Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35

- HXW3+GF, Sha-Sha Resort, MN 56649

For Minnesotans, a summer vacation often means 'up North,' and there is no finer way to explore the state's spectacular border waters than from the deck of a houseboat. Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35 offers a secure, designated mooring location within the breathtaking landscape of Voyageurs National Park, providing the perfect anchor point for your luxury water adventure. This site is not a traditional tent campground but a specific location reserved for overnight mooring of houseboats, allowing you to bring the comforts of home directly into the heart of the Northern Minnesota wilderness.

The R35 site is one of 47 designated houseboat sites on Rainy Lake, one of the four interconnected major lakes of the park. It is designed to host up to two houseboats simultaneously, fostering a sense of community while ensuring a serene environment away from the crowds. Houseboating in Voyageurs National Park is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in the aquatic majesty of the area, offering unparalleled flexibility to fish, swim, and sightsee at your own pace. Olson Bay North R35 gives you a fixed point of tranquility in your fluid itinerary.

Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35 is strategically located on the pristine waters of Rainy Lake, within the boundaries of Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. This location places it near the western side of the park, accessible from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch near International Falls.

Address (Approximate Geographic Marker):

HXW3+GF, Sha-Sha Resort, MN 56649, USA (This general code points to the Rainy Lake area near the boundary of the park.)

Access: Watercraft-Specific Mooring Only

Access to Site R35 is strictly by water, specifically for authorized houseboats holding a valid overnight permit. Houseboats are legally defined as vessels with sleeping facilities, cooking facilities, and an approved marine sanitation device (toilet). The designated site is designed for houseboats to moor safely and temporarily against the rocky shoreline, which is typical of the Northwoods geography. The site features a Rock landing, which provides a sturdy and secure surface for anchoring and deploying a gangplank or ramp. Unlike tent campsites, you do not 'hike in' or 'drive up'; you simply navigate your floating home to this designated spot.

The nearest major land-based hub is International Falls, which offers several commercial operators for houseboat rentals, making it convenient for those traveling from across Minnesota. The freedom to explore the 218,000-acre park, with the certainty of a secure, pre-reserved mooring site like R35, is a key selling point for this unique type of water vacation.

Houseboat sites within Voyageurs National Park are distinct from tent sites. Since houseboats are self-contained with sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities onboard, the shoreline amenities are kept minimal and focused on safe mooring and fire containment. The permit is issued per houseboat for the entire overnight stay, not for a specific site, meaning R35 is available on a first-come, first-served basis to all permitted houseboats.

• Rock Mooring Shoreline: Provides a firm surface, ideal for securing the houseboat safely using ropes and gangplanks or ramps.
• One Picnic Table: A single designated picnic table is typically provided for shore use, offering a convenient spot for a meal outside the houseboat.
• One Fire Ring: A metal fire ring for contained campfires, allowing for the classic Northwoods s'mores and campfire atmosphere (always check for fire restrictions).
• One Food Storage Locker: A bear-proof metal locker is provided on shore for secure storage of food, trash, and scented items that might otherwise attract wildlife.
• Capacity: The site is generally designed to accommodate up to two houseboats simultaneously.

Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35 is a gateway to the broader recreational opportunities of Rainy Lake and the surrounding wilderness. Its specific features cater to the unique experience of houseboating.

• Prime Rainy Lake Access: Rainy Lake is famed for its world-class walleye fishing and scenic, island-dotted waters. R35 provides a convenient and officially designated spot to anchor, allowing easy deployment of smaller fishing boats or kayaks for day trips.
• Ideal Houseboat Mooring: The rocky landing characteristic of R35 is excellent for securing a large vessel. The site’s location in a bay like Olson Bay likely offers some protection from the larger waves and weather that can impact the main body of Rainy Lake.
• Wilderness Comfort: Houseboating bridges the gap between camping and luxury. You have the total immersion of being in a national park wilderness, but you are sleeping in a bed, cooking in a galley, and enjoying hot showers—all onboard your vessel. Site R35 supports this lifestyle by providing the essential shore amenities (fire pit, picnic table) for time spent off-deck.
• Proximity to Points of Interest: While specific distances vary, being on Rainy Lake places R35 in an excellent position to visit nearby attractions, such as the Ellsworth Rock Gardens or numerous hiking trails accessible from day-use sites around the lake.
• Seamless Reservation Process: The Voyageurs National Park uses a centralized, non-site-specific permit system for houseboating. By securing a general houseboat permit, you are eligible to use R35, or any of the other 46 houseboat sites on Rainy Lake, on a first-come, first-served basis, offering maximum flexibility in your travel plans.

All official permits and information regarding the use of Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35 must be handled through the National Park Service.

Address:

Phone (Voyageurs National Park):

Note: Permits for overnight houseboat stays in Voyageurs National Park are mandatory and can be reserved in advance through the official National Recreation Reservation Service (Recreation.gov) website. It is critical to secure this permit before you embark on your trip.

For residents of Minnesota, the Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35 represents the pinnacle of a classic 'Lake Life' vacation. It’s an opportunity to leverage the unique resources of Voyageurs National Park—the only national park predominantly defined by its water routes—with a degree of comfort and self-sufficiency that few other destinations can match.

This site is perfectly suited for locals because:

• Embraces the Lake Culture: Minnesotans have an innate connection to the water. Houseboating deepens this bond, offering an unparalleled multi-day experience on one of the most magnificent lakes in the region, without the need to return to shore each night.
• Ultimate Convenience for Luxury Camping: It combines the adventurous spirit of wilderness camping with the modern amenities locals expect from a quality vacation. Site R35 guarantees a legitimate, safe shore-side mooring spot within the park’s regulated zones.
• Ideal Base for Recreation: Whether the local group is focused on fishing, exploring the hiking trails on the mainland, or simply relaxing and swimming in the clear, spring-fed waters, R35 provides a secure, flexible home base from which to launch all activities on Rainy Lake.

A houseboating trip anchored at Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35 is an iconic Northern Minnesota experience, providing a serene, adventurous, and distinctly 'up North' vacation that should be on every local’s bucket list.

Olson Bay North Houseboat Site R35

HXW3+GF, Sha-Sha Resort, MN 56649, USA