HB Sand Point Island East S16 Houseboat Campsite

- 86W9CG7J+Q8, Crane Lake, MN 55725

For Minnesotans, the North Star State’s unique landscape is defined by its water. While most camping involves a tent and a fire pit, Voyageurs National Park elevates the experience by making the water the primary destination. Among the most coveted spots in this unparalleled park is the opportunity to moor a houseboat overnight at a designated shore site, and the HB Sand Point Island East S16 Houseboat Campsite offers one of the finest iterations of this experience. This is not traditional camping—it is a 'glamping' adventure that combines the comfort of a floating cabin with the unparalleled seclusion of a wilderness island.

The HB Sand Point Island East S16 site is a designated mooring location for houseboats, nestled within the picturesque Sand Point Lake area, a vital stretch of water accessible from the Crane Lake community. It caters to the distinct needs of houseboaters, providing a safe, designated spot to secure your vessel for the night while offering land access and essential amenities. Unlike a regular tent campsite, this site is designed for large, self-contained vessels that define a true Voyageurs adventure.

The appeal of S16 lies in its blend of convenience and rugged beauty. Located between islands, the site is often slightly sheltered, and its distinct features—a thin, easy-access beach area and a dramatic, pine-studded rocky point—offer varied topography for relaxation and exploration. For locals seeking an unforgettable summer getaway that taps into Minnesota's deep lake culture, securing a spot at S16 for your houseboat vacation is the key to unlocking the true splendor of the state’s only water-based National Park.

The entire Voyageurs National Park experience is about embracing the vastness of the water, and sites like S16 provide the necessary sanctuary and land-based connection to fully enjoy a multi-day journey across the Namakan Reservoir system. It’s where your floating home meets the ancient boreal forest.

The HB Sand Point Island East S16 Houseboat Campsite is geographically located on Sand Point Lake, one of the four major lakes in the park. The address—86W9CG7J+Q8, Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA—is a general locator for the surrounding wilderness area, as the site itself is an island-based cove. The entire Sand Point Lake area is only reachable by watercraft.

For Minnesota users, access typically begins in the town of Crane Lake, which offers multiple marinas, houseboat rental companies (such as Voyagaire), and boat launches. Sand Point Lake connects directly to Crane Lake, making it a highly accessible part of the National Park system for those launching from the southeast. Houseboaters will navigate across a portion of the main lake to reach the site, which is identified by a sign at the shoreline.

The ability to access this site requires a self-contained houseboat or other motorized vessel capable of towing a houseboat. Park regulations require houseboats to moor only at designated sites, like S16, or at an undesignated shoreline at least 200 yards away from any developed site. Navigation skills and awareness of the park’s buoy system are essential for safely reaching S16, especially given that the park's waters can become large and choppy in rough weather. The experience truly is a water-based journey, requiring preparation similar to that of a coastal or Great Lakes voyage.

As a designated Houseboat Campsite, the services provided are minimal but critical for securing a large vessel and ensuring a responsible stay in the wilderness. The assumption is that the houseboat itself provides all major comforts, such as sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities (required by NPS definition). The shore site offers:

• **Mooring Access:** A ‘thin beach area’ provides an ideal, easy-parking sand landing for the bow of the houseboat, allowing secure tie-off to trees and land.
• **Capacity:** Designated for overnight mooring of up to two houseboats simultaneously, though capacity and availability are managed through a reservation permit system.
• **Campfire Ring:** A single fire ring is available on the land site for building campfires (only permitted in the provided ring).
• **Land Access:** The campsite provides a point of land to step off the houseboat, stretch legs, and enjoy shore-based activities like hiking short paths or having a meal on the island.
• **No Trash/Toilet Facilities:** Houseboaters are required to use the restroom facilities onboard their self-contained vessel and must pack out all garbage and waste—a strict Leave No Trace principle applied to all sites.

The HB Sand Point Island East S16 site is celebrated by those who use it for its distinctive setting and access to prime water recreation.

• **Secluded Island Ambiance:** Tucked between islands, the site offers a degree of protection and a genuinely secluded feel, allowing for a deep connection with the remote boreal forest environment.
• **Exceptional Fishing Location:** The immediate area, particularly along the rocky cliffs and points near the cove, is highly regarded as a productive fishing spot, particularly in the mornings, where local anglers frequently target walleye, northern pike, and bass.
• **Scenic Campfire Area:** The site features a 'nice large campfire area' nestled among towering pine trees on the point, offering a dramatic and atmospheric setting for evening gatherings.
• **Easy Mooring Beach:** Unlike many rocky landings, the 'thin beach area' makes the often-challenging process of safely securing a large houseboat significantly easier, a highly valued feature for houseboating captains.
• **Shoreline Exploration:** The land area includes "some paths to explore," allowing houseboaters a brief chance to hike and experience the island’s interior before returning to the lake.
• **Perfect Sunrises/Sunsets:** Being situated on a point or island facing the open water, the location is ideal for enjoying the stunning, light-polluted-free sunrises and sunsets over Sand Point Lake.

While the physical site is S16, reservations are made for houseboating permits, which allow mooring at any designated site like S16 on a first-come, first-served basis once the permit is secured.

Campsite Name:

HB Sand Point Island East S16 Houseboat Campsite

Park Management:

Voyageurs National Park

Overnight Houseboat Permit System:

Recreation.gov (Reservations are for a permit to houseboat, not for a specific site, which are first-come, first-served.)

NPS General Park Phone Number:

218-283-6600 (Voyageurs National Park Headquarters)

Physical Location (General Area):

Sand Point Lake, accessible from Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA

Note: Houseboat permits are required for all overnight stays and become available on November 15 of the preceding year for the entire summer season. It is critical to book these permits early, as they are essential for your trip.

The HB Sand Point Island East S16 Houseboat Campsite offers a truly premium and distinctly Minnesotan vacation. For locals who grew up on the water, houseboating in Voyageurs is the natural evolution of the cabin or lake home experience—it’s the freedom of a floating cabin combined with the adventure of a remote fishing trip. The S16 site provides the perfect balance: enough natural beauty and fishing opportunity to satisfy the wilderness enthusiast, coupled with an easy, secure landing that reduces the stress of mooring a large vessel.

This specific site allows groups of Minnesotans to gather, fish, swim off their boats, and enjoy the large, open fire pit area—a true communal experience at the heart of the state’s outdoor traditions. It’s an immersion into the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ like no other, offering the luxury of a full kitchen and a comfortable bed while surrounded by the raw, granite-and-pine beauty of the Northwoods. S16 is a top-tier destination that perfectly aligns with the local desire for both comfort and an authentic, unforgettable lake wilderness adventure.

HB Sand Point Island East S16 Houseboat Campsite

86W9CG7J+Q8, Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA