A few things we’re great at
Water, Islands, Bays and Rivers
Captain Ken has over 45 years of boating experience, including 24 years navigating Rainy Lake and the islands. As a US Coast Guard certified captain, he takes the safety and comfort in consideration for all passengers. From navigating Brule Narrows to the open waters and catching as many sunsets as he can, Ken loves exploring and cruising the waterways. If you’re looking for a qualified, personable boat captain on Rainy Lake – Captain Ken would love to serve you. Please email [email protected] with any questions or requests that you may have.

Our Reviews
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Captain Ken was so great to work with! From planning the trip months in advance, to him following up the day before to confirm all of the details. He was... read more early for our outward and return journeys and so knowledgeable about the history of the lake and state parks. He slowed the boat several times on our return journey so we could see a bald eagle, an eagle’s nest and tell us the history behind a mine cave. Our children loved the journey as well. As a mom, I appreciated that he had appropriately sized, very nice youth life preservers instead of generic orange ones. Would highly recommend for anyone wanting to use his services.
Amy Horn
October 15, 2024Captian Ken was great. Picked us up at the Rainy Lake visitors center and took us on a great tour around the park. We made several stops at points of... read more interest. Captian Ken's shared his knowledge and insight into the park with us along the way and answered all of our questions. It was the highlight of our trip.
TimG
October 8, 2024Ken was very knowledgeable and did a great job showing us around the park! A perfect day to be on the water
Lisa W
October 8, 2024Captain Ken had to end our tour early due to some mechanical problems with the engine. I appreciate that he kept our safety in mind and issued a full refund.... read more The experience before the mechanical problems was top notch.
Adam Lester
September 29, 2024Great service! Rented a canoe from rainy lake aquatics and was able to fit a huge amount of gear and supplies and our dog. Now we can go... read more to voyagers, bring as much gear as we want, and only canoe when it’s safe to.
Dan Bain
September 29, 2024We had a wonderful trip. Captain Ken picked us up in his Beautiful Sea Ray boat at rainy Lake RV Park. He took us to various islands and gave us... read more a lot of history about the area. I highly recommend Captin Ken and rainy lake charter tours his son even took a picture of us in the boat from a seaplane great experience well worth the cost
Merl Inabnit
September 29, 2024We had a wonderful trip. Captain Ken picked us up in his Beautiful Sea Ray boat at rainy Lake RV Park. He took us to various islands and gave us... read more a lot of history about the area. I highly recommend Captin Ken and rainy lake charter tours his son even took a picture of us in the boat from a seaplane great experience well worth the cost
Merl Inabnit
September 11, 2024We had a great time on our tour with Captain Ken! He was very communicative and very accommodating. He was able to take us out earlier due to expected weather.... read more He is very knowledgeable about the lake and surrounding area. He provided us with great historical information that we really enjoyed! We saw some cheaper options for tours but are glad we chose Rainy Lake Charters. It was a wonderful experience and was just the two of us and the Captain. Ten out of ten would definitely recommend! And we saw 4 eagles!
Rhonda Blackstock
August 24, 2024Captain Ken was very accommodating and communicative. I didn't take a tour, I needed transport out and back to one of the islands. Ken went out of his way to... read more include me with a group he was taking out. Definitely my go to guy for future trips. Thanks, Captain Ken!
Elizabeth Lewis
August 16, 2024Fantastic trip! Captan with many informative stories. Only two of us , totally VIP service. Thank you captain. Jerzy and Malgorzata Kojder
Jerzy Kojder
August 11, 2024Captain Ken was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable about the history and wildlife on our Kettle Falls tour. His SeaRay Sundeck boat was perfect for enjoying all... read more the beauty and wildlife of Voyagers NP. We wanted to get a good picture of a loon with baby. He went out of his way to find us the perfect picture. Thank for a great day.
Pat Timms
August 2, 2024Fantastic trip! Captan with many informative stories. Only two of us , totally VIP service. Thank you captain. Jerzy and Malgorzata Kojder
Jerzy Kojder
July 30, 2024John Fernandez
July 30, 2024We had a great experience with Captain Ken and really enjoyed our tour. He has a lot of interesting information to share about Rainy Lake and Voyageurs and clearly loves... read more what he does. We especially appreciate that he texted us our trip log detailing our journey around the lake for future reference. Definitely recommend Rainy Lake Charters.
A Lyons
July 2, 2024Yeimy Reintanz
June 11, 2024YeYey
June 5, 2024We live in S FL and are on vacation in our RV. We arranged a custom 4 hour tour with Captain Ken of Rainy Lake Charters. We had a fantastic... read more day. Ken picked us up at the dock at Rainy Lake RV in his 26 foot Sea Ray. As we covered a great deal of the lake, Ken pointed out things of interest - eagles, loons, historical sites. We made several stops and enjoyed brief hikes at each. He even stopped at the National Park visitor center so we could stamp our passport books. A delightful day with a great captain and tour guide.
Carol Cash-Berry
June 5, 2024Saved the Best For Last! I was fortunate enough to be able to book a private Rainy Lake / Voyageurs National Park tour with Rainy Lake Charters on short notice for... read more the last day of our stay in the area. Their website is set up to allow you to make a reservation on line, and without any trouble. After making the reservation I contacted Capt. Ken by phone just to confirm that the reservation went through, as it was done on relatively short notice. Time and place were set up and Capt. Ken reconfirmed the details in an email. My wife and I met him at the agreed upon time and place. Captain Ken went over the important safety details with us and off we went. For the full 2-1/2 hours, Captain Ken entertained and informed us of many things about Rainy Lake and Voyageurs Park that we would otherwise have never heard about. Captain Ken loves the area and is very passionate about all that the area has to offer and wanting to share it with others. This was evident throughout our entire tour. We made 2 stops during the tour - The Harry Oveson Fish Camp and Little American Island. These stops, as well as being interesting not just from what park service has to offer but also what Capt. Ken has to offer about them, also allowed for bathroom breaks, if needed. This private boat tour gave both of us feelings of exhilaration during it and afterwards. We both felt that we really got a good taste of the park. We had done a considerable amount of touring in the northern portion of Minnesota and Voyageurs Park during our week’s stay and saw and did many neat things. And as it turned out, we Saved The Best For Last! Thank you Captain Ken for a wonderful and memorable experience.
Paul Kita
May 11, 2024My wife and I signed up for the sunset cruise with Captain Ken. It was a wonderful experience and we learned a lot about the many islands. Ken gave us... read more the opportunity to tour a few islands, learning more about the history there. Captain Ken knew just where to capture the beautiful sunset. Thanks again Ken! We highly recommend this cruise!
Chris Woods
May 11, 2024Stephanie Weyhrauch
October 3, 2023Captain Ken treated us like family during our tour. We highly recommend and look forward to another visit!
Robert Yopps
September 18, 2023Captain Ken was able to water taxi us on less than a day's notice. Got there early, helped us load our gear, and friendly to boot! Worth the... read more money. Recommended.
Zach D
September 11, 2023Annie Albright
September 11, 2023Ken at Rainy Lake Charters was an excellent guide to Voyageurs National Park. He was right on time to our pickups and the transportation was excellent!
brian frankl
September 9, 2023My wife and I signed up for the sunset cruise with Captain Ken. It was a wonderful experience and we learned a lot about the many islands. Ken gave us... read more the opportunity to tour a few islands, learning more about the history there. Captain Ken knew just where to capture the beautiful sunset. Thanks again Ken! We highly recommend this cruise!
Chris Woods
September 9, 2023A group of 5 guys, myself included, hired Rainy Lake Charters to take us and gear to a Voyageurs campsite. Ken was very helpful in planning the adventure and... read more his service was both fast and very safety conscious. We always felt we were in very good hands.
Craig Garber
September 9, 2023If you are looking for water transportation at or around Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake look no further! Captain Ken is one of the nicest, honest, and most knowledgeable... read more captains in the area! He helped me plan a weekend getaway surprise for my husband. We came from out of state so it was not easy to plan, but he really took the time to help and answered all my questions. Thank you Captain Ken!
Cheri Crabb
September 9, 2023Saved the Best For Last! I was fortunate enough to be able to book a private Rainy Lake / Voyageurs National Park tour with Rainy Lake Charters on short... read more notice for the last day of our stay in the area. Their website is set up to allow you to make a reservation on line, and without any trouble. After making the reservation I contacted Capt. Ken by phone just to confirm that the reservation went through, as it was done on relatively short notice. Time and place were set up and Capt. Ken reconfirmed the details in an email. My wife and I met him at the agreed upon time and place. Captain Ken went over the important safety details with us and off we went. For the full 2-1/2 hours, Captain Ken entertained and informed us of many things about Rainy Lake and Voyageurs Park that we would otherwise have never heard about. Captain Ken loves the area and is very passionate about all that the area has to offer and wanting to share it with others. This was evident throughout our entire tour. We made 2 stops during the tour - The Harry Oveson Fish Camp and Little American Island. These stops, as well as being interesting not just from what park service has to offer but also what Capt. Ken has to offer about them, also allowed for bathroom breaks, if needed. This private boat tour gave both of us feelings of exhilaration during it and afterwards. We both felt that we really got a good taste of the park. We had done a considerable amount of touring in the northern portion of Minnesota and Voyageurs Park during our week’s stay and saw and did many neat things. And as it turned out, we Saved The Best For Last! Thank you Captain Ken for a wonderful and memorable experience.
Paul Kita
September 9, 2023 -
Highly recommending heading out on this tour. Very informative, personable, and a great eye for spotting bald eagles. Lovely trip.
Hannah McDonald
August 25, 2023We had such a blast on our tour! Ken was so knowledgeable about the entire area and had so many fun facts. He really let us make the trip our... read more own and made sure we were able to see and do everything we wanted to. He never ran out of things to talk about or show us in the 5.5 hr tour as we got to learn about the rich history of the park and surrounding areas. This is for sure the best way to see the park as a whole since you are able to dock and get off the boat and explore some islands! Since we had never being up here before, ken had so many recommendations on where to eat and go to see the beautiful areas around voyagers. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to see the park - it’s totally worth it 🙂
Emily Aube
August 21, 2023Landon Usher
August 20, 2023Strongly recommend Rainy Lake Charters. Had a wonderful 2 hour tour with Ken. He knows the area like the back of his hand and does a great job of... read more introducing you to the park and the lakes. He was on time, thorough and his communication was excellent. Will do another tour when we return.
A S
August 15, 2023He answered the phone right away and said he operates after October 1st based on weather, sometimes until Halloween.
Charles Keskel
August 8, 2023We loved our tour! Captain Ken was knowledgeable and welcoming. We stopped at two islands to walk around and explore. A great way to see the beautiful area!
Caroline Grano
August 1, 2023Had a great day exploring with Ken. He is a knowledgeable long time local with good stories! This is not a wine and cheese tour. Bring your own coffee for... read more chilly morning as well as drinks and snacks. He did provide water. There is no bathroom on the boat but plenty of interesting little stops that takes care of that. The water is too cold for a potty swim!! We especially loved the Kettle Falls hotel and had a nice lunch. Not much opportunity for wildlife but we saw Eagles and a nest as well as family of loons. We toured on a smaller pontoon boat since his fast boat was in the shop. I enjoyed the slower trip but my engine loving husband would have liked the muscle. Glad Ken made it work out. Great day.
Lori Nessler
July 25, 2023Beautiful cruise around Rainy Lake with Captain Ken. The morning of our trip there was some bad weather. He kept in good communication with us and was able... read more to get us out safely when the bad weather cleared. He was very informative during the tour. We would highly recommend a tour with him. We really enjoyed it.
Jeanette McDonald
July 25, 2023Captain Ken was fantastic. He is extremely knowledgeable of the waterways throughout the Voyagers National Park. We were so a happy that he was able to fit us into his... read more schedule the day before because we were unable to book the National Park sponsored tour. Not only did we experience the park via the boat, but we also stopped at two islands to take photos and learned about the history of the area. We also spotted several different variations of wildlife topped off by two Bald Eagles. We would highly recommend Captain Ken for your personal tour.
Ken Miratsky
July 22, 2023Great guide, very friendly and knowledgeable about the lake. Nice comfortable clean boat. Highly recommend!!
Wendy Nobles
July 22, 2023Captain Ken Meyer was awesome and personable! He knew a lot about the islands within the lake that made the boat tour much more enjoyable! He even allowed us to... read more visit one of the islands within Voyageurs National Park. I would recommend this to anyone.
L B
June 22, 2023What a great day on Lake Rainy! The trip was spur of moment and fortunately Ken could work us in next day. It was perfect! Ken was a great tour... read more guide. Very knowledgeable and answered all of our gazillion questions. He took us to a couple islands with points of interests maintained by NPS where we were able to get off and explore a little. The boat was clean, well maintained and he made sure we were safe and comfortable. We were a little disappointed that the NPS had not started the season of boat tours and we ended up spending a little more on the chartered tour with RL Charters, but the personal experience was worth it.
JoAnn Sugg
June 22, 2023Great tour, highly recommended!
Sergey Kishchenko
June 22, 2023Ken, owner of Rainy Lake Charters, was engaging, helpful and professional from the start. I left many messages trying to find someone who could take my friends and me out... read more to an island on short notice due to a staffing issue that resulted in a cancellation of our original plan. Ken quickly called me back and was helpful from the start. He described how he could fit our 3 kayaks, a cooler, camp kitchen and other gear onto his beautiful 26 ft. Searay. He met us at the visitor center, helped us with our gear, and told us about the areas we passed along our way to our campsite. He expertly navigated the rocks around the site and got us safely onto the island. All week long we talked about how easy he made it for us. While we could have paddled there, the ability to take extra gear made our week much more luxurious and enjoyable. Ken picked us up right on time upon our departure and communicated during the week given there was potential for stormy conditions at the time of our departure. Upon our inquiry, Ken told us his business, including his sunset tours, so we decided to take a tour when we got back to the mainland. It was simply exquisite! He shared so much information about the area, his love for beautiful Rainy Lake, and ensured we would see things in which we had interest, such as the mine on Little American Island. We were blessed with an incredible sunset and Ken took his time guiding us back to shore so we could enjoy the full extent of the sun’s drop into the lake’s horizon. In summary, Ken’s service was excellent and we all agreed we will reach out to him for future kayak trips. If any kayakers or canoeists wish to get further out in Rainy Lake or and/or simply want to take more supplies to enhance their time at the lake, give Ken a call!!
Lisa Radtke
May 11, 2023Captain Ken is a sharp man with a professional navigating system in his boat. He rode his boat with great confidence and made all 8 of my friends very comfortable.... read more Responds to text, and is kind and friendly. Very personable. He picked us up on time and got us to Shelland Island safe and sound. Super punctual. We will only use him to get around Rainy Lake. Thank you for making our Trip an unforgettable one!
Ena Torres
December 6, 2022Captain Ken was an amazing tour guide! He is very knowledgeable of Rainy Lake and Voyageurs National Park. We stopped at 3 islands on the lake, two of which we... read more were able to dock and explore. I highly recommend Captain Ken with Rainy Lake Charters for your Voyageurs experience!!
Gabrielle Winningham
November 6, 2022We had a wonderful day! Captain Ken took five of us out for a private tour Saturday Oct 1st. We rescued a dog swimming out in the open freezing water!... read more We caught the beginning of fall colors. We went out to Anderson Bay to hike the Andreas Bay overlook trail. The trail exceeded all of our expectations. There were beautiful fall colors, vibrant moss, breath catching overlooks from the cliffs of the bay. It was a treat to have Ken with us to tell us about the local plants, geology, and wildlife. We ate our picnic lunch at the dock after wrapping up the hike and then hit up Oveson Fishing camp and Little American Island, the only profitable gold mine in northern Minnesota, on the way back. Come to Rainey Lake in the fall and take a tour with Captain Ken! Highly recommend!
Teddie Vidolova
October 6, 2022Harold Xu
October 6, 2022Captain Ken knows what he’s doing! We will definitely be using his services again.
Xochilt Fregoso
October 6, 2022Excellent in all regards. A wonderful and informative afternoon on Rainy Lake with Ken.
Trish Nugent
October 6, 2022We had a great time on the Kettle Falls tour! Captain Ken was an excellent tour guide and boat driver, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone.
Amy Hertz
September 6, 2022Had a great time exploring the lake with Ken! He shared some interesting stories and was an excellent Voyageur National Park tour guide.
Tom Lapham
September 6, 2022We had a great time out on our tour. Captain Ken clearly knows and loves Rainy Lake. He worked with us when the weather didn't cooperate and we had to... read more adjust the tour to fit our schedule for the rest of the day, without skipping any of the highlights. We will book with him again for sure - next time for a much longer tour!
Jeff Fahrenholz
September 6, 2022Ken, owner of Rainy Lake Charters, was engaging, helpful and professional from the start. I left many messages trying to find someone who could take my friends and me out... read more to an island on short notice due to a staffing issue that resulted in a cancellation of our original plan. Ken quickly called me back and was helpful from the start. He described how he could fit our 3 kayaks, a cooler, camp kitchen and other gear onto his beautiful 26 ft. Searay. He met us at the visitor center, helped us with our gear, and told us about the areas we passed along our way to our campsite. He expertly navigated the rocks around the site and got us safely onto the island. All week long we talked about how easy he made it for us. While we could have paddled there, the ability to take extra gear made our week much more luxurious and enjoyable. Ken picked us up right on time upon our departure and communicated during the week given there was potential for stormy conditions at the time of our departure. Upon our inquiry, Ken told us his business, including his sunset tours, so we decided to take a tour when we got back to the mainland. It was simply exquisite! He shared so much information about the area, his love for beautiful Rainy Lake, and ensured we would see things in which we had interest, such as the mine on Little American Island. We were blessed with an incredible sunset and Ken took his time guiding us back to shore so we could enjoy the full extent of the sun’s drop into the lake’s horizon. In summary, Ken’s service was excellent and we all agreed we will reach out to him for future kayak trips. If any kayakers or canoeists wish to get further out in Rainy Lake or and/or simply want to take more supplies to enhance their time at the lake, give Ken a call!!
Lisa Radtke
September 6, 2022Really enjoyed the trip around Rainy Lake, seeing the park from the water and learning some history about the area. Would highly recommend Rainy Lake Charters!
Laura Bentley
August 22, 2022I had a problem with an Amazon delivery and I was left stuck with no way to get to my campsite in Voyageurs National Park. If it wasn't for Rainy... read more Lake Charters I would have missed my reservation. I had called him the day of my reservation at 5pm and he was able to pick up myself and my 2 travel companions and take us to our campsite. Great price and a great captain. I highly recommend Rainy Lake Charters for anyone visiting Voyageurs National Park!
Feels Good man
August 6, 2022Ken is a very good Captain and tour guide. Knowledgeable about the area. Good humor. Enjoyable journey.
fred rotter
August 6, 2022I used Captain Ken’s taxi service to get to Anderson Bay. He was very polite and very knowledgeable of the area. Even though we didn’t even get a tour he... read more still gave us a lot of interesting information about the area on our way to the drop off site. I would highly recommend his service and will be using it again if I find myself back at Voyageurs National Park.
Justin McMurtrey (TanTaloo)
August 6, 2022Captain Ken is by far the best charter on Rainy Lake. You are crazy if you pick anybody else. We had a fabulous sunset cruise, well over two hours,... read more saw everything we wanted. We had a great time!
Luke Konrath
August 6, 2022This is a great tour and the best way to experience Rainy Lake. Ken is very knowledgeable about history, boating, travel, and wildlife. He's got some great stories.... read more He is a genuinely nice guy and the kind of person who makes you feel comfortable right away. If you want to get stuck on a boat with someone for a couple of hours, Ken's the right person. He is very skillful on the boat and I felt completely safe. He is flexible and shifts the tour according to your preferences without rolling his eyes!! Highly recommended.
Milton Heber
August 6, 2022 -
We had a fabulous, safe and fun tour to kettle falls. Ken is fabulous and very knowledgeable of the lake and history of the area. He is a good captain... read more and would love to do the sunset tour with him next time. Personable!
Patricia Proffitt
August 6, 2022July 13, 2022 Just had an amazing boat tour with Captain Ken. If you want to see Voyageurs National Park from Rainy Lake, this is the route to take. Captain... read more Ken is extremely knowledgeable about all of the landmarks and navigating the water. It was a smooth, relaxing and enjoyable tour. We even got to pick wild blueberries at one of our stops. Captain Ken did a great job of pointing out the eagles and slowing down for photos.
Keith Bischoff
August 6, 2022Rainy Lakes Charters was outstanding, and I would choose them again in a heartbeat. We had been canceled on twice by another company and called Rainy Lakes Charters at 8am... read more on a whim, and 2 hours later we were on the water! Captain Ken was outstanding, giving my wife and I a wonderful tour while being extremely personable. His new Sea Ray boat was really comfortable and he made us feel right at home. It was a great ride to Kettle Falls, with eagle sightings, some great insight into the park and surrounding waters, and a lot of great views. I can't emphasize how outgoing and nice Captain Ken was, he really made us feel at home. Really great experience, highly recommended!
Scott Wasulko
July 13, 2022Excellent tour of Rainy Lake and its history! If you want a safety conscious captain who knows a ton about this special part of Voyageurs National Park, look no... read more further. Our family had a great time.
Mike Lucia
July 6, 2022Really enjoyed the trip around Rainy Lake, seeing the park from the water and learning some history about the area. Would highly recommend Rainy Lake Charters!
Laura Olinger
July 6, 2022I had a great time on Rainy Lake! Captain Ken called me after I booked to arrange a meeting point, and then texted the morning of to rearrange it due... read more to the flooding. He was very knowledgeable and made sure to show me all the best sights (including a very cool eagles nest!). It’s clear that he enjoys showing people around and sharing his knowledge of the lake and the park!
Angela Graham
June 30, 2022joe hancox
June 28, 2022Ken was fantastic! We used Rainy Lake Charters for water taxi services for drop-off and pick-up from our campsite, and Ken was such a huge help in our adventure. He... read more was always very informative, helpful, friendly, and flexible with us for the entire duration. Ken was a great guide as well and it was evident how much he loves what he does. Would definitely recommend and would certainly use his services again.
Tim Solberg
May 30, 2022Rainy Lake Charters was outstanding and can’t ask for a better day than out with Captain Ken. Navigated the flooded waters extremely well, still found ways to get us ashore... read more for a few adventures and extremely knowledgeable of the lake and area. Highly recommend!
Deanna and Brad Graham
May 30, 2022We had a blast with Ken at Rainy Lake Charters. He was knowledgeable, hospitable, and made for a wonderful trip for our family. We would highly recommend!
Kevin VanderKlok
January 6, 2022Captain Ken gave us a great tour on short notice after the National Park boat broke down. Knowledgeable and kid friendly! We did a 2.5 hr tour around the park... read more near rainy lake visitor center and got to get off on Little American Island for a mini hike. Also offered a longer half day tour that would go further out.
Dana Troy
January 6, 2022My wife and I wanted to take a half day tour on Rainy Lake, and we found Ken at Rainy Lake Charters to be flexible and accommodating. We gave... read more him a day and half notice and he made his schedule work for us. He picked us up at the dock behind where we were staying. He is knowledgeable, pleasant, and very safe. We learned a lot about the area, and he answered a lot of questions from us. We are so pleased with the tour and recommend Rainy Lake Charters.
Dave Souerwine
January 6, 2022Our cruise with Captain Ken was one of the highlights of our trip to Voyageurs National Park. Ken is knowledgeable and personable. Not only did he provide an opportunity to... read more experience the awesome beauty of the Park, but he also provided interesting information on the history and geology of the area. We would highly recommend a cruise with Captain Ken.
Carole Brady
January 6, 2022We decided to book a boat tour of Voyageuers National Park last minute & we were so thankful Captain Ken had an opening! We were picked up at the dock... read more where we are camping for the week, making it so very convenient! The boat was spacious & clean, having any & everything we might possibly need during our day trip. Having generational ties to the area & so much local history made Captain Ken very knowledgeable of Voyageuers National Park. Captain Ken was friendly & professional during our tour, making this one of the highlights of our summer tour of the northern boundary states. We highly recommend his private charter services for anyone visiting the International Falls area.
Kimberly Primavera
January 6, 2022It was an amazing experience
Gaurav Pandey
January 6, 2022Our trip was kind of last minute but the trip was amazing and ken was very informative and patient and showed around. Highly recommend this
eshan reddy
January 6, 2022It was great trip with ken. He was very cooperative, responsive and amazing person.
Nipun Reddy
January 6, 2022We had a great trip with Rainy Lake Charters. Captain Ken knew a lot about the history and natural features of the area. We saw an eagle diving and... read more catching a fish. We got out and did a walk around one of the islands. It was a great way to see Voyageurs National Park. Our original trip with Voyageur Outfitters which we had booked months in advance and was cancelled the morning of our tour. We were so bummed! But they recommended we call Captain Ken. He agreed to do a tour that same morning. Captain Ken made our day!
Bruce Palmer
January 6, 2022Captain Ken arrived early, his boat was clean, he was very professional and knowledgeable about the lake as well as the history of the area. It was a great experience... read more and I would recommend him to anyone!
Sandy Critelli
January 6, 2022Captain Ken answered my request for a tour very quickly, provided really clear information on what the tour would be. The tour was fun, informative, and the ONLY way to... read more see the park. The 2.5 hours flew by! It’s obvious he enjoys doing the tours, which made it that much more enjoyable for us. I would highly recommend Captain Ken to anyone.
Kari Carter
October 30, 2021I called Captain Ken to request a tour of a little known part of Rainy Lake. He accepted the challenge and arrived on time. Clearly a highly skilled and experienced... read more navigator of the area, he brought me to the spot and supported my safety as I explored it. He is super knowledgeable about Rainy Lake history and offered stops of interest and education on the tour. Can’t wait to call Rainy Lake Charters again. Thank you Ken!
Nancy H.
October 30, 2021We had a great cruise around rainy lake on a beautiful day in September. Our host was friendly, safe and shared lots of information. It was a beautiful fun afternoon!
Janet Essenpreis
October 30, 2021We highly recommend a tour of Voyageurs National Park with Rainy Lake Charters! We toured the lake, hiked some very awesome trails on a couple islands, and learned some history... read more about the park. Captain Ken is skilled, gracious, and very accommodating; even agreeing to our two small dogs joining us. Great experience we hope to repeat when we visit Voyageurs again. Shari and Ed Steadham October 13, 2021
Shari Steadham
October 30, 2021We were up in the Rainy Lake area staying at the Cantilever Hotel and were interested in exploring the lake via boat and a tour guide. We booked with Ken... read more last minute and had a fantastic time. He was very knowledgeable, interesting and a pleasure to spend a few hours with learning about the area. He was able to show us the beauty of the lake as well as a few bits of local history we would never have known. I can highly recommend him and will be back in the future (when it's warmer) for the sunset tour for sure!
Theresa Eichten
October 25, 2021Had a great time out on the water with Captain Ken!! He was very knowledgeable about the area. We stopped at few islands to do a little exploring. Seeing the... read more fall colors from the lake was a definite highlight of the weekend!
Rae Beaver
October 24, 2021Captain Ken answered my request for a tour very quickly, provided really clear information on what the tour would be. The tour was fun, informative, and the ONLY way to... read more see the park. The 2.5 hours flew by! It’s obvious he enjoys doing the tours, which made it that much more enjoyable for us. I would highly recommend Captain Ken to anyone.
Kari Carter
October 1, 2021Ben Forness
September 30, 2021We had a great trip with Rainy Lake Charters. Captain Ken knew a lot about the history and natural features of the area. We saw an eagle diving and... read more catching a fish. We got out and did a walk around one of the islands. It was a great way to see Voyageurs National Park. Our original trip with Voyageur Outfitters which we had booked months in advance and was cancelled the morning of our tour. We were so bummed! But they recommended we call Captain Ken. He agreed to do a tour that same morning. Captain Ken made our day!
Bruce Palmer
August 29, 2021What a nice experience. Our original boat tour reservation (through the National Park) was canceled, so we contacted Ken at the last minute. He was accommodating, knowledgeable and... read more professional. Not to mention fun and friendly. By the time the tour was over we were glad our originally scheduled tour was canceled. If there was a separate ranking for customer service, I'd give him a 6 star rating. ABSOLUTELY recommended.
Susan Trouteaud
August 27, 2021I called Rainy Lake Charters very last minute for information although I wasn’t yet sure of our schedule so I needed to call a few times to get a trip... read more set up. Captain Ken answered the phone personally each time I called and was pleasant and helpful and ended up tailoring a time for our needs. The boat was very nice and Ken was great. He asked our opinion on everything from where to go to how much to open the windshield to what kind of music we like. He answered all of our questions about the area. I learned that going by boat is the only way to really see the Rainy Lake area of the park. We enjoyed the trip very much. It looks as a great way to spend the afternoon!
Kris Van Roy
August 19, 2021 -
Had a fantastic morning cruise with Captain Ken. He tailored the route to our interests. Saw eagles and he made sure to maneuver the boat so we got some... read more great photos. He is so knowledgeable and really knows the fascinating history of the lake. Loved his stories of his 27 years on the lake. We really enjoyed his sense of adventure, fun, friendliness, and expertise. It was a wonderful experience having a cruise for just the 2 of us. We’d definitely recommend adding Rainy Lake Charters to your travel plans when visiting beautiful Voyageurs National Park. You will not be disappointed!
Mary Lee Blomgren
August 19, 2021Ken was incredibly helpful. He was flexible, responsive, and early. We appreciated how kind he was and it was enjoyable to hear more about the surrounding landscape as we all navigated... read more the lake. Ken cares. The weather had changed after our departure and he braved the waves all alone as our original trip length easily doubled on the way back. I'd highly recommend Ken to others not just because of his service, but because of his character.
Tyler Seidel
August 17, 2021Captain Ken took us “up the lake” on a perfect day for the lake (too hot for land). We stopped off for an island picnic and swim, sunbathed and fished... read more and headed home. The Beulah Grace was as smooth as silk and one member may or may not have napped below deck on the way home 😮 (I could not help it! It lulled me to sleep!). Ken is the easiest to be around and is filled with knowledge of Rainy Lake. Wonderful experience!!
Amy Brenengen
July 31, 2021Excellent tour of Rainy Lake and its history! If you want a safety conscious captain who knows a ton about this special part of Voyageurs National Park, look no... read more further. Our family had a great time.
Mike Lucia
July 6, 2022Really enjoyed the trip around Rainy Lake, seeing the park from the water and learning some history about the area. Would highly recommend Rainy Lake Charters!
Laura Olinger
July 6, 2022I had a great time on Rainy Lake! Captain Ken called me after I booked to arrange a meeting point, and then texted the morning of to rearrange it due... read more to the flooding. He was very knowledgeable and made sure to show me all the best sights (including a very cool eagles nest!). It’s clear that he enjoys showing people around and sharing his knowledge of the lake and the park!
Angela Graham
June 30, 2022joe hancox
June 28, 2022Ken was fantastic! We used Rainy Lake Charters for water taxi services for drop-off and pick-up from our campsite, and Ken was such a huge help in our adventure. He... read more was always very informative, helpful, friendly, and flexible with us for the entire duration. Ken was a great guide as well and it was evident how much he loves what he does. Would definitely recommend and would certainly use his services again.
Tim Solberg
May 30, 2022Rainy Lake Charters was outstanding and can’t ask for a better day than out with Captain Ken. Navigated the flooded waters extremely well, still found ways to get us ashore... read more for a few adventures and extremely knowledgeable of the lake and area. Highly recommend!
Deanna and Brad Graham
May 30, 2022We had a blast with Ken at Rainy Lake Charters. He was knowledgeable, hospitable, and made for a wonderful trip for our family. We would highly recommend!
Kevin VanderKlok
January 6, 2022Captain Ken gave us a great tour on short notice after the National Park boat broke down. Knowledgeable and kid friendly! We did a 2.5 hr tour around the park... read more near rainy lake visitor center and got to get off on Little American Island for a mini hike. Also offered a longer half day tour that would go further out.
Dana Troy
January 6, 2022My wife and I wanted to take a half day tour on Rainy Lake, and we found Ken at Rainy Lake Charters to be flexible and accommodating. We gave... read more him a day and half notice and he made his schedule work for us. He picked us up at the dock behind where we were staying. He is knowledgeable, pleasant, and very safe. We learned a lot about the area, and he answered a lot of questions from us. We are so pleased with the tour and recommend Rainy Lake Charters.
Dave Souerwine
January 6, 2022Our cruise with Captain Ken was one of the highlights of our trip to Voyageurs National Park. Ken is knowledgeable and personable. Not only did he provide an opportunity to... read more experience the awesome beauty of the Park, but he also provided interesting information on the history and geology of the area. We would highly recommend a cruise with Captain Ken.
Carole Brady
January 6, 2022We decided to book a boat tour of Voyageuers National Park last minute & we were so thankful Captain Ken had an opening! We were picked up at the dock... read more where we are camping for the week, making it so very convenient! The boat was spacious & clean, having any & everything we might possibly need during our day trip. Having generational ties to the area & so much local history made Captain Ken very knowledgeable of Voyageuers National Park. Captain Ken was friendly & professional during our tour, making this one of the highlights of our summer tour of the northern boundary states. We highly recommend his private charter services for anyone visiting the International Falls area.
Kimberly Primavera
January 6, 2022It was an amazing experience
Gaurav Pandey
January 6, 2022Our trip was kind of last minute but the trip was amazing and ken was very informative and patient and showed around. Highly recommend this
eshan reddy
January 6, 2022It was great trip with ken. He was very cooperative, responsive and amazing person.
Nipun Reddy
January 6, 2022We had a great trip with Rainy Lake Charters. Captain Ken knew a lot about the history and natural features of the area. We saw an eagle diving and... read more catching a fish. We got out and did a walk around one of the islands. It was a great way to see Voyageurs National Park. Our original trip with Voyageur Outfitters which we had booked months in advance and was cancelled the morning of our tour. We were so bummed! But they recommended we call Captain Ken. He agreed to do a tour that same morning. Captain Ken made our day!
Bruce Palmer
January 6, 2022Captain Ken arrived early, his boat was clean, he was very professional and knowledgeable about the lake as well as the history of the area. It was a great experience... read more and I would recommend him to anyone!
Sandy Critelli
January 6, 2022Captain Ken answered my request for a tour very quickly, provided really clear information on what the tour would be. The tour was fun, informative, and the ONLY way to... read more see the park. The 2.5 hours flew by! It’s obvious he enjoys doing the tours, which made it that much more enjoyable for us. I would highly recommend Captain Ken to anyone.
Kari Carter
October 30, 2021I called Captain Ken to request a tour of a little known part of Rainy Lake. He accepted the challenge and arrived on time. Clearly a highly skilled and experienced... read more navigator of the area, he brought me to the spot and supported my safety as I explored it. He is super knowledgeable about Rainy Lake history and offered stops of interest and education on the tour. Can’t wait to call Rainy Lake Charters again. Thank you Ken!
Nancy H.
October 30, 2021We had a great cruise around rainy lake on a beautiful day in September. Our host was friendly, safe and shared lots of information. It was a beautiful fun afternoon!
Janet Essenpreis
October 30, 2021We highly recommend a tour of Voyageurs National Park with Rainy Lake Charters! We toured the lake, hiked some very awesome trails on a couple islands, and learned some history... read more about the park. Captain Ken is skilled, gracious, and very accommodating; even agreeing to our two small dogs joining us. Great experience we hope to repeat when we visit Voyageurs again. Shari and Ed Steadham October 13, 2021
Shari Steadham
October 30, 2021We were up in the Rainy Lake area staying at the Cantilever Hotel and were interested in exploring the lake via boat and a tour guide. We booked with Ken... read more last minute and had a fantastic time. He was very knowledgeable, interesting and a pleasure to spend a few hours with learning about the area. He was able to show us the beauty of the lake as well as a few bits of local history we would never have known. I can highly recommend him and will be back in the future (when it's warmer) for the sunset tour for sure!
Theresa Eichten
October 25, 2021Had a great time out on the water with Captain Ken!! He was very knowledgeable about the area. We stopped at few islands to do a little exploring. Seeing the... read more fall colors from the lake was a definite highlight of the weekend!
Rae Beaver
October 24, 2021Captain Ken answered my request for a tour very quickly, provided really clear information on what the tour would be. The tour was fun, informative, and the ONLY way to... read more see the park. The 2.5 hours flew by! It’s obvious he enjoys doing the tours, which made it that much more enjoyable for us. I would highly recommend Captain Ken to anyone.
Kari Carter
October 1, 2021Ben Forness
September 30, 2021We had a great trip with Rainy Lake Charters. Captain Ken knew a lot about the history and natural features of the area. We saw an eagle diving and... read more catching a fish. We got out and did a walk around one of the islands. It was a great way to see Voyageurs National Park. Our original trip with Voyageur Outfitters which we had booked months in advance and was cancelled the morning of our tour. We were so bummed! But they recommended we call Captain Ken. He agreed to do a tour that same morning. Captain Ken made our day!
Bruce Palmer
August 29, 2021What a nice experience. Our original boat tour reservation (through the National Park) was canceled, so we contacted Ken at the last minute. He was accommodating, knowledgeable and... read more professional. Not to mention fun and friendly. By the time the tour was over we were glad our originally scheduled tour was canceled. If there was a separate ranking for customer service, I'd give him a 6 star rating. ABSOLUTELY recommended.
Susan Trouteaud
August 27, 2021I called Rainy Lake Charters very last minute for information although I wasn’t yet sure of our schedule so I needed to call a few times to get a trip... read more set up. Captain Ken answered the phone personally each time I called and was pleasant and helpful and ended up tailoring a time for our needs. The boat was very nice and Ken was great. He asked our opinion on everything from where to go to how much to open the windshield to what kind of music we like. He answered all of our questions about the area. I learned that going by boat is the only way to really see the Rainy Lake area of the park. We enjoyed the trip very much. It looks as a great way to spend the afternoon!
Kris Van Roy
August 19, 2021
Private Rainy Lake and Voyageurs National Park Tour:
FAQ’S
We have tried to answer your questions here.
The weather on Rainy Lake can change from one part of the lake to another. We monitor weather reports and will keep you up to date. If severe weather moves in or lightning strikes within 5 miles we will not leave the dock. If we are already under way we will find the closest place to land and let it blow over. We will never charge you for a weather-related cancelation.
Camera, sunscreen, music, towels if planning on swimming.
Here is what Rainy Lake Charters are committed to doing before your cruise:
Sanitize every high-touch surface
Use cleaners approved by health experts, like disinfectants with 70% alcohol or higher
Refer to our extensive checklists while cleaning all areas of the boat
Wash and disinfect all Life Jackets
Comply with local laws, including any additional safety or cleaning guidelines
We provide an experienced captain, a great sound system that can be connected to your mobile devices, cups and cooler with ice and bottled water.
Life jackets for all onboard (You can also bring your own if you want)
All tours and Water Taxi’s: More than 48 Hours prior to departure 100% refund
Less 48 hours prior to departure 75% refund