Date: May 10, 2011
Contact: Chip Jenkins, 360-854-7205
May 17, 2011: Stehekin Site Visit
July 12, 2011: Proposals Due by 4:00 p.m. PDT
Prospectus: https://www.nps.gov/commercialservices
The National Park Service is hosting a site visit for parties interested in
providing commercial services within the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. Business entrepreneurs are invited to travel to Stehekin to tour the concession facilities in Stehekin on May 17, 2011. This site visit will allow potential bidders to experience the journey to Stehekin, view the facilities, and understand the services and activities offered through this concession contract.
Stehekin Landing Resort currently provides these concession services and is now open to visitors for the summer. They will continue to be in full operation through October 31, 2011. Concession operations under a new contract will begin after this summer season and run for the next ten years.
“The concession operation is a key component in supporting visitors to Stehekin and North Cascades National Park. Stehekin is now getting ready for the busy summer season, and we invite people to visit and enjoy this beautiful treasure. At the same time, we invite interested business leaders to come and learn more about this great opportunity,” said Chip Jenkins, Superintendent North Cascades National Park Complex.
The National Park Service recently re-advertised this Stehekin business opportunity with revisions to the prospectus in an effort to create a more attractive contract. The concession contract is to provide visitor services, including overnight accommodations, food, beverage, retail, fuel, and transportation services in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, a unit of North Cascades National Park Complex (https://www.nps.gov/noca). The National Park Service is required to award concession contracts through a competitive bid process. A copy of the prospectus is available at https://www.nps.gov/commercialservices, and proposals are due on July 12, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. PDT.
Travel to Stehekin is by Lady of the Lake Passenger Ferry and attendance at the site visit could require an overnight stay in Stehekin. For more information or to RSVP for this site visit, please notify Annelise Lesmeister at (509) 682-4921 no later than noon, Friday May 13. Travel plans should be finalized before this date.
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The Stehekin Landing Resort is now welcoming spring visitors. Rainbow Falls Tours, which bring visitors to the 312-foot Rainbow Falls in red vintage-style buses, have begun and offer a great family adventure for day-trippers to Stehekin. Visitors can also enjoy lunch at the Resort’s restaurant or spend a peaceful night in fully-equipped kitchen units.
Stehekin Landing Resort is also taking reservations for lodging and activities for the 2011 summer season. Please visit their website at http://www.stehekinlanding.com.
The National Park Service has also recently open the newly constructed and fully ADA accessible Rainbow Mist Trail, which offers additional viewpoints of Rainbow Falls. See photos of the Rainbow Mist Trail at http://bit.ly/jcIJW4.
Stehekin is a destination for relaxation, adventure, and family fun–providing an array of recreation opportunities, including spectacular days hikes, bicycling, kayaking, fishing, backpacking, horseback riding, and ranger-led activities. Accessible only by foot, ferry or plane, Stehekin attractions include the 312-foot Rainbow Falls, Historic Buckner Homestead (orchard), and the dynamic Stehekin River.
