HB Leach Bay S22 Houseboat (Rock Landing) Campsite

- 86W99FV4+X4, Crane Lake, MN 55725

For Minnesotans who truly understand that the state's best 'camping' happens on the water, the **HB Leach Bay S22 Houseboat (Rock Landing) Campsite** represents the ultimate gateway to the aquatic wilderness of Voyageurs National Park. Unlike traditional tent sites, this location is purpose-built for those who choose to explore the Northwoods with the comforts of home floating beneath them. It is one of the designated spots within the park where a houseboat can legally moor overnight, offering a private, secluded shoreline spot on the vast, interconnected water system.

The use of a houseboat is a time-honored Minnesota tradition, providing a unique blend of self-contained luxury and wild isolation. The HB Leach Bay S22 site, located in the quiet waters of Leach Bay on Sand Point Lake, caters specifically to this experience. It allows guests to anchor their temporary floating home in a secure, designated area that remains accessible only by water, perfectly preserving the surrounding environment and the quiet solitude Minnesotans crave.

This is not a tent site; it is a mooring location designed to accommodate houseboats, cabin cruisers, or sailboats. It offers the basic, essential land-based amenities to complement the self-sufficiency of the vessel. For locals familiar with the logistics of Voyageurs, having a reserved houseboat spot like S22 means securing a prime piece of shoreline where they can safely stop, build a campfire, and truly immerse themselves in the deep wilderness that defines this National Park.

The **HB Leach Bay S22 Houseboat Campsite** is strategically located in Leach Bay, an inlet on the picturesque **Sand Point Lake**—one of the four major lakes making up the body of Voyageurs National Park. Sand Point Lake is known for its rugged beauty, clear waters, and proximity to the historic Kettle Falls area, and forms part of the border lake chain.

The site’s general location is near the southern gateway community of:

Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA

Geographic Coordinates (Approximate Locator):

86W99FV4+X4 (Note: This is a Plus Code for a general location in the area, indicating its deep wilderness setting)

**Accessibility** to HB Leach Bay S22 is exclusively **Boat-In**. This site is accessible from the Crane Lake area, requiring navigation across the water. As a houseboat site, the landing is characterized by a **rock landing**—often a gradual, rugged shoreline that provides a natural place for the houseboat or accompanying runabout to beach or moor. Unlike some tent sites, houseboat sites typically do not have permanent crib docks, reinforcing the self-contained nature of the houseboat itself. Houseboaters must have a valid permit, which is secured in advance, allowing them to legally moor in this specific, secluded bay area. The distance from the nearest visitor center (likely Crane Lake or Ash River) emphasizes its isolated, true-wilderness feel.

The services at HB Leach Bay S22 are designed to support the needs of a self-contained houseboat or similar large watercraft, rather than providing infrastructure for tent camping. The amenities are simple, focusing on safe mooring and essential land use provisions.

• **Mooring Capacity:** Designed to accommodate a maximum of **two houseboats** at a time, ensuring a semi-private experience even with a shared site.
• **Water Access Type:** Features a **Rock Landing**, which is the designated shoreline access point for beaching the houseboat or a runabout (a small boat used for shore excursions).
• **Fire Provision:** Includes **one designated metal fire ring with a cooking grate**, allowing for safe shore-side campfires for warmth and cooking, using dead and downed wood gathered nearby.
• **Sanitation:** Equipped with **one dedicated outdoor vault privy** (toilet) for sanitary waste disposal from those utilizing the land. Houseboats themselves must have their own toilet facilities (no-discharge systems).
• **Land Use:** Provides a clear shoreline area for safe mooring and access to the basic land amenities. Note: **Tent camping is NOT permitted** at this site. Guests must sleep on the houseboat.
• **Bear Safety:** Though not explicitly listed for all houseboat sites, visitors are required to follow all park guidelines for **bear-proof food storage**, which includes securing trash and any food or scented items within the vessel or in a personal bear container, as houseboats are considered bear-resistant when secured.

The primary appeal of the HB Leach Bay S22 site lies in the unique wilderness freedom it provides to houseboat enthusiasts.

• **Designated Houseboat Mooring:** This is a reserved, legal spot for overnight houseboat stays, which is crucial for trip planning in the park's limited designated sites.
• **Rock Landing Experience:** The natural rock landing provides an authentic, rugged feel, allowing the houseboat to be beached in a traditional Northwoods manner, different from the more developed docks of some tent sites.
• **Seclusion in Leach Bay:** The bay's location on Sand Point Lake generally offers more tranquility and protection from wind and large waves than mooring on the main lake channels, ensuring a peaceful night’s rest.
• **Gateway to Sand Point Lake:** This location is ideal for exploring the distinct natural and historical features of Sand Point Lake, including the Narrows and the eastern access points to the park.
• **Flexible and Comfortable Camping:** Houseboating in Voyageurs combines the ability to move and explore vast distances with the comfort of having a full kitchen, bathroom, and beds accessible at all times.
• **Stargazing and Wildlife:** Being deep within the national park, the site offers world-class opportunities for night sky viewing—including the potential to see the Aurora Borealis—and unparalleled chances for watching local wildlife like loons, eagles, and moose.

All reservations and permits for the HB Leach Bay S22 Houseboat Campsite are managed by the National Park Service via the federal reservation system.

Site Location (Water Access Point):

HB Leach Bay S22 Houseboat Site, Sand Point Lake

Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA

Reservation and Park Information:

Houseboat permits are required for all overnight mooring.

Voyageurs National Park Permit Reservations: 1-877-444-6777 (via Recreation.gov)

Voyageurs National Park Headquarters: 218-283-6600

Official Reservation Website: Recreation.gov (Search for "Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Sites")

HB Leach Bay S22 is the perfect destination for Minnesota residents looking to elevate their traditional "up north" lake experience. The houseboat model appeals directly to the local culture of maximizing comfort while immersing oneself in nature. It eliminates the logistical challenges of island tent camping—like packing excessive gear into small runabouts—by consolidating living and lodging onto a single, mobile platform.

For families and groups who appreciate the freedom of moving to a new fishing spot or shoreline every day, yet need the certainty of a reserved, designated overnight mooring, S22 delivers. Its location on Sand Point Lake, accessible from the familiar Crane Lake entry point, ensures a deep-wilderness experience without being overly difficult to reach. It’s an ideal way for lifelong Minnesotans to explore the watery heart of the state’s only National Park, utilizing a mode of travel—houseboating—that is inherently and wonderfully Minnesotan. This site promises tranquility, incredible lake views, and the unique flexibility that comes from having your private 'cabin' anchored right on the water’s edge.

HB Leach Bay S22 Houseboat (Rock Landing) Campsite

86W99FV4+X4, Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA