A Life Connected to Voyageurs: Larry and Betsey Warrington’s Story

Across the gateway communities to Voyageurs National Park, there are a variety of resorts, campsites, and other businesses that play a critical role in welcoming guests to the park. In Kabetogama, Arrowhead Lodge Resort and Outfitters has been in continuous operation and providing memorable visitor experiences since 1931. Arrowhead has been stewarded by just nine owners over the course of its history. From 2000 to 2019, Arrowhead was owned and operated by Betsey and Larry Warrington, alongside their daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Dave.

Larry and Betsey were not at all familiar with Voyageurs National Park when they bought Arrowhead Lodge in 2000, but they settled into life on “Kab” quickly and found themselves forming strong ties with the community and park, including park rangers. Betsey remarks, “We’ve always been really supportive of the national park, and they’ve been supportive of us, too.” 

From the moment they landed on Kab, the Warringtons always valued the park, and their appreciation deepened over the years as they experienced Voyageurs through their guests’ eyes. Betsey remembers how guests would often arrive at the resort exasperated and exhausted from a day of driving, but their moods would quickly begin to shift. She recalls, “The first thing they would do is take a deep breath and say, ‘oh, there's fresh air here and you can breathe.’ And then within the first day, you could just see them relax.” Through this connection, the Warringtons found a unique shared experience with each person they met.

Owning and operating Arrowhead as a gateway to the park was just the beginning of their connection to Voyageurs. Larry contracted with the park for several years, providing essential support, including placing and removing rock marker buoys, assisting with tow and salvage, helping with rescues, and water taxi work. 

At the heart of the Warrington’s love for Voyageurs is the wilderness itself. When asked what they found to be the most special piece of Voyageurs, Larry responded that he truly believes there is not a single thing within the park that he would not consider special. In fact, Larry holds he has “not found anything other than peace and contentment” in the park. He says, “once you leave the shoreline…, there is nothing there but beauty.”

The Warringtons sold Arrowhead to Mike and Becky Dario in 2019, but Voyageurs National Park remains central to their lives and family. Larry still leads park tours and boat rides and Betsey sells her famous baked goods at the Pine Ridge Gift Shop. Their son-in-law, Dave, works seasonally for the park, and their children and grandchildren remain connected to the area.  

When looking at the communities surrounding Voyageurs, resort owners like Larry and Betsey are essential components of the ecosystem that cares for Voyageurs National Park. Not only do they help attract and welcome visitors to the area, but they also educate guests on conservation and natural and cultural resources, support anti-invasive species initiatives, and provide commercial water-based access and support.