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The NPS anticipates releasing a prospectus for a concession business opportunity to provide lodging, retail, food and beverage, guest transportation, marina services, and mechanical boat portage services within Voyageurs National Park in early 2026. The prospectus will describe the business opportunity and the terms and conditions of Concession Contract No. CC-VOYA002-27 ("Draft Contract"). General information about this business opportunity and the Draft Contract are provided below.
No Preferred Offeror
The Director has determined that no preferred offeror for this Draft Contract exists pursuant to the terms of 36 C.F.R. Part 51. This future solicitation for commercial services will be fully competitive.
Questions
Interested entities must submit questions in writing after the release of the solicitation to the contact person and by the deadline that will be provided in the prospectus.
M. Challeen / NPS Image
Pre-Solicitation Site Visit
The National Park Service hosted a pre-solicitation site visit to provide interested entities an overview of the concession operations at Kettle Falls on September 29, 2025. The site visit allowed interested parties to review the property, facilities, and park area to better inform their potential responses to a future official prospectus for this business opportunity.
Attendance at a site visit is not required to submit a proposal. Typically, the NPS holds a site visit after the release of a prospectus. However, the NPS will not host an additional, post-release site visit because the Concession Facilities will be closed for the winter season for the remainder of 2025.
Additional Information about Concession Opportunity CC-VOYA002-27
The NPS expects the Draft Contract to have a term of ten (10) years with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The Draft Contract will require the concessionaire to provide the following visitor services:
Overnight accommodations that offer 10 hotel rooms within the Kettle Falls Hotel, plus Villas (10 units in 3 village buildings)
Food and Beverage service within Kettle Falls Hotel (3 meals/day)
Guest Transportation that offers round trip boat transportation to Kettle Falls from the Ash River Visitor Center
Marina services that include fuel, oil, ice, and bait sales; boat and outboard motor rental; and overnight docking for hotel and villa guests
Retail that includes at a minimum visitor convenience items, souvenirs, and camping supplies. Retail sales take place at the Trading Post and hotel lobby
Mechanical Boat Portage Services between boat launch sites at Rainy Lake and Namakan Lake over the Kettle Falls dam
M. Challeen / NPS Photo
The Draft Contract will authorize the concessionaire to provide a variety of visitor services that include the following:
On-site sale of alcoholic beverages within Kettle Falls Hotel
Fishing guide services
Kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board rental
North Canoe tours with park review and approval
Vending machine operations (location, type, and number upon park review & approval)
Dockside electrical hookups at select location(s)
Massage services and nature-based wellness programs
Sack lunches / Grab-and-go food services
Water taxi service from Kettle Falls to park approved destinations
Boat-based interpretive tours with park review and approval
Land-based interpretive programs within the Kettle Falls area
Minor boat repair
Guest laundry
Chase boat services
Delivery services to campers and houseboats
More details about investment analysis, leasehold surrender interest, and historical concession data is detailed in the Pre-Solicitation Site Visit Business Opportunity Summary. For more information about the National Park Service's Commercial Services Program, concession contracts, and the laws and policies that control and guide them, visit the NPS Commercial Services website.
Businesses must have a valid Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to provide commercial services within the park. Examples of businesses that need CUAs are fishing guides, water taxis, private tour boats, and more.
Special events (e.g., sporting events, organized fishing contests)
Plowing winter ice roads longer than 300 feet
Memorialization
Certain types of First Amendment activities
Certain types of commercial filming and/or photography
Some methods of commercial filming, commercial photography, and First Amendment activities do not require an SUP. The Superintendent's Compendium defines the regulations that apply for these activities, and can be used to determine whether an SUP is required for the individuals who are planning them.
Certain types of commercial filming require a Special Use Permit.
M. Miller / NPS Photo
Applying for an SUP
To apply for an SUP, begin by downloading the appropriate form below. Forms may be printed or filled out electronically. Completed electronic forms can be emailed to voya_special_park_uses@nps.gov, or printed hard copies can be sent by mail to the address below.
Mailing Address
Voyageurs National Park
Chief of Visitor & Resource Protection
360 Highway 11 East
International Falls, Minnesota 56649
SUP Application Fees
There is a standard $50 application fee for each application (except applications for First Amendment activities regulated under 36 C.F.R. § 2.51 and 36 C.F.R. § 2.52). If paying by check, please make checks out to the National Park Service and include the check in the mail with your application.
If you prefer to pay electronically, simply submit your application by mail or email without a check. The park will then automatically create and send an electronic invoice that applicants can use to securely pay by credit card, debit card, or any other preferred method of electronic payment. Cash is not accepted for application fees.
The park's two tour boats are available to be chartered for private events. The Charter Tours application may be downloaded as a printable paper document or filled out electronically. Mail the SUP Charter application with the required documentation and application fee to the address below.
Voyageurs National Park
Tour Boat Charters
360 Highway 11 East
International Falls, Minnesota 56649
For More Information
If you have questions regarding commercial services (i.e., concessions management or CUAs), email VOYA_Commercial@nps.gov.
If you have questions about Special Use Permits, email voya_special_park_uses@nps.gov.
