Voyageurs National Park is modifying its operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing.
Through May 17, 2020, overnight use – both reservations for tent camping and overnight houseboat mooring permits – at Voyageurs National Park through www.recreation.gov will be suspended. This extension is in accordance with the Minnesota Governor’s extended Stay At Home order which stipulates that all private and public campgrounds and dispersed camping sites must remain closed to recreational camping. All reservations that fall between now and May 17th will be automatically cancelled and refunded via Recreation.gov.
The Rainy Lake Visitor Center, other visitor centers and the park headquarters building remain closed at this time.
Minnesota Executive Order 20-33 allows people to be outdoors and to enjoy parks and other public recreation lands, engaging in activities such as hiking and fishing, while practicing social distancing. Day use, trails, and water access at Voyageurs National Park remain open to visitors. The public can fish if you have a state license; normal seasons and regulations apply.
Park staff will continue to provide information services via email, its website, Facebook, and answering phone messages at 218-283-6600.
The park has also modified the following operations through the 2020 season:
Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake Group Campsite reservations: Those reservations already made for May 18 and beyond will be honored unless future guidelines stipulate otherwise. Through the remainder of the summer operational period these sites will be managed as large individual campsites.
King Williams Narrows and Mukooda Campgrounds: Those reservations already made will for May 18 and beyond will be honored unless future guidelines stipulate otherwise. Through the remainder of the summer operational period site A in each campground will remain open for reservations but sites B through E will be closed.
Through the end of May, concession operations at Kettle Falls Hotel will be limited to sale of marina gas and portage services only. Beyond May, other services are likely to be limited. Check www.kettlefallshotel.com or call (218) 240-1724 or (218) 240-1726 for updates.
Park boat tours have been suspended for the entire 2020 season.
Further updates and modifications to overnight reservations and permits beyond May 17 will be assessed in conjunction with any additional safety guidelines that may be implemented. As additional operational changes are defined and implemented future press releases will be distributed.
The National Park Service encourages those who choose to visit during this pandemic to do their part when visiting a park to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick. For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
The health and safety of our employees, local community, visitors, and partners is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
Visitors are encouraged to go online at www.nps.gov/voya and www.voyageurs.org to experience the park virtually or for information on planning a future trip to the park.
Updates about National Park Service operations service-wide will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
Sarah Nevalainen
