VNP campsite reservation, fee program begins in April

After conducting multiple public meetings and gathering public comments, park officials determined the majority of the public supported the program. Despite a moratorium on new or modified fees, the director’s office of the National Park Service approved a reservation system and fee rates for Voyageurs National Park.

Over the past several months park officials have worked in conjunction with www.recreation.gov to come up with a four-phase process for the implementation of the park’s program for campsites, houseboat sites, and boats on interior lakes. A phase-in process will allow park staff to ensure all aspects of the system provide the intended service to visitors. It also allows a season for visitors to get used to the changes.

“During civic engagement a lot of people requested we phase this process over a couple years so that visitors would become accustomed to the process," said VNP Superintendent Mike Ward. "We fully agree with their input.”

Phasing in the program over a period of years will give the park time to monitor how these 34 sites are used prior to continuing implementation.

“This is a large project and will take time and monitoring to achieve success," said Ward.

Park officials said they spent a great deal of time determining the first 34 sites selected, and based their decision on visitor use, location, and size of the sites. The 34 reservable sites will be marked with “reservation only” signs for the first year.

Park staff are working to implement temporary computer kiosks at park visitor centers to assist with walk-in reservations. Reservations at the kiosks will only be for that day. All other reservations will need to be made in advance on-line or by phone at www.recreation.gov or by calling the National Call Center at 1-877-444-6777. Advance reservations are available until midnight the night before the visit. Reservations are by credit card only.

The fee structure for sites was based on the amenities at the sites. All of the fees collected will go back into the park. The fee structure is as follows:

• Small campsite with no tent pads - $16
• Small campsite with 1 tent pad - $18
• Small campsite with 2 tent pads - $20
• Large campsites – $24
• Boats on interior lakes rentals - $12
• Houseboats - $10
• Backcountry campsites (regardless of tent pads) $16

The dates and sites selected to go live with www.recreation.gov are as follows in 4 phases.

Phase 1:

Visitors to the park will be able to make reservations for these sites starting 10 a.m., April 1.

Reservations required with www.recreation.gov for:

April 15 through Oct. 15

All rentals canoes and rowboats on interior lakes

May 15 through Sept. 15

All Backcountry (interior) campsites

34 Frontcountry (main lake) campsites; see list below

Also included are all canoes, rowboats, and backcountry camping sites in the interior of the Kabetogama Peninsula.

All other sites will remain first-come, first-served in 2014. However, a free overnight permit is still required for all first-come, first-served sites within the park and are available at the following boat launches: Rainy Lake Visitor Center, Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, Ash River Visitor Center, Crane Lake Ranger Station, and the Crane Lake MN DNR launch.

Phase 2:

Sept. 16 through May 14, 2015

All campsites

All rental canoes and rowboats on interior lakes

Free

Reservation required with www.recreation.gov

The park will no longer have self-registration permit stations

Phase 3:

April 15, 2015 through Oct. 15 each year

All rental canoes and rowboats on the interior

May 15, 2015 through Sept.15 each year

All campsites

Reservations will be available six months in advance and will open November of each year

Phase 4:

May 15, 2015 through Sept. 15 each year

No camping, houseboating, boat rentals without a reservation

Reservations will be available on April 1, 2015, for houseboating