Sonora, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest is proposing to charge new or increased fees at 31 developed recreation sites to conduct deferred maintenance and make improvements to enhance visitor enjoyment (Table 1.). Numerous day-use sites, overnight camping sites, and other recreation sites are managed without user fees on the forest.

“We recognize how important these sites are to our local communities. Fee increases will help us maintain the sites to the level and quality people have come to expect as well as make the fees more consistent throughout the state. During this public input period, we want to hear strategies and other ideas to help cut costs and leverage resources” said Beth Martinez, Stanislaus National Forest Deputy Forest Supervisor.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Ninety-five percent of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain, and improve facilities. Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forests improve infrastructure at campsites and day-use sites and hire additional recreation staff during the season of operation. The resource derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities and creates a more financial sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.

Under REA, all new fees and any fee changes must be proposed and approved by a citizen’s advisory committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.

These sites will continue to offer free opportunities and fee free days throughout the year. The full suite of the America the Beautiful Interagency Passes will be honored at these day use sites including the Annual ($80), Senior ($20 annual, $80 lifetime), and Access passes (free for people with permanent disabilities). The forest is considering a forest wide annual pass for $30 that can be used at these days use sites. The Tuolumne River Permit is proposed for a fee increase to update a fee that has been in place for over 20 years.

Table 1. Stanislaus National Forest recreation sites proposed for new or increased fees
Calaveras Ranger District Site Name Site Type Current Fee Proposed Fee
Sourgrass Day Use Site $0 $5 per day $30 Annual Forest Pass
Union East Boating Site $0 $5 per day $30 Annual Forest Pass
Hermit Valley Campground $0 $20
Mosquito Lakes Campground $8 $20
Pacific Valley Campground $10 $25
Bloomfield Campground $12 $25
Black Springs OHV Campground $0 $20
Big Meadow Campground $19 $30
Stanislaus River Campground $12 $30
Rocky Point- Utica Reservoir Campground $16 $30
Sandy Flat- Utica Reservoir Campground $16 $30
Union East Campground $16 $30
Union West Campground $16 $30
Highland Lakes Campground $12 $30
Waka Lu Hep Yo Campground $20 $35
Big Meadow Group Group Campground $50 $100 per night

Summit Ranger District (HWY 108)
Site Name Site Type Current Fee Proposed Fee
Beardsley Day Use Site $0 $5 per day $30 Annual Forest Pass
Herring Creek Campground $0 $20
Herring Reservoir Campground $0 $20
Cascade Creek Campground $8 $20
Mill Creek Campground $8 $20
Fence Creek Campground $8 $20
Niagara Creek Campground $8 $20
Niagara Creek OHV Campground $12 $20
TeleLi puLaya Campground $20 per single site $50 per group site $30 per single site $60 per group site
Beardsley Dan Campground $20 $30

Table 1. Stanislaus National Forest recreation sites proposed for new or increased fees
Mi Wok Ranger District
Site Name Site Type Current Fee Proposed Fee
Hull Creek Campground $12 $25
Sand Bar Flat Campground $12 per single site $24 per double site $25 per single site $50 per double site

Groveland Ranger District
Site Name Site Type Current Fee Proposed Fee
Rainbow Pool Day Use $0 $5 per day $30 Annual Forest Pass
Carlon Day Day use $0 $5 per Day $30 Annual Forest Pass

Special Recreation Permit
Name Type Current Fee Proposed Fee
Tuolumne River Permit River Permit $2 $10 per Day

More information on the REA Fee Proposal process including maps of the recreation sites included in the proposal package are available here: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=f6a8f81baf2843c8bd96c8035d8cc3bc

The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period is set to end by close of business on November 30, 2021. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send comments no later than the above date to Stanislaus Forest Service, Attention: Casey Jardine, 19777 Greenley Road Sonora, CA 95370, or email comments to: SM.FS.RecreatFees@usda.gov.
Oral comments must be provided in person at any Stanislaus National Forest office or by calling Casey Jardine by 209-813-6011 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes. For more information on the proposed project, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus/.

At the close of the public comment period, all comments received will be reviewed. Then, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by a Recreation Advisory Committee, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.

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