FAQs
Where are you located?
One of the FAQs we get of Campfire Bay Resort is our proximity to the Twin Cities. We are located less than 2 hours north of Minneapolis, just off of U.S. Hwy. 10 on County Road 20 (also called Azure Road). Take Co Rd 20 and not Google Map's weird idea of taking Holt!
How safe is your resort?
As safe as it can be!
We here at Campfire Bay want your stay to be worry-free. While we can't control your feelings, we can do our best to create a safe and relaxing place to stay. We wanted to let you know here all that we do to ensure your physical safety.
Located on a low-traffic lake in a quiet rural area, we are as safe as one can be from unwanted visitors of all types, whether seen or unseen. Our resort has a long lane entrance that is not lit up at night. This deters any outsiders from entering. We have a large loop inside the resort that makes for a relatively safe place for kids to ride their bikes and folks to run or walk, as well.
The resort also sets itself up to allow for social distancing. Families and friends can rent a cabin separate from other cabins, large family cabins can be divided inside for those who haven't been in contact with each other to stay on different floors, and the exterior areas are large to allow a cabins' occupants to sit at a campfire or picnic table and socially distance from their neighbor. Our waterfront is big enough that even on the busiest of days folks can socially distance and still enjoy the beach. Of course, being on a boat on the lake is social distancing at its best! Our island cabin and our Eagles Nest cabin are especially more distanced from others and have their own private fire pits and docks.
If needed in a time of unseen visitors, i.e. illnesses, we have sign up times for the game room, the rec center, and activity room and disinfect between guest uses. We disinfect cabins when needed with ozone gas, in addition to cleaners. We believe using ozone is more thorough and safer than overuse of bleach or quaternary disinfectants. We use EPA approved disinfectants, the least caustic and most natural possible, on surfaces when ozone is not an option.
To allow physical distancing in the lodge, we have ice cream and coffee pick-up areas separated by over 10ft and can also deliver to people outside. High risk folks can call us to help them out with anything at the resort or come in at 8-9am after the lodge has been ozoned overnight, to talk with us in person, grab a coffee, or make a purchase in the store. Many of our organized activities happen in our gathering room which can be divided into work pods that allow over 6ft distance between guests as needed.
While nature can not be controlled and there are rocks, roots, animals, insects, plants and more that can potentially harm a person, we do what we can to make your surroundings safe. We are always self-educating in this area of safety and welcome new ideas. We hope that the information we've provided here will help you feel more relaxed and at home in your "home away from home" here at Campfire Bay Resort.
Do you need a deposit to hold my reservation?
Do you need a deposit to hold my reservation?Yes, half the amount of your stay rounded down to the nearest $50 if by check, 40% if by credit card online is required.
Example: Cabin is $1290, deposit is $600. Deposits from reservations made via phone are due within 7 business days of making the reservation and can be made by check (made out to Campfire Bay Resort), Venmo @CBR-SamsIsland or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). Reservations made online or by payment link can only be done with credit card or bank ACH and your deposit will be taken immediately. Our CC processor charges the customer 3.7% to take a card or 0.8% for ACH. Venmo and checks are free.
What if I need to cancel?
Of course, one of the most important FAQs of Campfire Bay Resort has to do with those unplanned cancelations. Here is our policy:
Regular bookings:
If we are able to rebook the vacancy created by your cancellation, which we'll make every effort to do, you'll get your deposit back minus a cancellation fee of $75. If we cannot rebook the vacancy, regardless of when you cancel, you will not receive your deposit back.
If you are concerned about losing your deposit due to a cancellation, we suggest getting trip insurance. One option is Travel Guard which is what Brian and Heather Sams (owners) use when they take trips.
Weddings:
In the event that you cancel a scheduled wedding, you should let us know as soon as possible. If you let the office know more than 6 months in advance, you will be responsible for $200. If you cannot let the office know more than 6 months in advance, you will be responsible for 50% of the total wedding cost.
If you are planning a wedding, then an option for wedding insurance is protectmywedding.com
Do you have a minimum stay?
Yes -- 3 nights from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day and 2 nights the rest of the year.
What are your check-in/check-out times?
What are your check-in/check-out times?Another one of those common FAQs of Campfire Bay Resort! From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day our weeks run Saturday to Saturday and check-in is staggered based on the cabin. The beachfront cabins named after birds can check in at 2pm. The 6-plex cabins, Pine Beach, and White Oak can arrive at 3pm, and the tri-level 4BR cabins check in at 4pm. Check-out is 9am any day for all cabins except the tri-levels, since they checked in later, they get to check out at 10am.
Mid-week, if there is no one checking into your cabin or out of your cabin on the day you arrive or depart, then check-in/check-out can be negotiable. Call or email to inquire. Otherwise, please respect our check-in/check-out times so that we can properly prepare your cabin and the resort grounds.
In the "off-season", Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend, check-in is normally 3pm for all cabins. Guests can come as early as 1pm if no one is in the cabin before them and even earlier if they pay an early check-in fee (after 10am is $40 and after 11:30am is $20). Please let us know if you would like to come earlier than 3pm and call or email a couple of days before your reservation date to confirm what the check-in time is. Off-season check-out is 11am. If no one is coming into the cabin that day, then it can be as late as 5pm. Please check with us prior to making your departure plans as to what your check out time needs to be.
Are pets allowed?
Only in the Eagles Nest cabin and on its private hill. Pets are not allowed anywhere on the main resort property. We can recommend two nice nearby boarding facilities if staying in any of our other cabins. Another option is to check out Sams Island Cabin, a 2br cabin on a 1 acre island out in front of the resort also owned by the owners of CBR. Pets are allowed there and dogs love the freedom to have an island to themselves!
Is bedding, silverware, flatwear provided?
We provide:
-
- all bedding
- toilet paper
- all kitchenware
- pots
- pans
- dishes
- silverware
- utensils
- salt and pepper
- matches
- garbage bags
- dish soap
- coffee filters
- coffee maker
- toaster
- microwave
- charcoal grill
- many other items are available to borrow like blenders, coffee grinders, skillets, crock pots, and more
We do not provide:
- towels
- washcloths
- napkins
- paper towels
If you forget something, however, check with us before going out and buying it, we may have it to borrow, rent, or purchase.
Is there a charge for extra people in a cabin?
One of the FAQs of Campfire Bay Resort we don't get enough, which causes confusion later, is about the base rate of any cabin. Any person over 12 months old over the base rate for a cabin is charged extra-- $27/night or $135/week, all year long.
All our 2BR cabins are based on 4 people, White Oak is based on 6 people, and all other cabins are based on 8 people, so if you have more than that number in the cabin, there will be extra people fees added.
For example: Willow, Tamarack, and Poplar have a rate that's based on 8 people. If you put 16 people in one of these cabins, you will be charged for 8 extra people (in this example, $216/day or $1080/week extra).
What about day guests?
All guests must register in the office regardless of length of stay. Visitors who come just to say "hi" and stay for an hour or less and are not using our facilities are free.
More than an hour to half day are $5/person over the base rate of your cabin, over half a day is $10/person. If they choose to stay overnight in your cabin with you, they pay the extra person nightly charge of $27/person (again, only if it exceeds the base rate of that cabin).
Do you sell fishing licenses and bait? What about groceries? Laundry facilities?
No, we don't sell licenses, bait or groceries, but two stores within 1/3 mile from the resort do. There are two small town grocery stores about 10 minutes of here and larger supermarkets half an hour away. We have a coin-op laundry room here in our lodge for your convenience.
Do you have a boat launch at your resort and is there a charge to dock my boat?
Yes, we have a launch, but the wide, paved public access is just 2 driveways down from our resort entrance and most prefer to use it.
There is no charge to dock your boat at a dock close to your cabin. Lots of tires keep your watercraft from getting the dreaded "dock rash", but we have some special bow/stern tie systems available to use, as well, if you prefer.
How many boats or cars can each cabin have?
There aren't any set limits, but our dock system can only accommodate about 2 boats per cabin. As for vehicles right at the cabins, there is room for each beach cabin to have one, and then one more close by. Eagle's Nest can have 2 above and 2 below, and the deluxe four bedroom cabins can each have four. There is parking available in other areas of the resort, if needed.
Do you have camping?
Probably because of our name, one of the common FAQs of Campfire Bay Resort, is about campsites. We actually have 2 full hook up spots to the right of the fish house, close to the lodge. However, they are reserved only for RV campers who are vacationing with guests staying in our cabins. We are not licensed for tent camping, therefore tents are not allowed anywhere on resort property.
Does a boat come with the cabin?
Yes, any watercraft without a motor is free for guest use--row boats, canoes, kayaks, hydrobikes, and paddleboats. See the boat rental page for motors. Due to their lack of use, we do not keep row boats on the water unless requested before you arrive.
Do you have wireless internet?
For many, one of the most important FAQs of Campfire Bay Resort has to do with the internet. Yes, we have fiber optic to the resort, and line trenched to almost every building on the property, so our wireless internet is fast and reliable.