Monday, May 8, 2006
In accordance with Voyageurs’ General Management Plan, the park developed two 30-person group campsites in 2005. One site is on Rainy Lake and the other site is on Kabetogama Lake. Each group campsite has seven tent pads, four food lockers, one enclosed unisex comfort station with vault toilet, docking for eight to ten boats, two fire rings, picnic tables, and scenic vistas. Each site has a wheelchair-accessible core area with accompanying facilities.
Who can use a group campsite and when?
June 11, 2006 to September 17, 2006 - overnight permit required - groups of 14 to 30 people with a reservation - groups of any size, up to 30 people, who want to use the site that day (site must be available; check-in at visitor center required; no online reservation needed)
Rest of year - overnight permit required - first-come, first-served - groups of any size, up to 30 people
Is there a fee to use the sites? In 2006, there is no fee to use the group campsites.
When can the site be reserved? Visitors can make reservations year-round for the current calendar year. The sites are by reservation only from June 11, 2006 through September 17, 2006. The rest of the year, the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How far in advance does a group have to make a reservation? You must make your reservation at least 5 days prior to when you want to occupy the site.
How does a group make a reservation? Starting May 22, 2006 (or possibly sooner), reservations can be made online at http://reservations.nps.gov/index.cfm or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP (800-365-2267). For callers outside the U.S. and Canada, call (301) 722-1257. Reservations processed through this Internet site will only be accepted between the hours of 10:00 am and 10:00 pm Eastern Time (7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Pacific Time). Can a group make a reservation at a visitor center or by calling the park? No. All reservations must be made through the National Park Service’s reservation system (Internet or telephone). See Internet address and phone number above.
No one has reserved the site for today. Can I use it? Parties of 1 to 30 people, can walk in to a visitor center and check the availability of a group site for the current day. If the site is not reserved, they can use it (after checking in) until the next reservation begins or up to 4 nights.
Can a group cancel its reservation? If a group needs to cancel a reservation, the group leader should call the appropriate visitor center (Rainy or Kabetogama).
Why is there a reservation system? Voyageurs needs a reservation system for these sites so it can manage use in a way that minimizes conflicts between visitors. A reservation system will also increase the likelihood that these sites will be used by large groups for which they were designed.
How many nights can my group use the site? The site can be reserved for 7 consecutive nights.
Does the group need an overnight permit? Yes. The group leader gets the permit at the appropriate visitor center when he/she checks in.
Is there a check-in and check-out time? Check-in time is 2:00pm at the visitor center. The group leader must check-in at the appropriate visitor center (either Rainy or Kabetogama/Ash River) by 2:oopm or the reservation will be cancelled. Check-out time is 12:00pm. Groups need to vacate the site by 12:00pm.
What if the group leader gets delayed and cannot check-in by 2:oopm? If the group leader calls and explains the delay the park will hold the reservation for check-in no later than 4:30pm.
What if the group has to leave the site earlier than planned? The park requests that you put the group’s permit in the drop box by the visitor center with a note stating an early departure.
Is day use allowed at the group sites? Yes. Similar to all tent sites, day use is allowed at vacant group sites until 2:00pm. * all information on this sheet applies to 2006 only
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