North Carolina Picnic Spots Consider a Fifty-Dollar Day Fee
Published Date: 10/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service in North Carolina wants to start charging fees at two fun spots: Rocky Bluff Picnic Area and Poplar Boat Launch group picnic sites. These fees, about $50 a day, will help keep the places nice and improve your visit. If all goes well, fees could start at least six months after this announcement, and you can book your spot online with a small extra reservation fee.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New $50/day picnic and boat-launch fee
The Forest Service proposes an expanded amenity recreation fee of $50 per day for the Rocky Bluff Picnic Area and the Poplar Boat Launch group picnic sites. If approved, you would need to pay this $50 daily fee to use those group picnic sites.
$8 reservation transaction fee added
Reservations for the group picnic sites can be made online at recreation.gov or by phone, and a Reservation fee of $8.00 per reservation will be added to the cost. The notice states the $8.00 is a transaction fee charged by the recreation.gov platform and is not a Forest Service recreation fee.
Most fee revenue stays local for site improvements
The notice says at least 80 percent of the proposed recreation fees collected in the National Forests in North Carolina would remain available for expenditure at the Forest to enhance visitor experience. Collected fees would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites, including enhancing recreation opportunities, improving customer service, and addressing maintenance needs.
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