Of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary AuthoritySigned: Robert J. DeGross, Superintendent, March 22, 2021. Signature on file.
|
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Strawberry |
Fragaria spp. |
Chokecherries |
Prunus spp. |
Rose Hips |
Rosa spp. |
Blackberries |
Rubus spp. |
Raspberries |
Rubus spp. |
Blueberries |
Vaccinium spp. |
Cranberries |
Vaccinium spp. |
Mushrooms |
Agaricus spp. |
Wild Rice |
Zizania aquatic |
Collection of the edible plant species described above is limited to one gallon per person per day.
Be safe! Know the species you plan to harvest and consume.
(The collection of these edible plant species is allowed as they are fairly resilient plants that will produce their fruits/foods annually and/or regenerate following growing seasons).
36 CFR §2.2 - WILDLIFE PROTECTION
(d) The transporting of lawfully taken wildlife through the park is permitted under the following conditions and procedures:
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A permit is required to transport lawfully taken wildlife across parklands or waters
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Written permission from the landowner to hunt or trap on his or her property is required for each permit prior to the permit being issued to anyone except the landowner of record and his or her immediate family
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A permit is not required for possession or transportation of legally taken wildlife in the following areas:
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South and west of Black Bay and transported across park lands at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center
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King Williams Narrows between Sand Point and Crane Lakes
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Ash River Trail for a distance of .5 miles north along NPS 1 (commonly referred to as the Meadwood Road)
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Moose River Grade
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(e) The following areas are closed to the viewing of wildlife with the use of an artificial light:
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All of the park
(a) The following State fishing laws and/or regulations do not apply in the listed areas:
- Fish, as defined under Section 1.4, does not include mussels (clams), crayfish, frogs, and turtles
(d)(2) Possession or use of live or dead minnows or other bait fish, amphibian, non-preserved fish eggs or roe is allowed in the following fresh water areas:
- The waters and adjacent shorelines of Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes are designated for possessing or using bait for fishing
- Bait may also be possessed on the frozen surface of Mukooda Lake for transportation purposes when traveling non-stop on the most direct route
(a)(2)(i) Weapons (excluding legal firearms), traps, or nets may only be carried, possessed or used at the following designated times and locations:
- Nets and spears may be possessed for non‑commercial use within the park in accordance with State law.
(a) The sites and areas listed below have been designated for camping activities. A permit system has been established for certain campgrounds or camping activities, and conditions for camping and camping activities are in effect as noted:
Permits:
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All overnight use requires a camping permit from www.recreation.gov except:
- use and occupancy residents on their leased land
- private landowners on their private lands
- concession users staying in concession facilities
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One permit is required for each houseboat that uses the park overnight
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One permit is required for each group of associated campers using the same site
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Permits must be issued in the name of a person in the actual camping party
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Transferring or selling a camping permit is prohibited
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Camping permits must be physically present and displayed at the campsite
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When a reservation has been made for a tent campsite, failure to physically occupy the site within 24 hours of the reservation start time voids the reservation
(This clarification ensures that each group that occupies a houseboat is accounted for within the park’s overnight permit system. Improved accountability of use by each houseboat will ensure accurate data collection and visitor use trends within the park.)
Designated Sites or Areas:
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Tent camping use is allowed at designated campsites
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Houseboat overnight use is allowed at designated houseboat sites and at undesignated sites
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Undesignated houseboat sites are used on a first-come, first-serve basis
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Houseboats camping at an undesignated site is prohibited from mooring within 200 yards of the permanent NPS metal campfire ring of any designated campsite or houseboat site, any sign designating a trailhead, structure, or day use site or any occupied undesignated site
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All overnight use is prohibited at:
- Designated day use sites, picnic areas, public docks, trailheads, parking areas, boat launch sites and structures
- On National Park Service land bordering the Black Bay Wildlife Management Area during Minnesota waterfowl hunting season
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Within 1/4 mile of the Park's developed areas, including the parking lots, roads and picnic areas at the Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Ash River visitor centers, Kettle Falls and on lands under a use and occupancy reservation without the tenant’s permission
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Any undeveloped campsite located in a small bay on the southeast edge of Cherry Nose Island. (Cherry Nose Island is located southwest of Cemetery Island on Kabetogama Lake)
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At Sweet Nose Island, and within 200 feet of the “no camping” signs at Williams Island, Sprague’s Point and Woodenfrog Islands
(An April 11, 2007 internal staff review of resources and current camping practices determined that:)
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The level of camping at these undesignated sites has been observed at a significant level to create harm to the resources and/or the overlying protective soils and vegetation
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Resources at these sites were deemed to offer significant value requiring special protection
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The NPS documented resource impacts at these sites from undesignated camping, and the level of impact was identified as moderate or severe
Overnight is defined to be from sunset to sunrise, or any portion thereof.
Camping means the erecting of a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material for use, parking of a motor vehicle, motor home or trailer, or mooring of a vessel for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.
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All tent campsites are designated as reservable and require a permit from recreation.gov
for use.
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Houseboat overnight use at designated and undesignated houseboat sites require a permit from recreation.gov
Conditions:
- Erecting tents on other than an established tent pad is prohibited
- Exceptions are designated Backcountry sites on Interior Lakes that may not have tent pads, and the Blueberry Ridge (H2) and Red Pine (H1) backcountry sites located on the Kab-Ash trail. Camping at Kab-Ash trail sites is allowed only within 100 feet of the designated campsite sign.
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Houseboats must be actively used (physically occupied by an individual or person) on an overnight basis and cannot be left unattended to ‘hold’ a site for future use
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Check in time for permit holders of a reservable campsite is 3 pm or later
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Check out time for permit holders of a reservable campsite is 12 pm or earlier
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Fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, and all other legal recreational pursuits is prohibited within 200 yards of an occupied reserved campsite except by members of the permitted camping group
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Day use of non-reserved campsites is allowed from 12 pm – 2 pm.
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Mooring of houseboats to NPS docks is prohibited, except at the following day-use locations:
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Rainy Lake Visitor Center
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Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
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Ash River Visitor Center
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Anderson Bay trailhead
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Locator Lake trailhead
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Group campsites (Rainy and Kabetogama)
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Little Cedar Island day use site
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Dryweed Island day use site
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Sheen Point day use site
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Overnight mooring at these sites is prohibited.
(This prohibition is implemented to prevent damage to docks and/or houseboats attached to them. Other docks are not designed to support the mooring weight of a houseboat in windy conditions. Tent camping is prohibited due to the absence of toilet facilities at houseboat sites and the history of human waste improperly deposited in the area of the houseboat site.)
Houseboats are defined as registered vessels that contain sleeping facilities, cooking and food storage facilities, and a no-discharge toilet.
Overnight Use Limits:
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At front country sites overnight use is limited to no more than 14 consecutive nights and no more than a total of 30 nights in the park in a calendar year, except for group campsites
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At group campsites overnight use is limited to 7 consecutive nights and no more than a total of 7 nights in a calendar year
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At backcountry sites overnight use is limited to 7 consecutive nights and no more than a total of 7 nights in a calendar year
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Overnight use of park backcountry boat rentals is limited to 7 consecutive nights and no more than a total of 7 nights in a calendar year
These limits do not apply to: use-and-occupancy residences, staying on private lands, and guests in concession facilities.
Front country is defined as legally accessible by motor vehicle or motorboat and Backcountry is defined as legally accessible only by foot or non-motorized boat.
Capacity Use Limits:
- Small campsites may be occupied by 1 to 9 people
- Large campsites may be occupied by 1 to 18 people
- Group campsites may be occupied by 14 to 30 people
- Group campsites are limited to a maximum of 5 houseboats
- Houseboat sites limited to a maximum of 2 houseboats
- Rental Canoes and Rowboats may be utilized by 1 to 3 people
(b)(3) Camping within 25 feet of a fire hydrant or main road, or within 100 feet of a flowing stream, river or body of water is authorized only in the following areas, under the conditions noted:
Houseboats:
- Houseboat mooring at an undesignated site is allowed but not within 200 yards of the permanent NPS metal campfire ring of any designated campsite or houseboat site, any sign designating a trailhead, structure, or day use site or any occupied undesignated site
- Houseboats may stay at designated houseboat sites or moor out
- Sailboats and Cabin Cruisers, regardless of their capabilities, are permitted to use tent sites with a valid tent camping permit. Other Houseboats are prohibited from using tent sites.
All other camping:
- All other camping is allowed at designated and established tent sites
(d) Conditions for the storage of food are in effect, as noted, for the following areas:
- From April 1 to November 30 - All food, lawfully taken fish, garbage, and equipment used to store food (such as ice chests) in all park areas must be kept in closed and locked compartments of a vehicle or vessel, bear‑proof food storage locker, hung from a bear pole, or suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet horizontally from a post, tree trunk, or other object. This storage requirement does not apply when previously described items are being transported, consumed, or prepared for consumption.
- Food, lawfully taken fish or wildlife, garbage, and equipment used to store food will be exempted from the above requirements if these items are stored within containers manufactured and tested as bear resistant food storage containers. Approved containers must be used and locked according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Examples of approved containers can be found at the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) at:
Yeti Coolers are only bear resistant when bolts or padlocks are utilized with the predrilled corners.
Return to Superintendent's Compendium Contents
Public picnicking and day use activities are prohibited in the following areas:
- Concessioner facilities where tables are provided as part of a food service operation
- Developed campsites that are in use, or occupied by campers with a valid camping permit
- Developed campsites after 2 p.m.
- NPS residential, maintenance, service and utility areas
- Designated houseboat sites
- Undeveloped or non-established sites within 200 yards of any developed or established day use site, campsite, houseboat site, trailhead sign, dock, or structure.
Conditions:
- Use of designated day use sites is limited to no more than 18 people total
- Use of designated day use sites is only allowed between sunrise and sunset
36 CFR 2.13 – FIRES
(a)(1) The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas and/or receptacles, and under the conditions noted:
Designated Areas:
- designated tent and houseboat camping sites
- undesignated houseboat camping sites
- day use sites
Numbers of and types of Receptacles Allowed:
- NPS metal fire rings
- (1) rock ring at undesignated houseboats
- (1) non- NPS fire pan at undesignated houseboats
Conditions:
The park concurs with Minnesota state law and regulation regarding fire wood. What is approved firewood? Firewood purchased from a vendor that is either
- non-ash firewood harvested from and purchased in the same county where it will be used (be sure to keep your receipt to show proof of purchase)
- firewood harvested in Minnesota that has been certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (be sure to keep your receipt to show proof of purchase)
- Kiln-dried, unpainted, unstained dimensional lumber that is free of any metal or foreign substances, or manufactured logs. Pallet wood is not approved firewood. Dimensional lumber does not require proof of purchase
www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewood/index.html
“Buy local, burn local” (MNDNR)
- Burning of trash, including but not limited to plastics, Styrofoam, glass, and metal cans is prohibited
(This restriction is consistent with firewood restrictions in Minnesota State Parks. Prohibiting this type of wood is necessary to protect Voyageurs National Park from infestations of emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, Sirex wood wasp, Asian long-horned beetle, and a number of other wood-boring insects. It also protects against decay, fungi and pathogens that cause Dutch elm disease, oak wilt and sudden oak death.)
Use and Occupancy Reservations:
- The legal occupant of federally owned lands under a use and occupancy reservation is allowed to have a campfire while utilizing said property unless temporary emergency restrictions are enacted.
- A state burning permit is required for burning brush or debris and must be in accordance with State and Federal air quality regulation and law.
(a)(2) The following restrictions are in effect for the use of stoves or lanterns:
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Lighting and maintaining a fire which is contained in or on a raised platform that is not in contact with the ground, is permitted within the park (e.g. barbecue style grill, cook stove)
(b) Fires must be extinguished according to the following conditions:
All Ash, Coals, and Wood:
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Must have no visible fire, burning, smoldering, or smoke emanating from them
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And must be cold to a hand touch
36 CFR §2.14 – SANITATION and REFUSE
(a)(2) The use of government refuse receptacles or facilities for dumping household, Commercial, or industrial refuse, brought as such from private or municipal property is allowed under the following conditions:
None; the act is prohibited.(b) Conditions for the disposal, containerization, or carryout of human body waste have been established as follows:
- In all backcountry and front country camping settings that don’t provide a park privy (including dispersed camping), human waste must be:
- Carried out and disposed of in an approved trash receptacle
- or
- Buried 6 inches or more in the ground and must be more than 100 feet of a flowing stream, river, or body of water
(a)(1) The following structures and/or areas are closed to the possession of pets:
Exceptions:
- Front country campsites and day use sites (within 100’ of the shoreline on Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point lakes)
- Outdoor developed public use areas, parking areas, walkways, and boat ramps
- Lake surfaces (frozen or open water) on which motorboats are allowed
- The Rainy Lake Visitor Center Recreation Trail
- When adequate ice and snow conditions are present, dog teams and dog sleds are permitted on frozen lake surfaces of Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes within the park. They are also allowed on designated snowmobile trails and portages except the Chain of Lake Trail. No permits shall be issued for allowing dogs to enter the Chain of Lakes Trail.
NOTE: “The regulation authorizes the superintendent to close other areas of the park to the possession of dogs, cats and other pets. The Service has determined that most commemorative, wilderness, natural and backcountry zones should be closed to the possession of pets. Subparagraph (a)(1) provides the authority to implement the closures necessary to protect the values enumerated in §1.5(a).” [48 FR 30267, June 30, 1983]
NOTE: Pet means dogs, cats, or any animal that has been domesticated. [36 CFR §1.4]
(a)(5) Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:
- All pet excrement must be collected immediately and disposed of in an approved trash receptacle.
- Park employee housing consistent with park housing policy
- Park buildings and facilities upon superintendent’s written authorization
36 CFR §2.17 – AIRCRAFT and AIR DELIVERY
(a)(1) Areas designated for operating or using aircraft are provided for in section 7.33(a)(2) The operation or use of aircraft under power on water within 500 feet of designated swimming beaches, boat docks, piers, or ramps is permitted in the following areas, under the conditions noted:
- All areas of the park
NOTE: Section (c)(1) authorizes the superintendent to establish procedures for the removal of an aircraft; establish a timeframe for the removal; determine times and means of access to the site and specify the manner or method of removal. The intent of this section is to allow superintendents control over the recovery of downed aircraft through a permitting process. [48 FR 30268, June 30, 1983]
(c) Snowmobiles may be operated only on routes designated in Title 36 CFR Section 7.33(b)
(d)(4) Maximum speed limit:
- 25 mph on all safety portages and land trails
- 45 mph on all frozen lake surfaces
- Exception: the Minnesota state trail Voyageur Snowmobile Trail traversing through a small section of the park near the Moose River Grade is 50 mph to reflect Minnesota's maximum snowmobile speed limit
(This is to seek enforcement consistency with the state regulations given that this area is frequently patrolled by Minnesota Department of Natural Resource officers and park rangers).
(c) Failure to abide by area designations or activity restrictions established under this section is prohibited.
Conditions:
- Allowing ice blocks to remain on the frozen lake surface is prohibited
- Constructing, maintaining, or using a structure, windbreak or shelter made of snow or ice on the frozen lake surface is prohibited
- Plowing to construct or maintain a roadway on the frozen lake surface which exceeds 300' in length or more than 300' from the plowed edge of the established NPS ice road, without a permit, is prohibited
- Plowing snow on the frozen lake surface which creates a risk of jeopardy to snowmobiles by creating berms with peaked or abrupt edges or piles that stand more than 3' tall, is prohibited
- The following activities within 50' of the centerline of snowmobile trails are prohibited:
- Placement of equipment or any type of structure
- Fishing activity or other forms of recreational activity except snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, and other strictly human powered forms of travel
- The following activities within 50' of the plowed edge of the established NPS ice roads are prohibited:
- Placement of equipment or any type of structure
- Drilling or cutting of holes in the ice for fishing or other activities
- Operating any form of a motorized vehicle other than a snowmobile or towing any forms of a trailer other than toboggan or on skis across, over, or along within 50’ of the center line of the designated snowmobile trail is prohibited, except at NPS designated and posted crossing locations. This prohibition does not apply to snowmobile-trail grooming machinery operating under agreement with the NPS.
- The frozen lake surface of Rainy, Kabetogama, Sand Point, and Namakan lakes are designated for motor vehicle (and tracked vehicles) use. However, all land, shores, and portages remain closed to motor vehicles unless allowed by regulation.
- Any type of vehicle like a Snowbear (vehicle with skis and/or tracked wheels) are not allowed on land portages in the park.
- (Although classified as a snowmobile in Minnesota statute, the width of such vehicles would make it unsafe for oncoming traffic on the narrow and winding portages. In addition, the weight of such vehicles is a concern in that it could degrade groomed and maintained snowmobile trails on portages and cause resource damage to plants and soils).
- A designated ski trail leading from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to the Black Bay ski trails may be maintained by the NPS prior to the opening of the Rainy Lake Ice Road. Skiing is the only allowed recreation use for this trail. Once the ice road is put into place, the ski trail will not be maintained.
- (Under the park’s enabling legislation the park may make appropriate provisions for winter sports. The park also adopts state law in regards to the manner of fishing. The use of a vehicle and tip-ups is a manner of fishing and currently used in area lakes. Unless specifically addressed by regulations, traffic and the use of vehicles within a park area are governed by State law. The State of Minnesota does not prohibit the use of motor vehicles on a frozen lake surface.)
(This compendium restriction is in response to public safety concerns resulting from fishing activity conducted on those trails open to snowmobile use as designated in 36 CFR 7.33b. Conflicting public activity within a designated trail must be prohibited in order to reduce the risk of injury or death to park visitors. Environmental conditions including poor light, inadequate depth perception and blowing snow can easily reduce the ability of a snowmobile operator to safely respond to, stop and/or avoid people, structures and materials located within a designated snowmobile trail. All designated trails are inspected and groomed (except the overland portages and the chain of lakes trail), to a width of 60’. An additional 40’ width beyond the groomed designated trail area serves as a shoulder for snowmobiles to pull over and stop. This public use restriction will aid in avoiding unsafe visitor activities within 100’ of designated snowmobile trails. This restriction is not expected to cause significant public controversy.)
(This closure designation is merely for clarity of the general prohibition 36 CFR 4.10(a) Operating a motor vehicle is prohibited except on park roads, in parking areas, and on routes and areas designated for off-road motor vehicle use.)
36 CFR §2.20 – SKATING, SKATEBOARDS and SIMILAR DEVICES
The use of roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, coasting vehicles, or similar devices are allowed only in the following areas:
- Rainy Lake Recreation Trail
36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKING
(a) The following portions of the park, or all or portions of buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking as noted:- All Park buildings, structures, and facilities
36 CFR §2.22 – PROPERTY
(a)(2) Property may be left unattended for periods longer than 24 hours in the following areas and under the following conditions:- Structures used for fishing on frozen lake surfaces during the ice fishing season and in compliance with state laws
- Visitors camping on public lands adjacent to or within the park may leave their vehicles and boat trailers at designated parking areas
- Overnight users of private cabins and leased land may not leave vehicles or boat trailers in public parking areas for more than 24 hours
- Leaving unattended items associated with ‘geo caching’, which is an activity related to the use of GPS and the internet to locate a hidden cache of materials on park lands, is prohibited. These unattended items will be considered abandoned and impounded whenever located. All other unattended property which is not included in part 2.22 (a)(2) may be impounded after 24 hours.
36 CFR §2.23 – RECREATION FEES
(b) Recreation fees, and/or a permit, in accordance with 36 CFR part 71, are established for the following entrance fee areas, and/or for the use of the following specialized sites, facilities, equipment or services, or for participation in the following group activity, recreation events or specialized recreation uses:Entrance Fee Areas:
- All park areas designated for overnight use
36 CFR §2.35 –ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES and CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
(a)(3)(i) The following public use areas, portions of public use areas, and/or public facilities within the park are closed to consumption of alcoholic beverages, and/or to the possession of a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed:
- The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all visitor centers and National Park Service owned vessels and vehicles except under the terms of a special use permit issued by the Superintendent.
36 CFR §2.51 –PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES, MEETINGS
(e) The following areas for Public Assemblies are designated on maps available in the Office of the Superintendent:
- Rainy Lake Visitor Center and boat launching facility:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area in the western end of the boat launch parking lot near the first island
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. grassy area at the southwest end of the upper parking lot
- Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center and boat launching facility:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area on the small point directly north of the launch ramp near the east end of the parking lot
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area of grassy between the dumpsters and the bulletin board at the east end of the parking lot
- Ash River Visitor Center and boat launching facility:
- 50 ft. by 50ft. area between the visitor center and the lower parking lot
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area between the visitor center and the middle parking lot
- Headquarters Administrative Building:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area located on the grass adjacent to the west side of the concrete walkway entrance
(e) The following areas are designated on a map in the Office of the Superintendent for sale and distribution of printed matter:
- Rainy Lake Visitor Center and boat launching facility:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area in the western end of the boat launch parking lot near the first island
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. grassy area at the southwest end of the upper parking lot
- Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center and boat launching facility:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area on the small point directly north of the launch ramp near the east end of the parking lot
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area of grassy between the dumpsters and the bulletin board at the east end of the parking lot
- Ash River Visitor Center and boat launching facility:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area between the visitor center and the lower parking lot
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area between the visitor center and the middle parking lot
- Headquarters Administrative Building:
- 50 ft. by 50 ft. area located on the grass adjacent to the west side of the concrete walkway entrance
Return to Superintendent's Compendium Contents
(a)(2) The following are designated boat launch sites:
- Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat ramp
- Kabetogama Visitor Center boat ramp
- Ash River Visitor Center boat ramp
- The developed shoreline on the southwest shore of Kabetogama Lake where the shoreline is not owned by the park
- Both developed boat ramps on the Rainy and Namakan side of Kettle Falls portage road
- The shoreline directly adjacent to the interior lakes:
- managed under the NPS “Boats On Interior Lakes” program are allowed only for the launching and recovering of NPS boats
- boats authorized under a commercial use authorization
- The launching of privately owned boats is prohibited on any interior lake
36 CFR §3.12 – WATER SKIING
(a) The following waters are designated for towing of a person by a vessel:Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point lakes except in the following areas:
- King Williams Narrows between the Park boundary and Sand Point Lake navigational buoy #27
- Namakan Narrows between navigational day marker #12 and Namakan Lake navigational day marker #14
- Kettle Falls area between navigational buoy #41 and the dam on Rainy Lake and between the dam and 100 feet west of Squirrel Narrows on Namakan Lake
- Ash River Narrows from 100 feet beyond each end of the narrows on Kabetogama Lake
- Brule Narrows between navigational buoy #12 and #32 on Rainy Lake
- In designated channels
The following speed limits for wheeled, roadway vehicles are established:
- The maximum speed limit on all designated ice roads is 30 mph
- The maximum speed limit on NPS-1 road is 35 mph, unless posted otherwise
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36 CFR §4.30 — BICYCLES
E-Bikes:
The term "e-bike" means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.).
E-bikes are allowed in Voyageurs National Park where traditional bicycles are allowed; this includes the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail, County 96 Road (Rainy Lake Visitor Center Road), and the Meadwood Road (Ash River Visitor Center Road). E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.
A person operating an e-bike is subject to the following sections of 36 CFR part 5 that apply to the use of traditional bicycles: sections 4.12, 4.13, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, and 4.30(h) (2)-(5).
Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within Voyageurs National Park is governed by Minnesota State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited.
(E-bikes are a relatively new technology that advance Healthy Parks Healthy People goals to promote parks as a health resource by supporting a healthy park experience that is accessible, desirable, and relatable to people of all abilities, and by minimizing human impact through the expansion of active transportation options in parks. Specifically, e-bikes can increase bicycle access to and within parks, expand the option of bicycling to more people, and mitigate environmental impacts through reduced carbon emissions. The superintendent has determined that expanding access of e-bikes, per the definitions and restrictions above, to areas in the park where bicycles are already allowed does not pose additional safety or resource protection concerns).
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36 CFR §7.33 - FISHING
(a) The following is designated:
- The possession of live and/or organic bait is prohibited on all park waters except:
- Rainy Lake
- Kabetogama Lake
- Namakan Lake
- Sand Point Lakes
- Live and/or organic bait may be possessed on the frozen surface of Mukooda Lake for transportation purposes when traveling non-stop on the most direct route.
(This prohibition is implemented to prevent the introduction of aquatic based exotic species and fish diseases, in particular spiny water flea- Bythotrephes longimanus, into waters free of exotic or invasive species and fish diseases. Water sampling efforts on Rainy and Namakan Lakes during 2006 revealed the presence of spiny water flea. The Minnesota DNR has identified all four major lakes within the park as infested with spiny water flea. The impact of Spiny water flea can be potentially devastating to aquatic organisms as it competes with native zooplankton and minnows for food. This competition can disrupt the food chain at its base with potentially significant effects farther up the chain. Research has shown that physical characteristics of the spiny water flea allow it to cling to surfaces of boats or maintain viable eggs out of water for up to 12 hours. Interior lakes are currently managed as water bodies that are not infested with spiny water flea.
This restriction is established to support the intent of Minnesota state statute corresponding to the management of activities on adjacent waters declared to be infested by the Minnesota state DNR. An administrative determination to implement this restriction was completed and adopted by the Park Superintendent on June 19, 2007.)
36 CFR §7.33 - AIRCRAFT
(c)(4) The following areas are closed to aircraft:
-
Docks at public boat launch ramps and the lake area immediate to such structures
-
Overnight mooring of aircraft within the park is prohibited except when used to conduct overnight camping with a valid camping permit or when permitted by special use permit.
- All open waters within the parks boundary except on the waters of:
- Rainy Lake
- Kabetogama Lake
- Namakan Lake
- Sand Point Lake
- All frozen waters within the parks boundary, except for ski-equipped aircraft on the frozen lake surface of:
- Rainy Lake
- Kabetogama Lake
- Namakan Lake
- Sand Point Lake
- Locator Lake
- War Club Lake
- Quill Lake
- Loiten Lake
- Mukooda Lake
- Little Trout Lake
- Shoepack Lake
(These prohibitions are implemented to prevent the introduction of aquatic based exotic species and fish diseases, in particular spiny water flea- Bythotrephes longimanus, into waters free of exotic or invasive species and fish diseases. Water sampling efforts on Rainy and Namakan Lakes during 2006 revealed the presence of spiny water flea. The Minnesota DNR has identified all four major lakes within the park as infested with spiny water flea. The impact of Spiny water flea can be potentially devastating to aquatic organisms as it competes with native zooplankton and minnows for food. This competition can disrupt the food chain at its base with potentially significant effects farther up the chain. Research has shown that physical characteristics of the spiny water flea allow it to cling to surfaces of boats or maintain viable eggs out of water for up to 12 hours. Interior lakes are currently managed as water bodies that are not infested with spiny water flea. This restriction is established to support the intent of Minnesota state statute corresponding to the management of activities on waters declared to be infested by the Minnesota state DNR. An administrative determination to implement these restrictions were completed and adopted by the Park Superintendent on June 19, 2007.
Winter-time aircraft are prohibited from landing on the frozen lake surface of interior lakes, aside from those excepted. These protected lakes are wilderness designated (or managed as such) which prohibits the use/impact of motorized equipment.)
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PUBLIC NOTICE: Security Camera Monitoring
In accordance with National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Reference Manual 9 (RM-9), notice is hereby given that Voyageurs National Park uses Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security camera monitoring.The NPS’s use of CCTV for law enforcement and security purposes and will only be to visually monitor public park areas and public activities where no constitutionally protected reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Such CCTV use – which will have adequate privacy and First Amendment safeguards – will be to help ensure public safety and security; facilitate the detection, investigation, prevention, and deterrence of terrorist activity; help ensure the safety of citizens and officers; help assist in the proper allocation and deployment of law enforcement and public safety resources; and help facilitate the protection of the innocent and the apprehension and prosecution of criminals.
This policy does not restrict the official use of CCTV in government administrative areas, including administrative buildings, jail holding facilities, revenue collection sites, etc., where the government may record/monitor its facilities. For example, the government may perform unrestricted video/audio recording at revenue collection points (entrance stations, visitor center counters, etc.). This policy does not restrict the use of an Audio/Visual Recording Device (AVRD) in patrol vehicles or officer-worn recording devices used by commissioned rangers.
Operation of CCTV cameras will be in accordance with NPS and Department policy. No person will be targeted or monitored merely because of race, religion, gender, sex, disability, national origin, or political affiliation or views.
Nothing in this policy statement is intended to create any rights, privileges, or benefits not otherwise recognized by law.
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Appendix A
Last updated: April 10, 2021