The National Park Service (NPS) announced on September 3, 2025, it will host a site visit at Kettle Falls Hotel in Voyageurs National Park on September 29.
The hotel offers the only lodging in Voyageurs National Park. The site visit allows potential bidders to personally evaluate the
concession operation prior to deciding whether to enter into the process of putting together a formal proposal.
The pre-solicitation September date was also scheduled to beat likely northern Minnesota winter weather conditions during which the hotel is closed. Parties intending to attend the site visit must notify the National Park Service by Friday, September 19. The park office phone number is (218)-283-6600.
NPS indicated it anticipates releasing a formal prospectus for the concession in early 2026. A formal prospectus for the concession released in spring 2023 did not attract any bidders.
The concession includes a historic hotel with 10 guest rooms, 10 villa units in three buildings on the lake, food and beverage service in the hotel guest transportation by boat to Kettle Falls from the Ash River Visitor Center, marina services, retail and boat portage services between Rainy and Namakan Lakes.
The concessionaire is also offered the possibility of a variety of other activities to enhance revenues including fishing guide services, kayak and canoe rental, dockside electrical hookups, minor boat repair, and more.
The concession’s gross receipts in 2023 and 2024 were $875,003 and $925,322, respectively.
While Kettle Falls is an excellent destination for people who like to fish, we don’t fish, have visited on two occasions, and each time had a wonderful experience. Walking down the lane from the hotel to the dam where fur traders once portaged their canoes around a falls is one of our favorite travel memories.
David and Kay Scott live in Valdosta, GA, and are authors of “Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges” (Globe Pequot). Visit them at blog.valdosta.edu/dlscott
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