CRANE LAKE, Minn. — Voyageurs National Park celebrated a milestone with the grand opening of its newest visitor center in Crane Lake on June 6, 2025. This development completes the park’s network of visitor centers across all four gateway communities, coinciding with the park’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
Situated at the southeastern edge of the park on the south shore of Crane Lake, the new facility enhances access to both Voyageurs and the surrounding wilderness areas, including the Boundary Waters to the east and Quetico Provincial Park in Canada to the north.
The opening ceremony drew a large crowd of local residents, park supporters, and officials, including state legislators, county commissioners, and U.S. Senator Tina Smith. During her remarks, Senator Smith recalled spotting moose calves en route from Duluth, emphasizing the importance of the new center for community engagement and conservation efforts.
“This incredible building is the fruit of the community’s collective efforts, and it will play a vital role in the park’s future,” she said.
The project’s completion marked the end of an eight-year development process, supported by multiple agencies such as the Minnesota Legislature, the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, which allocates state lottery funds. The initiative also honors the legacy of late state Sen. David Tomassoni and state Rep. David Dill, early advocates for the visitor center.
Local representatives, including Republican Rep. Roger Skraba and DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild, stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation in realizing the project. “When people from different parties work together, it shows the community that collaboration is possible,” Skraba noted.
While some Crane Lake residents initially opposed both the national park and the visitor center, attitudes have shifted over time. “Once the center started taking shape, opinions changed,” Skraba reflected. “Now there’s a real sense of pride in what’s been accomplished.”
Resident Nancy Beste expressed optimism that the visitor center will foster a stronger community connection to the park. “This is our home and our responsibility,” she said. “Having a place like this helps us take ownership and shape how we protect and share it.”
Since its soft opening two weeks prior, the center has welcomed more than 400 visitors. Beste highlighted the center’s potential to attract new visitors and deepen their understanding of the region.
Voyageurs Conservancy Executive Director Christina Hausman Rhode outlined plans for permanent exhibits that will highlight underrepresented narratives within the park, including its diverse waterways, Indigenous heritage, and the significance of dark skies.
The Crane Lake Visitor Center stands as a testament to long-term community commitment and marks a significant addition to Voyageurs National Park’s offerings as it approaches its half-century milestone.
