Crane Lake is located in Northern Minnesota near the border with Canada, and it is about five hours away from the Twin Cities: Minneapolis and St. Paul. Vacations on this lake allow families to explore remote areas that cannot be accessed from the shore, and lake attractions include sheer rock walls, deep forests and remote islands. Families can go kayaking or canoeing among these islands. Bird watching is also another popular vacation activity on this lake. Other activities in the area include hiking, swimming, cooking, sunbathing and wildlife viewing. Nearby activities include the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary, Kettle Falls and the Bog Walk, which is a trail that travels through wetlands.
Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats offers houseboat rentals on the lake, and the houseboat amenities include kayaks, canoes, beverages, linens and damage insurance. This is a pet-friendly accommodation. Meals can either be cooked on board, or families can choose to have the meals cooked by the staff and brought to the houseboat.
Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats
7576 Gold Coast Road
Crane Lake, MN 55725
800-882-6287
voyagaire.com
This lake is located near Ely within the Superior National Forest, and the lake travels through isolated forests, beaches and bays. Vacation activities on the lake include swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, boating sunbathing or playing in the sand; families can combine houseboat travels with camping along the lake shore. Along the lake shore, picnic tables and grills are available; guests may enjoy boutique shopping and restaurants in town. Nearby attractions include the Dorothy Molter Museum, the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center.
Kinsey Houseboats offers families a choice of five boats, ranging from 33 to 50 feet long, and all come with a 120-volt generator. Pets are allowed on the houseboats. On-board amenities include water, heaters, bathrooms, a full kitchen, a CD player, pillows, blankets, a two-way radio, a barbecue grill, maps of the area and deck chairs.
Kinsey Houseboats
2718 Birch River Road
Babbitt, MN 55706
888-827-3763
kinseys.com
Lake Vermilion is located in Northern Minnesota near the towns of Murray, Tower and Ely; lake activities include camping, swimming, sunbathing, golfing, hiking and biking. Nearby activities include the Soudan Underground Mine, miniature golf, the Tower Train and Depot Museum, and Fortune Bay Casino, which features an 18-hole golf course, live entertainment, slot machines, bingo and black jack. Vacation activities include kayaking and canoeing, and boutique shopping is available in the surrounding towns.
Vermilion Houseboats offers houseboats that range from 40 to 60 feet long, and on-board amenities include a full kitchen, refrigerators, a generator, a sundeck, a hot tub, a water slide, a grill and deck chairs.
Vermilion Houseboats
9482 Angus Road
Tower, MN 55790
800-262-8706
vermilionhouseboats.com
