Length of Stay Guideline
-Vacation Home Cabins and Cabins
The nine individual Vacation Home Cabins and Cabins rent for full weeks rotating on a Saturday to Saturday basis. A 5-night Minimum Rental, with either arrival or departure on a Saturday is required. Best Value is a full week rental, as two Nights are included within the week without charge.
Cabins: Summerbreeze Cabin (2 BDR), Log Cabin (2 BDR), and Hideaway Cabin (1 BDR) have a three night minimum with preferred arrival or departure on a Saturday dependent upon availability. Best value is renting on a Saturday to Saturday week as 2 nights are included for free within the weekly rental rate.
-Villas and Chalets
The three Villas and two Chalet may be rented for short stays and full weeks without restriction as to the arrival or departure day dependent upon availability. Minimum night rentals may apply. Please inquire.
–Ely’s Blueberry Arts Festival Event
- Chalet and Villa reservations made during the Blueberry Arts Festival Event (Festival Dates: July 24, 25, 26, 2026) have a 3-night minimum rental requirement. Either Thursday, July 23 or Sunday, July 26 may be applied toward meeting the 3-night minimum.
Occupancy
Accommodation rates are based on the following occupancy:
- One bedroom: up to 2 persons
- Two bedroom: up to 4 persons
- Three bedroom: up to 6 persons
If the Accommodation can accommodate extra persons, the following rates apply for the 2023 season:
Additional persons 11 & up: $165/week; $30/night
Additional children, age 10 & under: $115/week; $20/night
50% Deposit
A nonrefundable deposit of approximately 50% of the accommodation(s) reserved and watercraft rentals and services reserved is required with Visa, M/C, Amex, Discover, personal check, business check, or bank cashier’s check.
- Initially, a nonrefundable “space” deposit dependent upon accommodation(s) and motorized watercraft reserved is placed on a credit card to take it off of the market and guarantee it for you.
- A small credit card surcharge applies on the initial “space” deposit. For example: A $400 initial deposit incurs a $16 card surcharge.
- An email verification of the reservation will be sent with a request for the Balance of the 50% deposit with the amount due indicated and is payable in approximately 12-14 days in the form of either a personal check, business check, or bank cashier’s check and sent to River Point via US Mail.
- Or, you may choose to have the entire 50% Deposit debited from your credit card (credit card surcharge applies).
Exceptions:
- Short stay accommodation reservations of generally 1-4 nights, along with corresponding waterfront rental requests (boats, motors, pontoon, canoes) are paid in full with a nonrefundable credit card prepayment with applicable 4% card surcharge when the reservation is made.
- Reservations made less than approximately 60 days prior to arrival are paid in full with a nonrefundable credit card prepayment with applicable 4% card surcharge when the reservation is made.
Note: Surcharge amount on a credit card deposit is verbally shared with guests prior to the charge being assessed.
Additional persons, equipment, and services determined at registration will be charged accordingly
Final Payment
In addition to the 50% Deposit, a Final Payment is required on accommodation(s), watercraft rentals and services reserved to be prepaid prior to the arrival date in the form of personal check, business and bank cashier’s check, or credit card. Your Reservation Confirmation & Invoice indicating the final balance of prepayment due and due date will be emailed.
- We reserve the right to retain the Deposit and re-rent your accommodation(s), if prompt balance of Final Payment is not received by the due date indicated on your Reservation Confirmation & Invoice.
- We reserve the right to debit your credit card for the Final Payment with the applicable credit card surcharge if prompt balance of Final Payment is not received by the due date and a “reminder email” has been sent.
- If you have special considerations we should be aware of for making payment or your payment check has been posted and you know it is late, please contact us. We are happy to help.
- In the rare instance when a check is returned for Non Sufficient Funds (NSF) a $30 bank fee is applicable.
Note: If you wish to have the Final Payment debited from your credit card please advise.
Rates
Rates are subject to change to change without notice.
Taxes and Fees
- Lodging and package rates subject to 7.375% MN sales/county tax, 4% county/local lodging tax
- Motorized boat rentals and guide service subject to 7.375 state/county tax and resort fee
- All other rentals such as swivel boat seats, trolling motors, canoes, etc. subject to 7.375% state/county tax
- Credit card surcharge of 4% and state/county sales tax on the surcharge is applicable
Amenities and Conveniences at River Point Resort & Outfitting Co.
WiFi in all accommodations, abundant supply of complimentary split and stacked firewood, marina assistance (bailing of boats, complimentary fish cleaning, maps, etc.), and other services, such as twice weekly housekeeping “Courtesy Calls” to replenish TP, coffee filters, trash bags, etc. Fee also supports complimentary SUP’s, sit-on-top kayaks, paddle boards, two swim rafts, instructional canoeing and kayaking, new state-of-the-art sauna, garden shower, private hiking trail, and more.
Gratuities for resort service personnel including housekeepers, marina and guide service, and Wildwood Lodge staff are at your discretion.
Smoke Free and Pet Free
River Point accommodations and screen porches are Smoke Free. Smoking is optional on sundecks and patios. We kindly request that cigar smoking is minimal and occurs in the parking areas, in your own vehicle, or when on the water.
- River Point is a Pet Free Facility. We are happy to recommend area kennels.
- Refer to Lodging Amenities FAQ’s for more information regarding pets.
Please Bring Personal Toweling for Bathroom and Kitchen
Answers for frequently asked questions such as what is provided and what to bring, including bringing personal toweling for bathroom and kitchen. Also answers related to bait and fishing, and a whole lot more. This is a pertinent page to look over.
For more information on the four categories of lodging accommodations
Late Arrivals, No Shows, Early Departure, Number Reserved For, Equipment Reserved
You are financially responsible for the entire rental period reserved, for the number of accommodations reserved, for the number of persons reserved, and for equipment and services reserved. There are no refunds for any portion of the arrangements made for you that are cancelled in advance of arrival or during your rental period, or for any portion of the arrangements made for you that are not actually utilized by you, for reduced party size, for late arrivals, “no shows”, or for early departure.
Cancellation
Cancellation Information: In the event that you must cancel your reservation, a written Notice of Cancellation must be received. You may transfer your reservation to another person without a transfer fee. You are financially responsible for the amount of the original reservation including watercraft rentals and other services with full payment on account. If we can, in good faith, re-rent your reservation for the same time frame all money on account is refunded, less a processing fee per week or partial week reserved of $200 per 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom accommodations and $300 per 3-bedroom accommodations. There are no exceptions of any kind, including medical exceptions, disease, emergencies, air carrier or travel delays/cancellations, or weather-related cancellations. Cancellations are non transferable to another date this year and are non transferable to another date next year.
Responsibility For Damage and Loss
Guests are financially responsible for any damage and/or loss to rental accommodation(s) and rental watercraft.
- Information sheets on safe boating suggestions will be presented at Registration plus Marina staff will give you instructions and tips on operating the motorized watercraft reserved with plenty of time for your questions prior to the watercraft being released to you. You may also practice operating the watercraft in the bay area with staff, as needed, including how to bring the watercraft back to the dock space. You also have the opportunity to inspect the watercraft prior to its release to be certain that it meets your expectations.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is recommended to provide you with peace of mind should circumstances arise which may cause you to interrupt, delay, or cancel your trip in advance of your arrival or when you are on vacation; for lost baggage, medical expense, and more.
Travel Insurance may provide you with financial coverage for damage and/or loss related to your rental accommodations(s) while on vacation.
You may wish to look at Forbes Advisor Travel Insurance: Best Travel Insurance Companies for their analysis of various companies that offer “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance.
River Point does not sell travel insurance nor do we receive compensation for recommendations. Three companies that you may wish to check into:
1) Travel Guard: 1-800-826-5248
2) Access America Travel Insurance (Allianz): 1-800-284-8300
3) QuoteWright Travel Insurance: 1-800-821-4940
The Point Vacation Home Cabin and Riverview Vacation Home Cabin: Adults & Teens (Age 12 & Older Only)
- These two lakefront Vacation Home Cabins are reserved for Adults and Teens (Age 12 & Older Only).
- We are most happy to accommodate families with children under age 12 in one of the other 14 accommodations.
Marina Rentals and Amenities
- Want to rent a 16’ boat with 15 hp motor, a pontoon, or pro fishing boat for your stay? Refer to the Marina Rentals and Amenities for choices.
- Best Value: Full week rentals. When renting by the full week three days are included free of charge, versus daily rental.
Bringing Your Own Boat
A boat launch is available for our guests. Plenty of dockage space at the central marina area, as well as 5 private docks at specific accommodations.
Rates
- Launch fee is $18
- $20 daily dockage per boat up to 16′ long
- $3/day per foot for boats over 16′ long
- $12/day surcharge for personal Pontoon Boat or Deck Boat dockage.
Fall Dockage Special, 9/9-9/27, 2026: $18/daily dockage for any length boat except Pontoon Boat or Deck Boat. Add $12/day surcharge
Aquatic Hitchhikers: Personal watercraft launched at RPR will be inspected for aquatic invasive species (AIS). We reserve the right to deny access if there is a potential danger of introducing AIS to the lake. Boats and trailers must be clean and free of mud and aquatic debris; drain plus have been pulled; bilge and live wells are empty; live bait is fresh and does not contain water from other lakes, rods and reels and tackle are free of debris. For more information on how you can prevent Aquatic Hitchhikers, www.dnr.state.mn.us.
Minnesota Fishing Licenses
Minnesota DNR: 1-888-665-4236; mndnr.gov
Guide Service
Guides are available for 4-hour (½ Day), 6-hour, and 8-hour (Day) Fishing trips on Birch Lake.
Guides are also available for day trips into the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area for fishing or for scenery, photography, pictographs, wildlife, and more.
Please do not bring jet skis, or fireworks as they are not allowed.
Guest Visitors
Your friends and family are welcome to visit. However, MN State Law requires all persons that come to a private resort be registered, regardless of the length of their visit. Visitors must register in the Office prior to the start of their visit. For short visits of 2 hours or less, there is no fee. Longer visits will be assessed a fee of $30 per persons, age 11 & older; $20 per child, age 10 & under. With payment, your guest(s) may enjoy full use of the beaches, use of beach watercraft, and swim rafts. If visitors want to stay overnight, and if the lodging choice can accommodate extra persons, the following rates apply: $30 per person, age 11 & older; up and $20 per child, age 10 & under.
Check In Time, Check Out Time
Weekly Rentals: Check In is after 3:00 pm (Sat); Check Out is prior to 8:00 am (Sat)
Overnight and Partial Week Rentals: Check In is after 2:00 pm; Check Out is prior to 10:00 am
River Point’s Office generally closes daily at 5:00 pm. Evening arrival directions to your accommodation(s) will be emailed with your Confirmation.
If you are in the Ely area prior to the check in time always feel free to call. If your accommodation is ready for you we are most pleased to welcome you to arrive earlier than the indicated check in time.
Thank you!
Steve and Jane Koschak and James Koschak and Krista Jonson
River Point Resort® & Outfitting Co.
Reservations: 1-218-365-6604
Office Hours: 8:30 am – 7 pm daily
Customer Service: 218-365-6625
Dates of operation are spring, summer, and early fall
May 9 – September 27, 2026
