HB Mitchell Island West N22 Houseboat Campsite, Kettle Falls, MN

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans, the chance to explore the vast, shimmering wilderness of Voyageurs National Park (VNP) on a houseboat is a bucket-list experience. The HB Mitchell Island West N22 Houseboat Campsite provides a designated, secluded mooring location, offering a unique blend of nautical freedom and rugged shoreline access. Unlike traditional tent campsites, this site is specifically for houseboats, cabin cruisers, or sailboats (vessels defined as having sleeping facilities, cooking facilities, and a no-discharge toilet) that are spending the night on the water.

Located on the western edge of Mitchell Island in the heart of the great border lake, Namakan Lake, this site is a designated National Park Service (NPS) houseboat mooring area. It acts as a safe, permitted haven where you can beach your floating home, step ashore for a campfire, and truly settle into the rhythm of the Northwoods. This form of 'camping' is an elevated, mobile adventure, giving you the flexibility to cruise the interconnected lakes all day and secure a permitted spot for a peaceful night under one of the darkest skies in Minnesota.

The HB Mitchell Island West N22 site represents the spirit of VNP—where the water is the highway and the islands are your stopping points. It’s an essential part of any extended houseboat itinerary, providing necessary amenities while maintaining the low-impact, leave-no-trace ethos crucial for preserving the park’s pristine natural beauty.

Location and Accessibility

The houseboat site, HB Mitchell Island West N22, is situated on the western shore of Mitchell Island, deep within Namakan Lake, one of the four large interconnected lakes of Voyageurs National Park. The nearest geographic reference point provided is the general vicinity of Kettle Falls, MN 55725, USA, which lies near the international boundary and the junction of Rainy and Namakan Lakes.

Accessibility to this site is 100% water-based. It is designed for overnight mooring of houseboats and other qualified vessels. The journey to N22 typically begins from one of the major park gateway communities, such as Ash River, Kabetogama, or Crane Lake, where public boat ramps are maintained by the NPS. Given its location on Namakan Lake, the Ash River and Crane Lake Visitor Centers are common points of entry.

The site features a beach landing or rock access point, specifically for mooring the houseboat to the shore. It is important to note that houseboat sites do not have traditional docks; you secure the vessel directly to the undeveloped shoreline using mooring aids like posts or rings provided by the park. Because the lake is vast and navigation can be complex, especially with a large houseboat, all operators must utilize marine charts and are advised to travel during daylight hours for maximum safety.

Services Offered

HB Mitchell Island West N22, like all designated houseboat mooring sites in Voyageurs National Park, offers specific amenities focused on safety and environmental preservation for houseboat users:

Mooring Capacity: The site allows a maximum of two houseboats to moor overnight at the designated location.
Mooring Aids: Mooring posts, rings, or other aids are provided along the shoreline to help houseboats and other qualified vessels safely secure themselves to the island.
Campfire Facilities: A metal fire ring is provided on shore. Campfires are permitted only within this designated ring, and visitors must use dead and downed wood collected nearby or bring DNR-approved firewood.
Overnight Permit: The site is included under the park's required Houseboat Overnight Permit system. This is a per-boat, per-night fee obtained through Recreation.gov, rather than a site-specific reservation fee, as these sites are generally first-come, first-served.
Food/Waste Storage: Although houseboats are required to store all food and waste onboard, the associated shoreline area is cleaned and maintained by the park service.
Onboard Facilities Use: Houseboaters are required to use their vessel's no-discharge toilet and utilize the houseboat's cooking and sleeping facilities, as **tent camping is strictly prohibited** at houseboat sites.

Features / Highlights

Choosing HB Mitchell Island West N22 offers several distinct benefits for the Voyageurs traveler, particularly those familiar with the Minnesota outdoors:

The Houseboat Lifestyle: This site provides the ideal mooring spot for those enjoying a multi-day journey on the water. It combines the comfort of a floating cabin with the unparalleled access to shoreline wilderness.
Access to Namakan Lake’s Beauty: Namakan Lake is celebrated for its deep, clear waters, beautiful pine-covered islands, and rugged, Canadian Shield rock formations. The mooring site is perfectly positioned to enjoy these scenic elements.
Fishing Hub: Namakan Lake is a renowned fishing destination. Mooring at Mitchell Island West places you in close proximity to excellent fishing grounds for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bass.
Dark Sky Experience: Like all of Voyageurs National Park, the location is far removed from light pollution, offering breathtaking opportunities for stargazing and viewing celestial events like the Northern Lights.
Easy Shoreline Access: The designated beach or rock landing provides a safe, legal spot to come ashore. You can stretch your legs, build a permitted campfire, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the island environment.
Strategic Central Location: Mitchell Island is centrally located on Namakan Lake, making it a great overnight stop for those navigating between Kabetogama and Sand Point/Crane Lakes, or planning a stop at the historic Kettle Falls Hotel.

Contact Information

All operational and permit-related inquiries for HB Mitchell Island West N22 are managed through the National Park Service system:

Site Location (General Area):

CFP6+F95, Kettle Falls, MN 55725, USA

Overnight Permit Reservations:

Required for all overnight houseboat stays from May 1 through October 31.

Houseboat Permits are obtained via Recreation.gov (Search: "Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits").

Voyageurs National Park Visitor Center Phone (for Park Information):

Ash River Visitor Center: 218-374-3221 (Commonly used access point for Namakan Lake)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesotans, the HB Mitchell Island West N22 Houseboat Campsite offers a truly native way to enjoy the state’s northern heritage. Houseboating is an embedded tradition in the North Star State, allowing families and friends to experience the water in a way that is both comfortable and deeply immersive. This site on Namakan Lake provides the designated shoreline access necessary for such an adventure.

The appeal for locals lies in the combination of convenience and untouched wilderness. You can pilot your own vessel across the majestic waterways that form the historic Voyageurs Highway, and then secure a legal, prepared spot on a secluded island for the night. This location is not just a place to dock; it's a front-row seat to the boreal forest ecosystem, ideal for fishing enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, and anyone who understands the unique value of a Minnesota Northwoods campfire right on the water's edge. It is the perfect spot for Minnesotans to live out the ultimate water-based wilderness vacation without ever crossing the Canadian border.