HB Eks Bay K47 Houseboat Campsite, Orr, MN

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans who believe the best way to explore the North Woods is by water, the HB Eks Bay K47 Houseboat Campsite represents the pinnacle of a unique, boat-based vacation. Located within the magnificent and vast waterways of Voyageurs National Park (VNP), this site is not a traditional tent campground, but a designated shore location for mooring houseboats. It offers the ideal blend of rugged national park wilderness and the comfort and mobility of a self-contained vessel.

The Eks Bay K47 site is situated on the shores of Lake Kabetogama, one of the park’s four major interconnected lakes. This area is renowned for its stunning, rugged shoreline, excellent fishing, and access to the interior Kabetogama Peninsula hiking trails. A houseboat vacation at a designated site like K47 allows visitors to carry their entire vacation base—kitchen, beds, and all—with them, anchoring nightly at a designated, secluded location. The appeal is the ability to travel extensively during the day, exploring islands, historical sites, and fishing hot spots, then pulling into a reserved spot on the shoreline for a private, relaxing evening around a campfire. It's truly a distinctive Minnesota experience, swapping the tent for the deck and the drive-in lot for the open water.

Location and Accessibility

The HB Eks Bay K47 Houseboat Campsite is located on Kabetogama Lake, generally addressed as 86W9F582+9M, Orr, MN 55771, USA. This address is a general geographic marker for the area and confirms its placement deep within the water-dominated region of northern Minnesota. However, accessibility is entirely by water—it is not a drive-in location.

Access to the site begins at one of the VNP gateway communities, such as Orr, Ash River, or Kabetogama. Visitors must rent a houseboat or bring their own vessel that meets the park's definition of a houseboat (including sleeping facilities, cooking facilities, and a marine sanitation device). From the boat launch, the route involves navigating the expansive waters of Lake Kabetogama to Eks Bay. The location is on the northern side of the lake, offering excellent proximity to the Kabetogama Peninsula's interior.

Houseboat permits are required for overnight stays and are non-site-specific, meaning the K47 site is available on a first-come, first-served basis for permitted houseboaters. The site itself features a shoreline landing—often sand or rock—where the houseboat can be beached or securely tied up to mooring posts/rings for the night. This location provides a private, reserved beach access to the land, an essential feature for the ultimate water-based camping trip.

Services Offered

As a designated National Park Service (NPS) houseboat site, HB Eks Bay K47 provides essential land-based amenities to support comfortable and responsible overnight stays aboard a self-contained vessel.

Designated Mooring Area: The primary service is a clearly marked, reserved section of shoreline—often a sand or rock beach landing—where up to two houseboats can securely moor for the night using the provided mooring posts or rings.

Outdoor Privy: A basic vault toilet (privy) is available on the shore for convenient and sanitary waste disposal while utilizing the land-based site.

Fire Ring: A sturdy metal fire ring or grate is installed for cooking and campfires on the shore. Visitors must supply their own firewood and adhere to all park fire regulations.

Land Access: The site provides regulated and safe access from the water to the land, offering a place to stretch legs, cook dinner over a campfire, and enjoy the scenery away from the houseboat deck.

Leave No Trace Infrastructure: Though primitive, the site provides the necessary infrastructure (privy, fire ring, defined mooring) to help visitors adhere to vital Leave No Trace principles, ensuring the shoreline remains pristine for all users.

Features / Highlights

HB Eks Bay K47 is a destination prized for its location and the quality of the immersive experience it provides.

Proximity to Kabetogama Peninsula Trails: A major highlight is the site’s strategic location near the Kabetogama Peninsula. Eks Bay is a common access point for the backcountry trailheads, allowing houseboaters to easily disembark for a day of rigorous hiking and exploration of the peninsula's interior lakes and forests.

Excellent Walleye and Northern Pike Fishing: Kabetogama Lake is one of the premier fishing destinations in Minnesota. Mooring in Eks Bay places visitors in a prime location to fish for abundant Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass right from the houseboat or a smaller accompanying fishing boat.

Sheltered Mooring: Eks Bay offers a degree of protection from the open water. In a park where high winds can quickly turn the large lakes into dangerously choppy water, a sheltered bay mooring provides crucial safety and a peaceful overnight stay.

Dark Skies & Northern Lights Viewing: The remote location in VNP, a certified International Dark Sky Park, ensures phenomenal stargazing. The site offers a fantastic viewpoint for watching meteor showers and, during periods of high solar activity, the spectacular Aurora Borealis.

True Water-Based Vacation: The ability to move your lodging to a new private spot each day is a freedom unmatched by traditional camping. This allows for a comprehensive exploration of Kabetogama Lake, including scenic cliffs, historic sites, and various islands.

Contact Information

All permits and key information for houseboating in the park are managed through the National Park Service and the national reservation system.

Address (General Park Headquarters):

Voyageurs National Park Headquarters

360 Highway 11 East

International Falls, MN 56649

Phone (Reservations and Park Information):

Voyageurs National Park Visitor Centers: (218) 875-2111 (Kabetogama) or (218) 374-3221 (Ash River)

Houseboat Permit Reservations (Required): 1-877-444-6777 (Recreation.gov)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The HB Eks Bay K47 Houseboat Campsite is uniquely suited for Minnesotans, providing a truly local-favorite twist on the traditional North Woods escape. For a population accustomed to lake life and boating culture, houseboating in VNP is the logical evolution of a cabin getaway or a fishing trip. It merges the familiar comfort of a small home with the immersion of remote wilderness, eliminating the logistical hassle of setting up and tearing down a tent multiple times.

This experience appeals to locals who value their independence and desire a high degree of seclusion without sacrificing basic comforts. The ability to anchor on a quiet beach, listen to the loons, and be entirely self-contained while having direct access to prime fishing and the challenging trails of the Kabetogama Peninsula solidifies its appeal. It represents a quintessential Minnesota water adventure: rugged enough to feel like a wilderness trip, yet comfortable enough to bring the entire family for a week of unparalleled exploration and relaxation on the state's beautiful boundary waters.