Federal Register #2026-21251

Forest Service proposal for recreation site fees and overnight permits

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing recreation fees and an overnight permit across three national forest units; this is a public notice, not a procurement solicitation. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service - Offices: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Eldorado National Forest, and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - Proposed fees and services: - Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: $15 per night at ten named campgrounds and horse camps, plus $5 per extra vehicle. Standard amenity sites would charge $5 per day per vehicle or $40 per year. The listed sites include boating locations, campground day-use areas, fishing sites, and reservoirs. - Eldorado National Forest: $26 per night at Airport Flat, Azalea Cove, Camino Cove, Cole Creek, and Lone Rock; $46 per night for Camino Cove double sites; and $100 per night for Bunker Hill Lookout Cabin. Designated trailheads and developed sites would charge $10 per day per vehicle. - Mokelumne Carson Pass Management Area: overnight camping permit proposed at $10 per person per night in years 1 through 4, increasing to $15 beginning in year 5. - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit: $20 per night at Luther Pass Overflow and Watson Lake campgrounds. Certain picnic areas and trailheads would charge $10 per day per vehicle; Big Meadow Trailhead, Kiva Beach, and Taylor Creek Visitor Center would charge $10 initially, rising to $15 after five years. - OEMs: None identified. Recreation.gov is named as the reservation platform; campground and cabin reservations would incur a separate $8 transaction fee. - The America the Beautiful–the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass would be honored at standard amenity sites. Fee revenue would support operations, maintenance, and improvements, with at least 80% retained for Forest use. - Implementation is proposed no earlier than six months after notice publication and remains subject to public involvement and advisory committee review.

Description

The Eldorado National Forest proposes establishing several recreation fee sites and a special recreation permit. Proposed fees include campground and cabin fees, daily vehicle fees at designated trailheads and recreation sites, and a per-person, per-night fee for overnight camping in the Mokelumne Carson Pass Management Area. Fee revenue would support operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites and the covered recreation use. If approved, the proposed sites and fees would be established no earlier than six months after publication of the notice.

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