How many people does the Gold Rush sleep?

The Gold Rush sleeps 8–12 guests with six standard double beds, two single beds, and a sofa sleeper; reservations have a stated minimum occupancy requirement.

Is a fishing boat included?

Yes—each Rainy Lake houseboat rental includes a 16' fishing boat; you can bring your own motor or add a rental motor and extra boats at booking.

What power and heat are available on board?

The Gold Rush provides 240/110/12-volt electrical service, a generator, and electric heat for guest comfort.

Is there an age requirement to make a reservation?

Yes—the person booking must be at least 21 years of age.

When is check-in and are deposits required?

Check-in typically begins at 1 pm. Reservations require a deposit as specified for each boat; confirm details at booking.

Gold Rush Houseboat on Rainy Lake: Hot Tub, Water Slide, and Voyageurs Tours

Q: Are permits required for overnight stays in Voyageurs National Park?

Yes—houseboat permits are required for overnight mooring within Voyageurs National Park and should be purchased at recreation.gov.

Rainy Lake, just east of International Falls, Minnesota, is a clean, island-strewn expanse on the edge of Voyageurs National Park. The Gold Rush is a 50-foot jacuzzi houseboat available from Rainy Lake Houseboats, built for groups who want to combine uncomplicated comfort with active lake days. Sleeping eight to twelve guests in six double beds, two singles, and a sofa sleeper, the Gold Rush feels like a compact floating lodge: full kitchen with electric range, refrigerator and freezer, a full bathroom with shower, and electric heat and power supplied by onboard generator. Outside is where the boat earns its name. A full sundeck with table and chairs, gas barbecue, and a built-in water slide set the scene for long afternoons of jumping, sunning, and sunsets over spruce-lined islands. The private hot tub is an unexpected luxury, warm, bubbling, and located where you can scan for loons and eagles while the engines hum quietly at anchor. The twin-engine hull gives confident handling for cruising between bays, and each rental includes a 16-foot fishing boat; guests may bring their own motors or rent extras to explore back coves and rocky shoals for walleye and northern pike. On clear days the shoreline reads like Precambrian bedrock: exposed granite and thin soils that support black spruce, white pine, and clusters of birch. The maze of islands and narrows funnels wildlife: common sightings include common loons trilling at dawn, bald eagles circling thermals, and the occasional moose along vegetated shorelines. Rainy Lake's water quality and remote islands make it an especially photogenic place for long exposures, star fields, and reflective morning light. Rainy Lake Houseboats has been operating in the region since 1918 and runs signature outings such as the Voyageurs National Park Tour, offering interpretive context to the lake's logging and fishing history. Note that houseboat permits are required for overnight mooring within Voyageurs National Park; check recreation.gov before you go. Check-in usually begins at 1 pm, and reservations require a deposit; the operator requires the booker to be at least 21. The Gold Rush suits family reunions, fish-and-relax groups, or friends who want low-fuss boating with high-reward amenities. Bring layered clothing for cool nights, an interest in angling or paddling, and a taste for unplugged evenings under dark-sky stars. Whether you're sliding into the wake, soaking in the tub with a lake vista, or drifting into a sheltered cove, this houseboat trip reads like a shoreline ritual: unhurried, social, and tuned to the rhythms of Rainy Lake. Plan to bring biodegradable soap, a small first-aid kit, and reef-safe sunscreen; cell coverage can be patchy, so download maps and any music or podcasts before departure to maximize time on the water and relax with friends.

Gold Rush Houseboat on Rainy Lake: Hot Tub, Water Slide, and Voyageurs Tours

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