Vermont Forests Eye Fees for Picnics and Trails
Published Date: 9/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are proposing to establish several recreation fee sites. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows that the proposed recreation fees are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Somerset Campground $25/night Fee
Somerset Airfield Campground would charge a proposed expanded-amenity fee of $25.00 per night for campground use.
Grout Pond Day Use Fees and Passes
Grout Pond developed recreation site would charge $5.00 per day per vehicle or $2.50 per day per person for walk-ins, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, with an annual pass option of $35.00 per vehicle. The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests Day Use Pass and the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass would be honored at these standard-amenity sites.
Reservation Platform $8 Transaction Fee
Reservations for campgrounds and cabins could be made via recreation.gov or by phone and would incur an $8.00 reservation transaction fee per reservation; this $8.00 is charged by the recreation.gov service provider and is not a Forest Service recreation fee and is retained by the service provider.
Local Spending of Fee Revenue (80%)
At least 80 percent of the proposed recreation fees would be spent where they are collected to enhance visitor experience, including operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites.
Six-Month Delay Before Fees Start
If approved, the proposed recreation fees would not be established earlier than six months after this notice was published in the Federal Register (publication date September 8, 2026).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18237, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The Tongass National Forest is proposing to establish one recreation fee site. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed recreation fee site would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the site. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows that the proposed recreation fees are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.
Next: 2026-18239, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The Ouachita National Forest is proposing to establish several recreation fee sites. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed recreation fee sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites with similar amenities shows that the proposed recreation fees are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.