NORTHERNAIRE HOUSEBOATS | HOUSEBOAT VACATION IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA
  • Our Fleet
    • Aurora - 12 People (Luxury)
    • Resolute - 12 People
    • President - 12 People
    • Executive - 12 People
    • Hercules - 10 People
    • Princess - 8 People
    • Statesman - 8 People
    • Sportsman - 6 People
    • Adventurer - 6 People
    • Wanderer - 4 People
    • Explorer - 2 people
    • Virtual Tour
  • Reservations
  • Specials
  • Now Hiring
  • Contact

Reserve your Houseboat

We're looking forward to seeing you and your family or group!

Don't forget to ask about our current specials!

View All Deals

No other Houseboat Company can match our service!

We are not the largest houseboat operation but we are the BEST in customer service!
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Just arrive at Northernaire and we will have our dock personnel take care of all your worries.

We require a 3-night minimum stay. 
Check-in and Check-out available daily!
Call us one week prior to your reservation to confirm your arrival, review check-in details, and ask any last-minute questions.
Check-in is typically scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Check-out is 9 a.m.


​Important Safety Notice:
For your safety and in accordance with our policies, a minimum of two people is required on board for all houseboat rentals. Solo trips are not permitted.


Share the details for your houseboat vacation. We will assist in booking your stay on Rainy Lake!

Complimentary amenities included in every reservation:

  • GPS Navigation Chip
  • Courtesy delivery each Monday and Thursday on the lake
  • Rigid towing system for all boats
  • Spot guide service for the first four miles of the houseboat trip to orientate you to the buoy system and map reading
  • Houseboat docking by our spot guides on all return trips from Marker 10 to our docks

Items NOT Included in Rental Charges

  • ​Gasoline for houseboat and rental motors: All fuel tanks are full on departure and refilled upon your return. You pay only for the fuel used.
  • Hull Damage Waiver: $40 per night optional
  • Linens: $25 per linen pack, $5 per 1 blanket/1pillow. Linens available for purchase for our fly-in guests only. Linens, blankets, and pillow are all included on the Aurora. Please call with any questions or issues.
  • Housecleaning Charge: $100 minimum charge if boat is returned in poor condition
  • A Pet Agreement form will need to be signed for guests with dogs. The pet fee is $50 for one; $110 for two; $180 for three; and $250 for a max of four. Pets are not allowed on Aurora.

Weather Advisories

Do not travel if winds are 15+mph. Download windy.com on your phone and keep an eye on winds a couple days ahead at all times to make sure you are close enough to get back to base on time.

Not sure which boat to book? Request info:

Policies & Permits

Houseboat Permits are required for Voyageurs National Park
Houseboat Permits are required for Voyageurs National Park. Park permits are required during your stay in Voyageur National Park and cost $15/night. Please go to www.recreation.gov to obtain your permit. This needs to be printed and brought with you on your trip. Our dockhands will put them in the pocket protector sleeve on the houseboat for you when you arrive.
Deposit Policy
A deposit is required to secure your reservation. Please review the deposit specifics for the boat you are interested in reserving using pages for Our Fleet.

The deposit will be returned to you at the end of your houseboat trip, after a full inspection of the boat and equipment. Gas charges and any miscellaneous charges will be deducted from it. (This does not apply to the Aurora.)

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, cashier's checks, or checks for your arrival payment, but your deposit has to be made with a credit or debit card only.

If paying by check, your deposit is due within 10 days, or your reservation will be cancelled. Deposits will be refunded only if a written request for cancellation is received at least 90 days prior to the boarding date of your reservation. A $175 processing fee will be charged on all refunds. No exceptions.
Payment
When paying for your reservation, we will accept cash, Visa, Discover, AMEX, or Mastercard in one transaction.

We do accept cashier's checks, travelers checks, and
 personal checks if received 10 days before arrival.

Your total will also include a 3% lodging tax for the houseboat portion, a 7.375% Minnesota State & Transit tax, and a 3.5% fee if paying by credit card.

Your payment is due when you arrive. Payment on the Aurora is due 90 days before arriving.
Departure
Customers will need to call 1 week prior to departure time to receive their specific arrival time, when boat will be ready. 
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No houseboat will be allowed to leave the dock after 4:30 p.m.

Check out at the office includes payment for houseboat rental, miscellaneous rental, and optional Hull Damage Waiver. You will sign a bare-boat charter agreement that puts the responsibility of the boat in your hands, and be given a complete set of navigational maps. For those with a dog, you will go through a pet agreement form. The form goes over the cost of any damages (if they should happen) by your pet and that you will be held responsible for those charges.

Once you have unpacked and parked your vehicle in our lighted lot, a spot guide will give you a thorough orientation of the boat and its operations. They will guide you out on the lake approximately 4 miles, allowing you to drive the houseboat, read the navigational maps and buoys, and just feel comfortable with the boat - so you can relax and enjoy the beauty of Rainy Lake.
Return
The houseboat is required to be back by 9 a.m. on the day of your return.

When coming back to Northernaire, radio us when reaching Marker #10 and a guide will come out to your boat and drive it back to the dock, taking away all worries.
PETS
Pets not allowed on Aurora.
Max of 4 pets allowed on other boats. The cost is per trip, and varies by number of pets:
1 pet - $50
2 pets - $110
3 pets - $180
4 pets - $250

Equipment Rental

Tow Behind: you can bring a personal boat or rent one from us
Equipment
Daily
Weekly
Deluxe Fishing Package
18' Lund Alaskan, 50 h.p. motor-electric start, pedestal seats, live well, built-in fuel tank, trolling motor, GPS, depth finder.
A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to book this package.
$145
$750
Rod & Reel Combo
$9.75
$44
Canoe or Kayak
$24
$150
Generator - 2500 Watt
$25
$165
Boat w/ 20 H.P. Motor
$75
$368.50
Additional Boat & Motor
$90
$412.50

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum stay?
3 nights is the minimum amount of time required to book.
What time is arrival & return time?
You will call in about 1 week before your arrival and be given a specific arrival time (between 11am-2pm). On your last day you must be back to base at 9am.
How far down the lake can you go?
About 53 miles down from base; you can almost get to Kettle Falls, which would take about 6 hours at houseboat speed.
Do you have to reserve a certain houseboat site?
Nope! You can move every day, or stay in the same spot - it's all up to you! However, it’s one houseboat per site and sites are first come, first serve - unless you are renting 2 houseboats, then you can moor together at the same site.
Which boat is best for our group/family?
Click the button below to see an overview of our full fleet of Northernaire Houseboats and how many people each boat can host. From there, you can click on individual Houseboats and find out the cost, floorplan, list of included items, and more!
Our Fleet
How long is a week? 
For booking purposes, a week is defined as 7 nights. For 5-7 nights, the cost is the same.
How fast do the houseboats go?
Houseboats go between 5-8 miles per hour.
How much gas does the houseboats hold?
Explorer and Wanderer (our 2 smallest boats) hold 60 gallons; Aurora holds 200 gallons; the rest of the houseboats hold around 120 gallons.
Will we run out of gas on the houseboat if we go all the way down (takes 6 hours at houseboat speed) and back to base?
No, the houseboats each have enough gas. As far as the tow behind boats, there is a 20 gallon auxiliary tank on the back of each houseboat; if you expect to need more, ask us to put a gas caddy aboard and you will only pay for what you use.
Is there a limit on water for showers, sinks, and toilet? How about drinking water?
All the water for the showers, sinks, and toilet is filtered from the lake - so you can use all the water you want! All boats except for the Aurora have 6 gallon jugs of water for drinking purposes. You may bring additional bottled water. Aurora has a 60 gallon tank of drinking water.

We do ask all customers to bring eco friendly shampoo, conditioner, and whatever else you might use that goes down the drains.
We are out for a week, will I need to get the septic tank pumped out?
No, each boat's septic tank is empty when you leave base, and with proper use you will not overfill their holding capacity.
Why do you require a tow-behind boat & motor behind the Houseboat?
The tow-behind is for emergency use, fishing, and exploring; there are a lot of places in VNP that you cannot get to by houseboat, therefore you need to use the tow-behind. You can either bring your personal boat or rent one from us.

Average Weather by Season

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What to Bring

Packing List
  • Paper Towels
  • Filet Knife
  • Flash Light
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Binoculars
  • Sunblock
  • Insect Repellent
  • Insect Spray
  • First Aid Kit
  • Warm & Cool Clothing
  • Fishing Gear
  • Miscellaneous Water Gear
  • Games/Cards
  • Linens
Grocery List
  • Fruits & Juice
  • Snacks
  • Vegetables
  • Dairy Products
  • Meats
  • Canned Goods
  • Bread & Cereals
  • Pancake Mix
  • Cooking Oil
Before Arrival
  • Fishing License 
  • Minnows
  • All your groceries
  • Houseboat Permit
  • Download windy.com

Fishing Guide Services

One Doggie Guide Service
Mike Lessard
218-875-2412
218-324-2535

Northern Waters Excursions LLC
Jason Ellman
218-324-1776

Water Taxi Services

Northern Water Excursions, LLC
218-324-1776

Rainy Lake Aquatics
218-216-7885

Voyageurs Outfitters
218-244-6506

Rainy Lake Charters
​651-428-7545
​

Snowmobile Rental

Boyum Performance
218-324-0566
boyumperformance.com
All of the above are highly recommended for our Northernaire Houseboat guests.
​​All guides are independent contractors and rates may vary per guide.
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Schedule Your Houseboat Vacation on Rainy Lake

The beauty of Rainy Lake and Northern Minnesota are without equal. Listen to the loons by the campfire, reel in the catch of a lifetime, and experience a connection to the land, water and wildlife that will stay with you long after your vacation is over.
Call Us Today
218.286.5221

For the fastest response, please include your name and concerns if leaving a voicemail.
​Thank you!
Northernaire Houseboats
2690 County Road 94
International Falls, MN 56649
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  • Our Fleet
    • Aurora - 12 People (Luxury)
    • Resolute - 12 People
    • President - 12 People
    • Executive - 12 People
    • Hercules - 10 People
    • Princess - 8 People
    • Statesman - 8 People
    • Sportsman - 6 People
    • Adventurer - 6 People
    • Wanderer - 4 People
    • Explorer - 2 people
    • Virtual Tour
  • Reservations
  • Specials
  • Now Hiring
  • Contact