Staff at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is looking for public input on the boat tours offered in the park.

Through this public scoping opportunity the park is primarily seeking input related to the following questions:

• Have you been on a boat tour at Voyageurs National Park?
• If so, would you consider going on a boat tour again?
• What do you like about the boat tours that you have been on?
• What do you want to see improve on the boat tours?
• If you have not been on a Voyageurs National Park boat tour, please share why. (Examples of reasons may include having not been to the park, cost-prohibitive, No interest, did not know Voyageurs offers boat tours.)
• What other comments might you have related to the current and future operation of tour boats within the park?

Voyageurs National Park encompasses 218,000 acres, 40 percent (84,000 acres) of which is comprised of water. The park has more than 655 miles of undeveloped shoreline, and more than 500 islands. The primary large lakes of the park include the United States portions of Rainy, Namakan, and Sand Point lakes, and all of Kabetogama Lake.

Additionally, the northern shore of Crane Lake forms a portion of the park boundary. Watercraft travel is a primary method for exploring the park. Many visitors coming to the park may not have access to watercraft, making tour boat operations essential to providing an opportunity for people to connect to the natural and cultural resources of the park.

Currently the NPS operates two tour boat opportunities within the park, one out of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, located 15 miles east of International Falls, Minnesota; the other from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, in the community of Kabetogama, Minnesota. Boat tours typically begin in mid-June and operate through the end of September.

The Rainy Lake tours are provided from the 45 passenger Voyageur tour boat, that offers a 2.5-hour Grand Tour, and a 2-hour Life on the Lake Tour. More information on these tours can be found at https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/rainy-lake-area-programs-and-tours.htm

The Kabetogama Lake/Namakan Basin tours are provided from an 18 passenger pontoon. Tours from this area include the 5.5-hour Kettle Falls Cruise, and a 1.5-hour Ellsworth Rock Garden Cruise. More information is at https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/kabetogama-lake-area-programs-and-tours.htm

Additionally, both tour boats are available for charter opportunities when staffing and boat availability allow.

You may provide input on your understanding of the current operations, and suggestions for future operations in the park by visiting the NPS’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/VNPBoatTours. Public input may also be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to: Superintendent, Voyageurs National Park, 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649. The public scoping/comment period will be open for 60 days from Friday, December 11, 2019 through Monday, February 8, 2020.