Great Lakes - Eastern USA - page 1185

218-362-5959; www.hibbing.lib.mn.us ; 2020 E 5th Ave; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu, to 5pm Fri) has
well-done Dylan displays and a free walking-tour map (available online, too) that takes
you past various sites, like the place where Bobby had his bar mitzvah. Zimmy's
( www.zimmys.com ; 531 E Howard St; mains $14-20; 11am-1am) has more memorabilia, plus
drinks and pub grub. For a bed, try Hibbing Park Hotel ( 218-262-3481;
www.hibbingparkhotel.com ; 1402 E Howard St; r $60-100; ) .
Soudan sports the area's only underground mine ( www.dnr.state.mn.us/soudan ; 1379
Stuntz Bay Rd; tours adult/child $12/7; 10am-4pm late May-early Sep) ; wear warm clothes.

Voyageurs National Park

In the 17th century, French-Canadian fur traders (voyageurs) began exploring the Great
Lakes and northern rivers by canoe. Voyageurs National Park ( www.nps.gov/voya ) covers
part of their customary waterway, which became the border between the USA and
Canada.
It's all about water up here. Most of the park is accessible only by hiking or motorboat
- the waters are mostly too wide and too rough for canoeing, though kayaks are becom-
ing popular. A few access roads lead to campgrounds and lodges on or near Lake Superi-
or, but these are mostly used by people putting in their own boats.
The visitor centers are car accessible and good places to begin your visit. Twelve miles
east of International Falls on Hwy 11 is Rainy Lake Visitors Center ( 218-286-5258;
9am-5pm daily late May-Sep, Wed-Sun Sep-late May) , the main park office. Ranger-guided
walks and boat tours are available here. Seasonal visitor centers are at Ash River (
218-374-3221; 9am-5pm late May-Sep) and Kabetogama Lake ( 218-875-2111;
9am-5pm late May-Sep) . These areas have outfitters, rentals and services, plus some smaller
bays for canoeing.
Houseboating is all the rage in the region. Outfitters such as Ebel's ( 888-883-2357;
www.ebels.com ; 10326 Ash River Trail) and Voyagaire Houseboats ( 800-882-6287;
www.voyagaire.com ; 7576 Gold Coast Rd) can set you up. Rentals range from $275 to $700 per
day, depending on boat size. Novice boaters are welcome and receive instruction on how
to operate the vessels.
Otherwise, for sleeping, your choices are pretty much camping or resorts. The
12-room, shared-bath Kettle Falls Hotel ( 218-240-1724; www.kettlefallshotel.com ;
r/cottage incl breakfast $80/180; May-mid-Oct) is an exception, located inside the park
and accessible only by boat; make arrangements with the owners for pick-up (per person
round-trip $45). Nelson's Resort (

800-433-0743; www.nelsonsresort.com ; 7632 Nelson Rd;