Forest Service Proposes New Fees for Camping and Boating
Published Date: 10/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests want to start charging fees at several campgrounds and boating sites to help keep them clean and fun. If approved, fees like $15 per night for camping and $5 per day for boating will kick in at least six months after this notice. Visitors will see better-maintained spots, and most of the money collected will stay local to improve their experience.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New $15/night camping fee
The Forest Service proposes an expanded-amenity camping fee of $15 per night plus $5 per extra vehicle at the following campgrounds: Black Jack, Blue Crossing, Coal Creek, Granville, Hannagan, KP Cienega, Lower Juan Miller, Scott Reservoir, Upper Blue, and Gabaldon Horse Camp. These fees would be charged at those named campgrounds if the proposal is approved.
New $5/day or $40/yr boating fee
A standard-amenity fee of $5 per day per vehicle or a $40 per year pass is proposed for many boating, day-use, and fishing sites, including Big Lake Boating Site, Big Lake Railroad Cove, Big Lake South Cove, Bunch Reservoir, Crescent Lake West Side, Luna Lake, Nelson Reservoir North and South, River Reservoir-Main, South Crescent Lake, Tunnel Reservoir, Black Jack Campground Day Use, Coal Creek Campground Day Use, Granville Campground Day Use, Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site, and River Reservoir South Fishing Site. If approved, visitors who drive to those sites would pay the per-day fee or could pay the annual $40 option.
America the Beautiful pass accepted at sites
The America the Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass would be honored at the listed standard-amenity recreation fee sites. Passholders may use that pass at those standard sites instead of paying the standard amenity fee.
At least 80% of fees stay local
At least 80 percent of the proposed recreation fees collected at the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest would remain available for expenditure at the Forest to enhance the visitor experience at the proposed recreation fee sites. Fee revenue would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites to enhance recreation opportunities and customer service.
$8 reservation transaction fee
Reservations for campgrounds can be made online or by phone, and a reservation transaction fee of $8.00 per reservation will be added to the cost of a reservation. The notice states the $8.00 fee is charged by the recreation.gov service provider and is retained by that provider, not the Forest Service.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous: 2026-21241, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
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