New Park Fee Collection method - Online now available!

[Tom]

According to the Greenstone, the concessionaire boats (Queen IV, Voyageur II, Sea Hunter III) will not be collecting the NPS fee, instead you will pay the NPS directly when you arrive.

They are offering a pre-payment (electronic) option:

https://pay.gov/public/form/start/67093923

(There are other forms, for group, annual pass, etc.) Visit pay.gov, and search for "Isle Royale" to see the available forms.
You are encouraged to pay and print the form before you arrive, to cut your time in line. ACH (Check), Credit Card, Dwolla, and PayPal are all available.

[Ingo]

Makes sense, especially since they started collecting it separately from the boat ticket. I'm sure the folks in Grand Portage and Copper Harbor agree.

[MikeT]

I am sure this is a relief to the transportation people.
However, I believe they need to clarify this a bit more:
- You can also purchase your day use permit at the office in Houghton.
- Individual season passes and boat rider season passes are not available through this site and must be purchased by calling the office in Houghton.

Questions I have:
- Can you purchase individual day user fees over the phone to Houghton?
- Can you purchase individual season passes and boat rider season passes at Rock Harbor and Windigo?
- The site does not say it, but I am guessing you can purchase your day passes and season passes while on the Ranger?

I am trying to update the book (again) with this info and I am not sure. Might have to call the headquarters on Monday.

Also, the link above is for individual permits, for those looking for permits for groups, etc., you need to go to pay.gov and search Isle Royale.

[tree rattt]

Anybody know if they take credit or debit cards on the island for this fee? Is it cash only? I never have cash on me....always had to make a special point to get cash for the fee before.

[MikeT]

I am 99% sure they will take cards, but I will ask. I plan on calling tomorrow to ask the questions I have and order our season passes. I will post the answers here.

[fonixmunkee]

I would love to hear Capt Don's $0.02 on this.

[jrwiesz]

Go to the web site https://pay.gov/public/form/start/67093923

They take cards online, no reason to think they won't take them on Isle.

[MikeT]

I talked to the Park Office in Houghton to get some concrete answers today.
Daily User fees can be purchased:
(1) on the website at pay.gov
(2) with Credit Card, cash or check in Houghton, Windigo, Rock Harbor and on the Ranger
(3) over the phone to Houghton and they will Email or mail you the permit

Individual Season Passes and Boat Rider Season Passes can only be purchased in Houghton or over the phone to Houghton

They made it clear they are hoping people purchase their user fees in advance.
One question I meant to ask, but forgot is, how they are going to handle refunds? Or, if they will give refunds?

[Capt Don]

Mike, I asked in my conversation with the park last week. They told me they would give refunds, it will be credited back to the card. In order for this to happen you will need to contact the park, they will require some sort of proof of purchase and arrival and departure dates and then they can initiate the refund process. This is through the pay.gov system, if someone pays with cash or check, I don't know. I do know in the past a cash refund after wee remitted the fee was a long drawn out affair involving a check being issued from Washington DC or so I was told.

[tree rattt]

Thanks for the info and leg work Mike T. Always appreciated!