Press Release
The public is invited to attend one of two forums to learn about, and comment on, Voyageurs National Park’s proposed fee and reservation system for interior lake campsites and boat rentals on the Kabetogama Peninsula, as well as fees for tour boat programs.
Voyageurs National Park superintendent Mike Ward will host a presentation about the proposed changes, then will open the floor to public comments and questions on the following dates:
•Monday, April 19 from 7-8 p.m. at the Wilderness Inquiry Headquarters in Minneapolis; and
•Thursday, April 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Backus Auditorium in International Falls.
Both forums are free and open to the public.
The U.S. Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows for national park sites like Voyageurs to charge fees.
Voyageurs National Park recognizes the present and future welfare of our park depends, in large measure, on the public’s support of the way we manage it.
The public will have a greater appreciation of, and support for, our management if they recognize that we seek—and are receptive to—their involvement in the important decisions that are made.
Voyageurs is proposing to add all 16 of the park’s interior lake campsites and 11 boats on interior lakes to the U.S. National Park Service’s reservation system.
All interior lakes’ campsites only are accessible by boating to a trailhead, then hiking into or canoeing to the campsite.
Visitors would pay a one-time reservation fee of $14-$19 (U.S.) to reserve an interior lake campsite.
If the campsite has a canoe, there would be an additional fee of $10 per day.
Having the campsites and canoes/rowboats on a reservation system will allow visitors who reserve an interior campsite to be guaranteed a canoe and/or rowboat with that site, or be able to plan in advance.
Reservations would be taken by Reserve America online at http://reservations.nps.gov or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP (1-800-365-2267).
New and modified fees for interpretive tour boat programs also are being proposed by the park.
Prices range from $15-$50 (U.S.) for 90-minute to six-and-a-half hour cruises.
Reservation program highlights include:
•sites can be reserved 365 days a year;
•visitors must check-in at the corresponding visitor center (i.e., Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, Ash River Visitor Center, or the Rainy Lake Visitor Center) before going to the site;
•check-in at a visitor center by 2 p.m. is required, and check-out time from the site is noon;
•reservations are for up to 14 consecutive days but no more than 30 days in a calendar year; and
•reservations must be made through the Internet or telephone number provided (reservations will not be accepted by the park).
Visitors who wish to use the site, but do not make a reservation, may walk-in to the respective visitor center to check on the site’s availability for the current day.
If the site is not reserved, walk-in campers can reserve the sites for the current day only.
Fees generated from the reservations would go towards maintaining the sites and boats on the interior lakes, and managing the system.
Tour boat fees would support tour boat operations.
The public comment period is open through May 1. Individuals may leave their comments regarding these proposed fees and the reservation system at 1-218-283-6708.
For more information, visit www.nps.gov/voya
