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Reservation Policies

Table of Contents

Definitions
Campsite Capacities
Reservation Limitations
Fees, Discounts, Payment Methods and Confirmations
Reservation Windows
Reservation Changes
Cancellation Policies
Reservation Refunds
First-Come, First-Served Campers Occupying Reserveable Sites
Arrival of Customers
Customer Requests to Switch Resources
Departure of Campers or Cabin users

Appendix A: Campsite Types Defined
Appendix B: Reservation & Change Fees
Appendix C: Cancellation Fees

Definitions

The following definitions apply throughout these business rules:

Annual Vehicle Permit—A vehicle entrance permit affixed to the lower left hand corner of the windshield on the vehicle or camping unit registered to the owner. This allows entrance to all ND state parks for the year purchased.

Cabin/Yurt—A NDPR resource defined as an enclosed structure designed for overnight lodging.

Calendar Year—The one year period beginning January 1st and ending December 31st.

Camping Day—Any portion of a 24-hour period beginning at 2:00 p.m. that a camper occupies a campsite. The camper must vacate the campsite on the last camping day by 1:00 p.m. (both reservable campers and first-come, first-served campers).

Camping Fee—A fee determined by NDPR and collected as payment to use a campsite.  The camping fee is determined by available amenities, whether used or not.

Camping Limit—A fourteen (14) camping day limit in any consecutive 30-day period at one park.

Camping Permit—A permit affixed to the campsite post indicating the customer name and the number of camping nights purchased.

Camping Unit—Any vehicle or shelter specifically used for sleeping in or upon a portion of state land designated as a campsite.

Campsite—A NDPR resource defined as any area so designated for the express purpose of camping. A campsite would normally include the following items:  A camping pad, parking pad, picnic table and fire ring.  See Appendix A: Campsite Types Defined.

Comfort Station—A restroom with sinks, flush toilets and showers.

Complex Reservation—A reservation where multiple resources are necessary to fulfill consecutive dates in the same park for one reservation fee.

Confirmed Reservation—A reservation for which payment has been received and verified.

Daily Vehicle Permit—A vehicle entrance permit affixed to the lower left hand corner of the vehicle or camping unit windshield allowing entrance to the park for each day purchased.

• With Camping – expires at 1 p.m. the following day.
• Day Use – expires ½ hour after sunset on the day of purchase

Disabled American Veteran (DAV) and Prisoner of War (POW)—ND residents only, with Veterans Administration proof of disability or status, or ND DAV/POW license plates.

Disabled Person—A person who is mentally, physically or emotionally disadvantaged to the extent that the disability impairs their mobility and/or may prevent that person from using regular outdoor recreational facilities.

Facility Use Agreement—A contract required to rent NDPR meeting halls and shelters.

First Come First Serve (FCFS)—This is a resource designated by the NDPR as First Come First Serve availability.  Reservations will not be accepted for these resources.  This can also refer to a reserveable resource for which the reservation window has passed.

Full Service Season—The period of time when all available park services are in operation.

Limited Service Season—The period of time when reduced park services are available to the public.

Meeting Hall—A NDPR resource available for rent. These can be large facilities or small meeting rooms.

Online Management System (OMS)—The NDPR’s software application for the reservation of park resources. 

Order Number—A number that refers to one or more reservations made in one transaction. 

Reservation—The advance booking of an individual resource for a contiguous period of time and a commitment to hold the resource for a specified duration.

Reservation Cancellation—Action by the reservation party, prior to arrival, to cancel the entire reservation. A cancellation fee may apply.  See Appendix C.

Reservation Change— An action to change one or more of the parameters of the customer’s reservation. Shall include the collection of any additional payment or the refund of monies. A change fee may apply. See Appendix B.

Reservation Hold Time—A pre-determined length of time that the online shopping cart will hold a resource to complete the checkout process.

Reservation Fee—A fee determined by NDPR to process a reservation. See Appendix B.

Reservation No-Show—A non-occupied reserved resource that has been paid for.  The resource will remain empty in the event the reservation party shows.  Park staff will not re-sell the resource without verification from the reservation organizer that they will not be using the resource.

Reservation Number—A unique number assigned to each individual reservation that identifies a customer’s reservation for a specific resource for a designated amount of time.  A reservation number(s) is part of an order number.

Reservation Organizer—The person that initially makes a reservation, via telephone or online, and who has financial responsibility for the reservation.   

Reservation Season—The timeline for which reservations are available. (See 95 day window reservation).

Reservation Transaction—Each telephone contact or online session that results in a new reservation change(s) to a reservation, or cancellation of the reservation.

Reservation Window—A rolling period of time in which reservations are accepted for all reserveable resources.  Online and Call Center reservations are available 24 hours a day.

Resource—Any entity, i.e.: Campsite, Cabin, Meeting Hall, Etc., in a park that can be rented for a specified amount of time.

Refund—A return to the customer of resource fees caused by a change or cancellation of the reservation transaction upon approval by NDPR.  A Cancellation fee may apply.

Senior Discount—Annual Entrance permit discount for ND Residents age 65 & older.

Shelter—A NDPR resource available for rent.  These are open air covered structures generally used for picnics and or group gatherings.  These are available in all state parks.

Vault Toilet—A primitive restroom with non flushable toilet. No water available.

Campsite Capacities

Campsite capacities are necessary to ensure a quality camping experience for our visitors and to protect the natural and recreational resources of our camping areas. 

A. A single campsite capacity: One (1) camping unit with up to six people allowed per campsite. Exception: An additional tent may be allowed for a single-family with minor children, less than 18 years of age. Permission of park management required.

1. All wheeled equipment/vehicles must fit on the parking pad/area unless special management regulations of the facility allow parking along roads or grass adjacent to the campsite. There is limited additional parking in designated areas in or near the campground. If available, the owner may be required to park at a location away from the campground.

B. Electrical Capacity:  Only the unit assigned to an electrical campsite may use the electric source.  Plug-ins shall not exceed receptacles provided at the pedestal. 

C. Design Capacity:  Physical design capacities of a campsite are not to be exceeded.  Keep all wheels and tires on the designated parking pad at all times.

D. Use of Generators/Quiet Hours:  The use of generators is prohibited during quiet hours, between 1/2 hour after sunset and 7am.  However, each facility manager has the discretion to limit the use of generators, particularly when the exhaust fumes or noise is intrusive to neighboring campers. 

Reservation Limitations

A. Maximum Stay:  The maximum stay of any one camper, camping group, camping unit or cabin occupant shall not exceed 14 camping nights in any consecutive 30-day period at one facility. Once the 14-night maximum has been reached, all customers must exit the facility for at least 16 days.  This applies to both reservation and first-come customers.

B. Number of Campsites Reserved in One Telephone Call:

1. Call Center customers may make no more than 5 reservations per telephone call.  Online customers will be subject to a time limit. 
2. An occupant must be named for each reserved campsite.   

C. Site Specific:  Subject to the campsite’s availability, the customer will be able to reserve a specific campsite for their use.  If no campsite is requested, the operator/system will automatically search for a site by using the criteria of the customer. (For example, a campsite with electricity, sewer and water at Fort Stevenson State Park for next Friday.)

D. Handicap Accessible Campsite: This campsite may only be reserved and occupied by a customer that can display proof of disability upon arrival.  If not reserved, the park staff may sell the site for one night to an able-bodied customer.  They may stay on the site for the duration of their stay so long as a disabled customer does not show up.  If a disabled customer arrives, the able-bodied customer must move to an equivalent site.  If no equivalent site is available, the disabled customer is informed that no sites are available.

1. Reservation Customer Arrives on a Handicap Site and Cannot Show Proof of Disability:  If a comparable site is available, park staff should move them to another site. If no site is available the park will allow them to stay on the site on a day-by-day basis unless and until a person with disabilities arrives and the first camper can be moved.  In either instance, educate the customer about our accessible site policies. 

E. Complex Reservation: If a campsite of one site type is not available for the whole duration of stay, the customer may choose to split their reservation on two separate sites at the same park.  Example: Site 100 is available the first 3 days, and customer will accept site 101 for the rest of their stay.  The split sites may be different site types, such as one electric and the other sewer-electric-water.  The split reservation must be made in one telephone call or one online session and will be treated as one reservation for the purposes of transaction fees.  A split reservation may only be made in one park—splitting sites between two different parks is not allowed.  A complex reservation will only constitute one move by the camper. 

F. Required Minimum Stay:   A minimum stay of nights may be required for customers making reservations for special events and major holidays during each park’s peak-season.  This is a park by park basis; check site details. 

G. Reservations in the Off-Season:  NDPR will not take campsite reservations during the off-season (late September through mid May); during this time sites may be available on a first come first serve basis. Reservations for cabins, meeting rooms, shelters and other facilities are accepted year-round.

H. Reserving Group Sites:  A customer reserving a group site will be required to pay for the minimum units required for that site. 

I. Campers with Horses:  Campers who bring their horses with them are only permitted to camp in a designated equestrian park.  Campers who do not have a horse must reserve sites in the typical main campground. Equestrian campgrounds are located at Fort Ransom State Park, Sully Creek State Park, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and Little Missouri State Park.

Fees, Discounts, Payment Methods and Confirmations

A. User Fees:  Customers will be informed of all user fees prior to completion of a reservation, either online or through the call center.  Customers will be informed that full payment is due at the time a reservation is booked.  They have the option to forfeit a reservation if they disagree with any policies, fees, and/or prices.  If a customer decides to discontinue a reservation, the call center representative will notify the customer they will only be assured a site if they make a reservation.  The alternative to a reserved site is a first come first serve site.

1. Reservation Fee:  There is a non-refundable reservation fee charged for campsites & cabins.  This per reservation fee is charged in addition to the cost of each resource, whether processed on-line or through the call center.  See Appendix B: Reservation & Change Fees.   Note: This fee is only charged per reservation (not per night) no matter what the duration of use, one day or up to 14 days.  There is no reservation fee charge for shelters, meeting rooms and facilities reserved through the park at this time.
2. Resource Fees: All appropriate resource fees of NDPR will be charged and collected through credit card transaction by OMS at the time the reservation is made. The resource fees are based upon available utilities, whether used or not. For example, if a camper wanted an electric campsite, but had to take the last available sewer-electric campsite, he would still pay the sewer-electric rate even though their camping unit did not use the sewer hookup.
3. Change Fee: There is a non-refundable fee to change a camping or cabin reservation.  This fee is charged each time a customer makes a change to a reservation, either on-line or through the call center. See Appendix B: Reservation & Change Fees. 
4. Change Fee Exceptions:  There will be no change fees charged for a shelter or meeting halls (church, hall, lodge, or meeting room) as long as the park staff is managing these reservations.  No change fee will be applied for online customers if the change does not affect the site cost and the date of arrival is 5 days or more from the current date.  For example changing from one site to another where the amenities and site fee are the same.
5. Cancel Fees: There is a non-refundable fee to cancel a resource.  This fee is charged when a customer cancels a reservation either on-line, through the call center or at the park.  See Appendix C: Cancellation Fees.
6. Call Center Fees: Call center fees are generally more expensive than the online reservation fees to cover their staffing and toll-free telephone costs.  See Appendix B: Reservation & Change Fees and Appendix C: Cancellation Fees. 

B. Vehicle Fees:

1. Daily Vehicle Entrance Permit: One daily vehicle entrance permit may be purchased with each night of camping in conjunction with a reservation.
2. Additional Daily Vehicle Entrance Permit: Each additional vehicle requires a valid vehicle permit.  Additional daily vehicle permits may NOT be purchased online or through the call center; they are only available at the park.
3. Annual Vehicle Permit: An annual vehicle permit may be purchased for $25.  This is available online, through the call center or at the park for no additional fee.
   • When an annual vehicle permit is purchased with an online reservation the customer must allow 5 or more days to mail the permit.  Less than 5 days before arrival, the customer must purchase a permit at the park.

C. Fee Discounts:

1. Reservation Fee:
   • No standard discounts are applicable to the Reservation Fee.
2. Vehicle Permits Only:
   • Persons 65 Years and Older:  A $5 discount for the annual vehicle permit is available for residents of N.D. 65 years of age or older. The discount applies only to the permit purchased for or by the senior citizen with the following supporting documentation; current identification including name, address, date of birth and driver's license number. Cost of the annual vehicle permit is $20.
   • Disabled Veterans/POWs:  North Dakota veterans with a 100 percent, service-related disability and former POWs are eligible for a free annual permit. All other North Dakota veterans with service related disabilities are eligible to receive an annual permit for $20. This program is available to North Dakota residents only, with VA proof of disability or status, or a North Dakota DAV/POW license plate. The annual vehicle permit discount will not be available online or at the call center.  It must be purchased at the park or NDPR Department headquarters in Bismarck.
   • Temporary Disabled Persons: A person with a temporary condition that significantly impairs their mobility may occupy a disabled campsite (where available) with proof of a temporary DOT handicapped permit.  This may be a person with a cast, on crutches, separated shoulder, etc.
   • A federal Golden Age Passport is issued at the age of 62, and is not accepted by NDPR Department as proof of age status.  A driver’s license or other document certifying proof of age will be required at check-in. 
   • The Golden Access Passport is issued by the federal Corps of Engineers to any individual who has been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled for purposes of receiving benefits under Federal law.  NDPR Department will not accept the Golden Access as proof for veteran disability. 

E. Methods of Payment:

1. Call Center Transactions:  Credit cards and debit cards backed by major credit cards (Visa, Discover & MasterCard) will be accepted as payment for reservation transactions made at the call center. Checks, money orders, camping coupons, camping vouchers, and gift certificates will NOT be accepted for call center transactions.
2. Online Transactions: Credit cards and debit cards backed by major credit cards (Visa, Discover & MasterCard) will be accepted as payment for reservation transactions made online.  Checks, money orders, camping coupons, camping vouchers, and gift certificates will NOT be accepted for online transactions.
3. Park Walk-In Transactions:  MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards and debit cards; money orders; NDPR issued gift certificates, coupons & rain checks; personal and other checks (except two-party checks); and cash are accepted for walk-in camper transactions. 
4. Split Payments: Two different credit cards are not accepted online or through the call center.  NDPR department may process more than 1 credit/debit card for walk-in customers.
5. Advance Payments Required: Online and Call center reservations require customers pay by credit card at the time the reservation is made
6. Credit Card Declined:  Customers will be notified of an invalid credit card status immediately and have the option of entering in a new expiration date for expired credit cards.
7. Taxes and Tax Exempt Nonprofit Group:  There are no other taxes charged in addition to the standard reservation and resource fees.

F. Payment Processing:  The customer is required to pay by credit card through the online system or call center. Credit card payment is optional directly at the state park.  State Parks accept cash, debit card, credit card and check payment.

1. Credit Cards:  Reservation credit card transactions will be processed immediately.  Credit Card refunds will be credited to the customer’s credit card, no cash.  Unprocessed refunds due to invalid credit cards will be handled by NDPRD headquarters.
2. Money Orders:  Money orders are not accepted through the online system or call center.  Money orders are accepted for walk-in customers directly at the state parks.
3. Personal Checks:  Personal checks are not accepted through the online system or call center.  Personal checks may be accepted from walk-in customers.
4. Gift Certificates:  Gift certificates may be sold for any dollar amount and are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. They may be used for camping, cabin, daily or annual vehicle permit purchases at all state parks.  No refunds are allowed for the cost of the gift certificate and they are not redeemable for cash.
   • A camping gift certificate shall not be accepted for online or call center payment of reservation, change or cancellation transaction fees.
   • Gift certificates shall not be accepted as payment or refund for online or call center camping, cabin, daily or annual vehicle permit purchases. They may be presented at the park for a refund on these resources.
   • Customers must provide the gift certificate number and expiration date for redemption purposes.
5. Rain Checks:  Refunds are the preferred way to handle customers who need to leave early.  However, they may be issued a rain check. Rain checks are valid for camping and vehicle entrance permits for the current season.  The customer must present the rain check for redemption.
6. Refund Checks:  A refund check will be issued when a credit card transaction has been denied or when the initial transaction was paid by check.  All refund checks are processed through NDPRD headquarters.

G. Special Park Processes:

1. Requests for 10 or more resources: Customers will be directed to call the park to reserve Special Use Areas, Group Camps, and to secure special accommodations.  Requests for 10 or more resources must be booked through the state park.

H. Confirmation of Reservation:

1. E-Mail Confirmations: Any reservation or purchase processed through the online system, call center or state park will automatically receive a confirmation notice when a valid e-mail address has been provided. 
2. Website Confirmations: Call Center customers will receive their reservation confirmation numbers orally if they do not provide a current e-mail address.  Visit the NDPRD website at www.parkrec.nd.gov to view and print a reservation with a valid order or reservation number.

Reservation Windows

A. Seasonal Windows: Time of year when reservation resources are available for use.

1. Campsites: The reservation season will begin the Friday prior to the Canadian Victoria Day weekend and will end on Labor Day.
2. Seasonal Cabins:  The normal season for seasonal cabins will begin the Friday prior to the Canadian Victoria Day weekend and will end the last Sunday of September.  Individual park seasons may vary.
3. Year-Round Cabins:  Year-round cabins are available 365 days a year.
4. Shelters: The normal reservation season for shelters will begin the Friday prior to Canadian Victoria Day weekend and will end on Labor Day. Shelters will be available on a FCFS basis beyond these dates.
5. Meeting Halls: There are a variety of meeting halls available for rent.  Please see individual park resource details for season dates.

B. Minimum / Maximum Reservation Windows:

• Maximum Reservation Window: Days prior to arrival at which time a resource reservation may be processed.
• Minimum Reservation Window: The shortest time available upon which a resource reservation may be processed. Resources become available beginning at 7:00 a.m., CDT on the first day of a reservation window.

1. Campsites: The maximum reservation window for ALL campsites (single & group) shall be (95) days prior to arrival. The 95 day window is based on the arrival date. The reservation can be made for up to 14 consecutive days including the day of arrival. The minimum reservation window for all campsites shall be noon the day prior to arrival.
2. Seasonal Cabins: The maximum reservation window for seasonal cabins shall be one year (365 days) prior to arrival. The minimum reservation window for seasonal cabins shall be noon the day prior to arrival.
3. Year-Round Cabins:  The maximum reservation window for year-round cabins shall be one year (365 days) prior to the date of arrival. The minimum reservation window for year-round cabins shall be noon the day prior to arrival.
4. Shelters: The maximum reservation window for shelters shall be one year (365 days) prior to the date of arrival. The minimum reservation window for shelters shall be noon the day prior to arrival.
5. Meeting Halls: The maximum reservation window for a meeting hall shall be one year (365 days) prior to the date of arrival. The minimum reservation window for a meeting hall shall be noon the day prior to arrival.

* Note: Reservations made inside a cancellation window, will be subject to the cancellation policy and fees for that particular resource immediately.  See Appendix C:  Cancellation Fees. 

Example: A seasonal cabin reservation, processed less than 7 days but before 12 noon CDT the day prior to arrival: the customer is immediately subject to a cancellation fee equal to one night’s fee should they decide to cancel after the reservation has been processed.

Reservation Changes

See Appendix B:  Reservation & Change fees for resource change fees.

A. Change Rules: A change is any modification made to an existing reservation such as adding days; removing days; or switching resources within the same park. 

1. If the current date is less than 5 days from the date of arrival, the reservation cannot be changed to a different date range; this would be a cancellation and a new reservation.  Cancellation fees will apply.
2. A change cannot be made to a reservation after noon CDT the day prior to arrival.  This is a cancellation and fees will apply.
3. Confirming the Reservation Change: Online and Call Center customers will receive an email confirmation notice that reflects the reservation changes processed by the system. Reservation transactions may also be confirmed by accessing the OMS system, from the ND Parks & Recreation Department’s homepage (www.parkrec.nd.gov), and entering an order or reservation number.
4. Unacceptable Changes: Transferring a reservation from one customer to another customer is prohibited. Example: My boss is using the site instead; his credit card number is…Credit my account.
5. Exceptions:  Acts of God or unique administrative issues may require the changing of reservations by the Call Center or NDPRD staff, with administrator approval.
6. Changing the Reservation Arrival Date for Reservations Made on the Window: When the initial reservation was made on the window (i.e. in the case of a campsite 95 days + up to 14 days) the customer will forfeit $10/night for each dropped night to change the arrival date to a later date.

This policy is enacted to deter customers from calling on the first available reservation window date + 14 days prior to arrival; then calling a month later and dropping all days but the last 2 or 3 actually wanted. The customer may, without any penalties, add more days, drop days from the back-end of the reservation, or change other parameters. The only limiting factor is to move the arrival date to a later date. 

Examples:

Customer calls April 10th (on the window) and makes a 14-day reservation for June 20 through July 5.  Customer later calls to change the arrival date from June 20 to July 2.   Customer will forfeit $10 for each night dropped plus the normal change fee ((12 nights x $10) + $2.50 change fee = $122.50)

Customer calls May 15th (inside the window) and makes a 14-day reservation for June 20 through July 5.  Customer later calls to change the arrival date from June 20 to July 2.  Since customer did not make the initial reservation “on the window” only standard change fees would apply.

7. Changes after Arrival at Park - Early Departure: After arrival at the park a change may result for varied reasons: 
   • Customer circumstances change
   • Customer has an emergency
   • Individual circumstances beyond the park’s control
   • Park has failed the camper
   • Park has an emergency

Park staff will accommodate an early departure by processing a refund for any remaining nights, including the night of the request, if the departure is made prior to checkout time (1p.m. for campsites; 11 a.m. for cabins; etc.). If the request is after checkout time, the customer will be charged for that night. These changes must be directed to the park during regular office hours. Online customers and the Call Center will not be able to change reservations after noon the day prior to arrival.

8. Extend Stay after Arrival:  After noon the day prior to arrival customers will not be able to extend their departure date, through the Call Center or online, without initiating a new reservation for the additional nights requested. Park staff may extend their stay, if the site is available and the customer is in the park.  This transaction should be processed as a change and the change fee over-ridden.  Staff will need to collect the appropriate site fee and issue a new permit reflecting the new departure date.
9. Group Site to Single Site Change or Single Site to Group Site Change: If a customer has a reservation for a single campsite and wants to change the reservation to a group campsite; they must cancel the initial single site reservation and make a new reservation for a group site.  The same procedure is required when requesting a change from a reserved group site to a reserved single site.

Cancellation Policies

See Appendix C:  Cancellation Fees.

A. Cancellation of Initial Reservation: Cancellations will be accepted online or at the Call Center 24 hours a day, 365 days each year. All reservations regardless of origination may be cancelled through the Call Center.  Customers should provide either the order or reservation number of the initial reservation to process their cancellation.

B. Cancellation Fees and Penalties: Cancellation fees are pro-rated depending on when the cancellation is processed. See the following examples for detailed explanations.

C. Cancellation Calculation: Calculation of the OMS day for cancellation policy purposes begins and ends at NOON CDT (11:59 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. is one cancellation day). Noon the day prior to a reservation is always day one and the cancellation policy dates work backwards from this day and time. See Appendix C: Cancellation Fees.

• Customers who cancel a reservation made within the cancellation window will incur cancellation fees, immediately, once the reservation has been processed.

D. No Shows:  Customers who make no attempt to cancel their reservation via phone or Internet and fail to arrive for their reservation forfeit their right to receive a refund.

Reservation Refunds

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department has a “No Hassle Refund Policy”. Once an overnight park user arrives at the park and then chooses to leave, park staff may offer their camping fee or cabin fee refund through: credit card refunds; rain checks; or Department issued check.  A cash refund is not an option for reservations.

A. Reservation Fee Refunds:  Events of a natural emergency or other Acts of God or manmade acts that require sudden closure of the campground will result in a refund of their reservation fee, unless the customer has already arrived and used at least one night of their camping stay

B. Camping & Cabin Fee Refunds, by Call Center, Prior to Arrival:  Fees collected by the Call Center will be refundable by the Call Center.  Credit Card refunds shall be processed in real time and will only be refunded on the original credit card.  If the credit card is no longer valid, a refund check will be issued to the customer automatically by Department Headquarters.

C. Refunds, by NDPR, After Arrival:  The Park Manager or his designee(s) must authorize refunds due to early departure of reservation customers. There will be no fee to the customer to process a refund at the park level if it involves shortening of the current stay.   To obtain a refund for the current day (upcoming night) the customer must have the refund processed before check out time of the current day. Refunds should be processed by the original method of payment.

D. Campground Evacuated for Acts of God:  (Circumstances out of NDPR’s control) Customers who have already arrived at the park and their stay is interrupted by an evacuation will be compensated for any unused camping nights, including the night of the event if the event resulted in the camper’s removal prior to 6 a.m.  If the removal occurred after 6 a.m., the camper will be compensated for all subsequent nights they lost. 

F. Refunds, Addressee Unknown:  In the event a reservation transaction refund check is returned to the NDPR stamped “Attempted, Not Known”, or “Unable to Deliver/Forward”, the NDPR should, on a quarterly or annual basis issue a new check payable to State Treasurer of North Dakota that is equivalent to the amount of outstanding checks for the reporting period.  The State Treasurer then assumes responsibility for the unclaimed money.

First Come, First Served Campers Occupying Reservable Sites

Reservable resources that are not reserved shall be available for use by first-come, first-served customers. 

A. Check out:  All campsites must be vacated by 1 p.m., whether occupied by a reservation customer or a first-come, first-served customer.

Arrival of Customers

If the customers have not yet arrived at the park, they should contact the call center to communicate cancels, changes or problems or utilize the online system.  After arrival at the park, the customer must communicate with park staff on matters that affect their reservation stay.

A. Standard Policy: All customers must check-in with park staff upon arrival. Customers may arrive any time within the period of their reserved stay. The resource will be held until the customer arrives or the park is notified that the customer is not coming or has cancelled.

B. Arrive before Reservation Begins: There is no guarantee that the resource will be vacant and ready for use prior to check in time. If arriving early, customer must verify occupancy with park staff to ensure the resource is open & available. 

C. Late Night Arrival of Campers: Campers with reservations would proceed to the site they have reserved and obtain a camping permit from the park ranger or register at the office the following morning. Cabin users arriving after business hours will need to make arrangements in advance with the respective park.

D.No Arrival: Customers that are unable to arrive should contact the park to initiate any applicable refund of fees. See Appendix C: Cancellation Fees.

Customer Request to Switch Resources

Requests to switch resources; i.e. campsites or cabins, may be granted at the discretion of park staff. Customers that are successful in switching resources after arrival will not be charged a fee. 

Departure of Campers or Cabin Users:

Campers must exit campsites by 1:00 p.m. Cabin users must exit by 11:00 a.m.

A. Early Departure:  If the customer is leaving one or more nights before their departure date, the customer must notify the park prior to checkout time to receive a refund for that night.

B. Departing without Communicating to Park Staff:  If the customer leaves the park and fails to communicate with park staff about early departure they forfeit the ability to receive a refund for any unused nights.  Special circumstances will be considered. 

C. Calls to Call Center about Early Departure:  The call center will not handle the early departure process.

Appendix A: Campsite Types Defined

Campsite Types	Centralized Reservations Accepted?	Other Information
Handicap Accessible Campsite	Yes	A campsite designed for use by persons with disabilities.  A Handicap Accessible campsite may have electric or electric and water.   The site is level and has a table that accommodates wheelchairs and is close to an accessible shower facility.
FCFS (First Come First Serve)	No	Campsites designated for First Come First Server patrons. Not reserveable.
Modern Campsite	Yes	Modern campsites have electrical hookups and water available. Some may have sewer hookups.  Electrical hookups are either 50/30/20 or 30/20 AMP hookups.  This site has a picnic table, fire ring, parking pad and is in the general vicinity of a comfort station.
Primitive Campsite	Yes	Campsites with no electrical or water hookups.  Water is close by. This site has a picnic table, fire ring and may include a parking pad.  It is in the general vicinity of a vault toilet.
Horse Campsite	No	Modern and Primitive campsites with horse corals adjacent to the site.
Group Campsite	Yes	Modern or primitive campsites that accommodate more than one camping unit.  Each group site has a minimum and maximum capacity
Walk-in  Tent Campsite	Yes	Primitive campsite with no access by vehicle.
Tent Site	Yes	Primitive or modern campsites suitable for tents.  This site has a picnic table and a fire ring
Organized Group Camp	Contact Park	Primitive Camping area typically set aside for non profit groups such as Boys Scouts.

Appendix B: Reservation & Change Fees

Resource Type	Reservation Fee	Reservation Change Fee
Single Site - Online	$3.00	$2.50
Single Site – Call Center / Park	$6.00	$2.50
Group Site - Online	$6.00	$2.50
Group Site - Call Center / Park	$12.00	$2.50
Cabin - Online	$3.00	$2.50
Cabin – Call Center / Park	$6.00	$2.50
Meeting Hall – Park	NA	NA
Meeting Room – Park	NA	NA
Shelter – Park	NA	NA

Appendix C: Cancellation Fees

Resource Type	Cancel Policy All times CDT	Cancel Fee
Single Site	Before 12 noon 5 days or more prior to the day of arrival	$5.00
Single Site	Less than 5 days and before 12 noon the day prior to arrival	$15.00 electric/$10.00 non-electric
Single Site	After 12 noon the day prior to arrival	1 Nights camping fee
Group Site	Before 12 noon 5 days or more prior to the day of arrival	$10.00
Group Site	Less than 5 days  and before 12 noon the day prior to arrival	$25.00
Group Site	After 12 noon the day prior to arrival	1 Nights camping fee x minimum # of units
Cabins & Campsites	Changing the arrival date of a reservation that extends beyond the reservation window.	$10.00 / night
Seasonal Cabin	Before 12 noon 7 days or more prior to the day of arrival	$10.00
Seasonal Cabin	After 12 noon 7 days or less prior to the day of arrival	1 Nights fee
Yr-Round Cabin	Before 12 noon 30 days or more prior to the day of arrival	$15.00
Yr-Round Cabin	Before 12 noon 14 days or more prior to the day of arrival	$25.00
Yr-Round Cabin	Less than 14 days prior to the day of arrival	1 Nights Fee
Meeting Hall -270	Before 12 noon 270 days  or more prior to the day of arrival	No Fee
Meeting Hall -270	Before 12 noon 180 days or more prior to the day of arrival	½ Rental Fee
Meeting Hall -270	Less than 180 days prior to the day of arrival	Total Rental Fee
Meeting Hall –90	Before 12 noon 90 days or more prior to the day of arrival	No Fee
Meeting Hall -90	Before 12 noon 30 days or more prior to the day of arrival	½ Rental Fee
Meeting Hall -90	Less than 30 days prior to the day of arrival	Total Rental Fee
Shelter	Before 12 noon 90 days or more prior to the day of arrival	No Fee
Shelter	Before 12 noon 30 days or more prior to the day of arrival	½ Rental Fee
Shelter	Less than 30 days prior to the day of arrival	Total Rental Fee