways and hike trails only accessible by boat on the Kabetogama Pennisula. Our top favorites are the Cruiser Trail and the Locator Trail — bring a pole to catch your shore lunch on one of the inner lakes.
Beyond Northern Lights activities, the Voyageur’s National Park Service provides a whole summer of really fun activities. There are three visitor centers that each offer a variety of activities — including the Junior Ranger Program.
Our surrounding National Park has a wide range of Ranger-Guided programs including:
Guided Canoe Trips and Island Cruises
Kettle Falls Boat Trips Island Picnics
Wildlife Naturalist walks – including explore Beaver Ponds
Paddle a 26 foot voyageur’s canoe “Canoe du Nord”
And more…
We have the full schedule available in our lodge to help you plan your activities. These programs begin mid-June and continue through the end of August.
Our area is rich in history and connects us with our cultural roots, along with the mysteries of geology and the wonders of nature. You won’t want to miss Kettle Falls & the amazing Ellsworth Rock Gardens!
Ellsworth Rock Scultpture Gardens: accessible by boat only and established by Mr. Ellsworth a quiet cabinet maker from Chicago whom purchased the logging camp land from a giant logging company. For nearly 20 years, using only manual tools like levers and pully’s and his green thumb, Mr. Ellsworth created over 60 terraced garden beds were constructed on the granite outcrop and rise over 65 feet tall. Today, experience the sweeping vista views over Lake Kab at this unique garden that is a true testiment to one man’s vision, creativity & life work. Â This is an accessible shore lunch picnic area & has a nice dock system for you to rope up your boats. Also a great place for a “pit stop” with toilet paper.
Historic Kettle Falls: a remote spot accessible by boat only on the Minnesota-Canadian border. It has a rich history spanning several hundred years. From Native American Indians fishing for sturgeon, to French Voyageurs portaging their 26 foot canoes & fur-filled-packs, to gold miners and loggers. During prohibiton, bootleggers distilled and sold whiskey near the hotel & surrounding areas.  Today, you can still get your drink of choice at the bar or enjoy a  nice home style meal at the restaraunt. If you bring in your catch of the day, they will fry your fish for you and it’s simply delicious. There is also a nice trail to the top of the falls where you overlook Rainy Lake. This is a nice boating day trip through the chain of lakes in Voyageurs National Park.
In Minnesota, the land of ten thousand lakes, our Lake Kabetogama is a wild, untapped treasure. Situated along the U.S. – Canadian border, Kabetogama Lake has miles of pristine undeveloped shoreline, 25,000 acres of clean, cool water, and is one of four major lakes that make up Voyageurs National Park.
Wildlife Viewing
This is a nice day trip or 1/2 day trip from Northern Lights Resort. The bears are best seen at dusk. Combine a visit to view the bears with the Bogg Walk at the Voyageurs Visitor Center nearby.
Golf Courses
For guests of Northern Lights Resort that want to hit the links, we have several beautiful courses nearby. You can be on golf cart within 30 minutes from your cabin and overlooking the Canada border or golfing within the scenic north woods. If you’d like to make a day trip and explore further, checkout the Wild North Golf site for options. http://www.wildnorthgolf.com/
This is the closest to our resort. Located 2 Miles West of International Falls Off Hwy 71. For tee times and reservations call (218)283-4491
5530 Crane Lake Rd Buyck, MN. 55771
(218)993-2246