Voyageurs National Park

🇺🇸 United States

🦅 Bald Eagle Glides Voyageurs Waterways
🌍 #268 Global · 3.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #49 in North America #55 in Temperate Forest
United States, United States 403 spp. recorded

Voyageurs National Park is a water-based wilderness of interconnected lakes, rocky islands, and dense boreal forests tucked along the northern border of Minnesota. Waterways dominate the terrain, creating a labyrinth of channels, hidden bays, and shorelines framed by towering pines and ancient rock. Visitors explore this vast aquatic realm primarily by boat or across winter ice.

48.505° N   92.942° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Gray Wolf ★
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

10–20% · With luck
Bald Eagle ★
LC

Bald Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

40–50% · Likely
Common Loon ★
LC

Common Loon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gavia immer

40–50% · Likely
Elk ★
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Blue Jay
LC

Blue Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta cristata

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

60–70% · Likely
American Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

American Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

60–70% · Likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Black-capped Chickadee
LC

Black-capped Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile atricapillus

60–70% · Likely
Red-eyed Vireo
LC

Red-eyed Vireo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vireo olivaceus

50–60% · Likely
White-throated Sparrow
LC

White-throated Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia albicollis

50–60% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

50–60% · Likely
Song Sparrow
LC Endemic

Song Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melospiza melodia

50–60% · Likely
Ring-billed Gull
LC

Ring-billed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus delawarensis

50–60% · Likely
Red-breasted Nuthatch
LC

Red-breasted Nuthatch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sitta canadensis

50–60% · Likely
Painted Turtle
LC

Painted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chrysemys picta

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Gray Wolf ★
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

10–20% · With luck
Elk ★
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

American Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

American Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

60–70% · Likely
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

50–60% · Likely
Eastern Chipmunk
LC

Eastern Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias striatus

40–50% · Likely
American Beaver
LC

American Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor canadensis

20–30% · Possible
Northern River Otter
LC Endemic

Northern River Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lontra canadensis

20–30% · Possible
Snowshoe Hare
LC

Snowshoe Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus americanus

10–20% · With luck
Northern Short-tailed Shrew
LC

Northern Short-tailed Shrew

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Blarina brevicauda

Insufficient data
Least Chipmunk

Least Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias minimus

Insufficient data
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

Insufficient data
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

Insufficient data
Woodchuck
LC

Woodchuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota monax

Insufficient data
🐒 No photo available
LC

Striped Skunk

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Mephitis mephitis

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Bald Eagle ★
LC

Bald Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

40–50% · Likely
Common Loon ★
LC

Common Loon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gavia immer

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Blue Jay
LC

Blue Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta cristata

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

60–70% · Likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Black-capped Chickadee
LC

Black-capped Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile atricapillus

60–70% · Likely
Red-eyed Vireo
LC

Red-eyed Vireo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vireo olivaceus

50–60% · Likely
White-throated Sparrow
LC

White-throated Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia albicollis

50–60% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

50–60% · Likely
Song Sparrow
LC Endemic

Song Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melospiza melodia

50–60% · Likely
Ring-billed Gull
LC

Ring-billed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus delawarensis

50–60% · Likely
Red-breasted Nuthatch
LC

Red-breasted Nuthatch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sitta canadensis

50–60% · Likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

40–50% · Likely
Black-and-white Warbler
LC

Black-and-white Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mniotilta varia

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Painted Turtle
LC

Painted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chrysemys picta

50–60% · Likely
Common Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Common Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis sirtalis

50–60% · Likely
Redbelly Snake
LC

Redbelly Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Storeria occipitomaculata

20–30% · Possible
Snapping Turtle
LC

Snapping Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelydra serpentina

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

American Toad
LC Endemic

American Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus americanus

50–60% · Likely
Green Frog

Green Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates clamitans

30–40% · Possible
Northern Leopard Frog
LC

Northern Leopard Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates pipiens

30–40% · Possible
Gray Treefrog
LC

Gray Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dryophytes versicolor

20–30% · Possible
Wood Frog
LC

Wood Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates sylvaticus

20–30% · Possible
Blue-spotted Salamander
LC

Blue-spotted Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ambystoma laterale

Insufficient data
Spring Peeper
LC

Spring Peeper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pseudacris crucifer

Insufficient data
Eastern Newt
LC

Eastern Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Notophthalmus viridescens

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦎

Spring Ice-Out and Amphibian Awakening

AprMay

As the thick winter ice melts across the sprawling lake networks, the American Toad and the Painted Turtle emerge to breed and bask in the returning warmth.

Painted Turtle
LC

Painted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chrysemys picta

50–60% · Likely
American Toad
LC Endemic

American Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus americanus

50–60% · Likely
🐦

Summer Nesting and Waterway Activity

JunJulAug

Long summer days bring peak biological activity, where the Common Loon fiercely tends to its chicks on open waters while the Green Frog calls from the reedy shallows.

Common Loon
LC

Common Loon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gavia immer

40–50% · Likely
Green Frog

Green Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates clamitans

30–40% · Possible
🐦

Autumn Boreal Migration and Preparation

SepOct

As the boreal forest turns vibrant shades of gold and red, the Yellow-rumped Warbler journeys southward while the Eastern Chipmunk busily gathers seeds for winter.

Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

60–70% · Likely
Eastern Chipmunk
LC

Eastern Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias striatus

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Gray Wolf
5–10
5–10
<5
<5
<5
10–20
<5
10–20
40–50
5–10
5–10
40–50
Bald Eagle
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
Common Loon
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
Elk
5–10
5–10
5–10
5–10
<5
30–40
<5
<5
<5
5–10
10–20
10–20
Blue Jay
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Yellow-rumped Warbler
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
American Red Squirrel
70–80
40–50
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
American Crow
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Black-capped Chickadee
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
Red-eyed Vireo
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
80–90
70–80
50–60
30–40
20–30
50–60
50–60
White-throated Sparrow
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
American Robin
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
Song Sparrow
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
20–30
10–20
20–30
50–60
50–60
Ring-billed Gull
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
Red-breasted Nuthatch
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
Painted Turtle
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🦎 Spring Ice-Out and Amphibian Awakening
🐦 Summer Nesting and Waterway Activity
🐦 Autumn Boreal Migration and Preparation

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦅 Bald Eagle Glides Voyageurs Waterways

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
311
🐒 Mammals
67
🦎 Reptiles
4
🐸 Amphibians
21
403 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
14 Threatened 54 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
59%
📊
Coverage (111 species at ≥5% of 403 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
28%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 1 mammal, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
39%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
82
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
4
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
24

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Voyageurs National Park?

The most likely sightings are Blue Jay (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Yellow-rumped Warbler (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), American Red Squirrel (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), American Crow (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Black-capped Chickadee (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 403 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Voyageurs National Park for wildlife?

July has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Gray Wolf in Voyageurs National Park?

Yes — about 16% of wildlife watchers report a Gray Wolf sighting in Voyageurs National Park, based on 7 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Bald Eagle in Voyageurs National Park?

Yes — about 47% of wildlife watchers report a Bald Eagle sighting in Voyageurs National Park, based on 131 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Common Loon in Voyageurs National Park?

Yes — about 45% of wildlife watchers report a Common Loon sighting in Voyageurs National Park, based on 126 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Elk in Voyageurs National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 12% of wildlife watchers report a Elk sighting in Voyageurs National Park, based on 2 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

⚖️

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