Forest Service Wants Your Cash for Camping Basics
Published Date: 9/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The Cleveland National Forest is proposing to establish two special recreation permits. Proposed recreation fees collected at the proposed special recreation permit sites would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites and the special recreation use covered by the proposed special recreation permit. An analysis of nearby special recreation uses with similar amenities shows that the proposed recreation fees are reasonable and typical of similar special recreation uses in the area.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New $4 Daily Recreation Fee
You would pay a proposed special recreation permit fee of $4 per person per day to visit Cedar Creek Falls (San Diego River Gorge Trail and Eagle Peak Road) and Three Sisters Falls (Three Sisters Trail and Eagle Peak Trail). If approved, this fee could be established no earlier than six months after the Federal Register publication (September 8, 2026).
$6 Reservation Transaction Fee
If you make a reservation for Cedar Creek Falls or Three Sisters Falls through recreation.gov or by phone, you would pay a $6.00 reservation transaction fee per reservation. That $6 fee is charged by the recreation.gov platform and is retained by the service provider, not the Forest Service.
Local Spending of At Least 80% of Fees
At least 80% of the proposed recreation fees for these permits would be spent where they are collected to improve the visitor experience, including operation, maintenance, safety, and customer service. Fee revenue would be used to enhance recreation opportunities and address maintenance needs at the sites.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16965, Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation
The USDA wants to cancel the 2001 Roadless Rule that stopped road building and logging in special forest areas. This change gives local forest managers more freedom to decide how to care for these lands based on local needs. People have until September 21, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could affect how forests are managed and how money is spent on these lands.
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2026-18240, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The El Yunque National Forest is proposing to establish several recreation pass options and a special recreation permit. Proposed recreation fees collected for the proposed recreation passes and for the proposed special recreation permit would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites and the special recreation use covered by the proposed special recreation permit. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites and special recreation uses with similar amenities shows that the proposed recreation fees are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites and special recreation uses in the area.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18243, Proposed Recreation Fee Site
The Six Rivers National Forest is proposing to establish a new 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 fee is reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites in the area.
Next: 2026-18245, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The Manti-La Sal National Forest plans to start charging fees at several campgrounds and rental sites to help keep them clean, safe, and fun. Fees range from $15 to $75 per night depending on the site and group size, and they won’t start for at least six months after this notice. Visitors who love camping and renting forest spots will see these changes soon, with most of the money going right back into improving their outdoor experience.