HB Ebel’s N9 Houseboat Campsite, Kettle Falls, MN

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans and local adventurers, the idea of a completely immersive wilderness experience often involves water, and there is no better way to explore the vast, lake-dotted landscape of Voyageurs National Park than by houseboat. The HB Ebel’s N9 Houseboat Campsite is not a traditional tent campground, but rather a designated, permitted

mooring location

on the pristine shores of Namakan Lake, reserved exclusively for self-contained houseboats, cabin cruisers, or sailboats.

This site, identified as N9 and often associated with Ebel's Voyageur Houseboats (one of the park’s long-standing authorized concessionaires), provides a vital piece of infrastructure for what is arguably the most unique way to camp in the state: spending the night aboard your floating home. Voyageurs National Park operates on a "water-only" access model, meaning these houseboat campsites are your essential anchors in the heart of the Northwoods. Located in a scenic cove or along an undeveloped shoreline, the N9 site allows visitors to safely moor up to two houseboats overnight, offering a designated point of land for campfires and shore access while adhering to the park's strict wilderness and 'pack-it-in, pack-it-out' guidelines. It represents the perfect blend of modern comfort from your vessel and immediate access to Minnesota’s true, raw wilderness.

Location and Accessibility

The HB Ebel’s N9 Houseboat Campsite is located on Namakan Lake, one of the four major interconnected lakes that form the watery backbone of Voyageurs National Park. The official general location is marked by the geo-location code

CCG8+3XM, Kettle Falls, MN 55725, USA

, placing it near the historic Kettle Falls area where Namakan Lake connects to Rainy Lake.

Accessibility is strictly by water:

This site is a

Houseboat Mooring Site

, meaning it is only accessible via a registered vessel that qualifies as a houseboat (containing sleeping, cooking, and a no-discharge toilet facility). Visitors will typically rent a houseboat from an authorized outfitter based in one of the gateway communities like Ash River, Crane Lake, or Kabetogama, or utilize their own qualifying boat.

The journey to N9 will involve navigating the wide-open waters of Namakan Lake. While the Kettle Falls area is a popular destination, all visitors must be self-sufficient and capable of navigating the large, buoy-marked water system using park charts. The site itself is an undeveloped shoreline area designated for mooring, often featuring a small beach or a rocky landing. The use of a small, motorized 'runner boat' (often included with rentals) towed behind the houseboat is essential for exploring the site and nearby islands. Houseboats are required to

beach or anchor

at the site; dedicated boat docks are not provided for houseboats, which keeps the shoreline experience authentic and minimal.

Services Offered

As an officially designated National Park Service houseboat site, N9 provides essential amenities for a permitted overnight stay, though its services are tailored to complement the self-contained nature of the vessel.

Overnight Mooring: The site is reserved for overnight stay (with a permit) and allows a maximum of two houseboats to moor at the location simultaneously.
Mooring Aids: Designated houseboat sites generally feature mooring posts, rings, or other aids on shore to help secure the vessels in a protected area.
Campfire Facility: One metal fire ring is provided on the land for permitted campfires. Visitors must use only dead and downed wood collected from the ground and are encouraged to bring their own packaged firewood (no chainsaws are allowed).
Land Access: Provides the opportunity to step ashore for a campfire, relaxation, and wildlife viewing, though visitors must adhere to all park rules regarding pets and trash.
No-Discharge Zone Compliance: The site is located in an area where all houseboat waste must be contained within the vessel’s no-discharge toilet and holding tanks.
Permit Required: An overnight Houseboat Permit, obtained via
Recreation.gov
, is mandatory for all overnight stays at this location between May 1 and October 31.
Bear Safety: All food, trash, and toiletries must be stored securely
inside the houseboat
, not on the land. Designated bear lockers are not provided at houseboat sites as the boat is the secure storage unit.

Features / Highlights

The appeal of HB Ebel’s N9 is intrinsically linked to the unparalleled experience of houseboating in Voyageurs National Park, offering local users unique features distinct from traditional camping.

Exclusive Water Access: Allows for immediate, 24/7 access to the vast interconnected lakes for fishing, swimming, and exploring the over 500 islands in the park.
Gateway to Kettle Falls: The site's location near Kettle Falls makes it an ideal stopover for houseboaters planning to visit the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, a park landmark accessible only by water.
Unrivaled Privacy: Houseboat sites are generally spaced out across the lakes, offering a level of solitude and natural quiet that is difficult to find at conventional drive-in campgrounds.
Self-Contained Comfort: The houseboat itself acts as the primary 'feature,' providing a full kitchen, bathroom, and comfortable sleeping quarters, which is especially suitable for families or multi-generational groups.
Stargazing Opportunities: Being miles away from any major city or road, the Namakan Lake area offers world-class dark skies, perfect for viewing the Milky Way and potentially the Aurora Borealis.
World-Class Fishing: Namakan Lake is renowned for its excellent walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass fishing, with the N9 site providing a perfect, mobile base for early morning or late evening angling.

Contact Information

As HB Ebel’s N9 is a National Park Service mooring site often associated with a concessionaire, the contact information is split between the park's administrative body and the nearest houseboat rental provider.

Site Address (General Location):

CCG8+3XM, Kettle Falls, MN 55725, USA

For Overnight Permits and Reservations:

All Houseboat Overnight Permits are mandatory and must be reserved through the

Recreation.gov

website or app. Search for Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits.

For Voyageurs National Park General Information (Headquarters):

(218) 283-6600

For Houseboat Rentals/Local Service (Ebel's Houseboats, Ash River Base):

(While this site is not run by them, it's often a reference point for this area's houseboat traffic) Check online for current phone numbers and addresses for the nearest base of operation.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

HB Ebel’s N9 Houseboat Campsite, and the houseboating experience it enables, is uniquely suitable for Minnesota locals because it taps into the state's deep, cultural connection with its lakes and waterways. Minnesotans understand the vastness and the distinct challenges and rewards of water-based travel, and this site provides the ultimate expression of a northern Minnesota vacation. It transforms the act of camping from a terrestrial activity into an aquatic journey.

This experience is perfect for locals who want to host a gathering, a family reunion, or a multi-day fishing trip in an environment that remains completely undeveloped and wild. Unlike booking an expensive cabin, the houseboat grants you a new 'lakefront property' every day, and the N9 site is a designated, safe harbor in that mobile world. It removes the stress of finding an impromptu mooring location while still preserving the pure, uncrowded isolation that Minnesotans cherish in their parks. For a unique, comfortable, and truly local wilderness adventure, securing an overnight permit for N9 on Namakan Lake is the key to unlocking the full magic of Voyageurs National Park.