Golden Age etc and Bighorn Nat Rec Area

bobsallyh wrote:
Several years ago, there was a movement by some concessionaires to try to eliminate the half-price camping fee. Once word leaked out thru several RV oriented organizations this went nowhere! We just left Bakers Hole Thursday AM. If not using a Senior Pass and you are on a power site , the charge is $16.00 for the camp site and an additional $7.00 for power. If using the Pass, and you are on a power site, the camping fee is $8.00 plus power of $7.00 for a total of $15.00. If using a non power site with Pass it is $8.00. Non Pass user on non power site is $16.00. Fortunately when we got there our favorite solar site was available. So we stayed 16 days at $8.00 a day for a grand total of $128.00!

Our favorite non electric, solar site there is one of two pull throughs in a row facing the Madison River.

I will point out that there is a difference between concessionaires and contractors. Many of our Forest Service campgrounds are contractors.

The concessionaire may or may not have put in the electrical boxes. But the concessionaire must pay the ongoing electric bill. And in some CG I know in Texas the concessionaire must pay for all the work related to the water system and sewer system.

I’m sure there are a few exceptions to the general rule across the country. But most new concession contracts are standardized now days.

Several years ago, there was a movement by some concessionaires to try to eliminate the half-price camping fee. Once word leaked out thru several RV oriented organizations this went nowhere! We just left Bakers Hole Thursday AM. If not using a Senior Pass and you are on a power site , the charge is $16.00 for the camp site and an additional $7.00 for power. If using the Pass, and you are on a power site, the camping fee is $8.00 plus power of $7.00 for a total of $15.00. If using a non power site with Pass it is $8.00. Non Pass user on non power site is $16.00. Fortunately when we got there our favorite solar site was available. So we stayed 16 days at $8.00 a day for a grand total of $128.00!

ReneeG wrote:

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
The model the USFS has been using for several years is that the basic camping fee is discounted 50% for the senior pass and ‘additional services’ are full price.

The basic camping fee is equal to the amount charged for a no hookups dry camping site.

I’ve stayed at some NPS contractor operated campgrounds that work the same way. Usually works out to about 1/3 to 1/4 off the non-senior pass cost.

Yes, this is what we've found to be true too. At Baker's Hole FS CG with electricity in West Yellowstone, MT, your site is 50% off with your pass and you pay full amount for the electricity which I think is $14 a night if I remember correctly.

ReneeG and PPnG has the correct answer --- the park camping fee is half-off, but it charges an 'upgrade fee' for electricity. Many are "E" only, no water at site. As we understand it, the concessionaire installed the electric boxes, and therefore charges a fee for it, and runs the campsite. Non-HU sites are still half-off standard campsite fee.

Concessionaires can decide if they want to honor the passes or not. Not all do. We even hosted at a forestry run campground that did not give 50% off. They did give a discount, but it wasn't 50%. We also worked for a concessionaire in a forestry park - they did not honor the discounts at all. First park was in AL, second in MI.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
The model the USFS has been using for several years is that the basic camping fee is discounted 50% for the senior pass and ‘additional services’ are full price.

The basic camping fee is equal to the amount charged for a no hookups dry camping site.

I’ve stayed at some NPS contractor operated campgrounds that work the same way. Usually works out to about 1/3 to 1/4 off the non-senior pass cost.

Yes, this is what we've found to be true too. At Baker's Hole FS CG with electricity in West Yellowstone, MT, your site is 50% off with your pass and you pay full amount for the electricity which I think is $14 a night if I remember correctly.

DownTheAvenue wrote:

Jbird wrote:
NPS has put the campground here with a concessionaire. Now there is no discount at a federal campground for seniors,veterans etc. I guess its important that this group be targeted for $$$ increase.The selling of America.

I think you have just assumed that since a concessionaire operates the campground, a discount has been eliminated. The discount should be in place regardless of who operates the campground.

That's what I would think too.

Jbird wrote:
NPS has put the campground here with a concessionaire. Now there is no discount at a federal campground for seniors,veterans etc. I guess its important that this group be targeted for $$$ increase.The selling of America.

I think you have just assumed that since a concessionaire operates the campground, a discount has been eliminated. The discount should be in place regardless of who operates the campground.

The model the USFS has been using for several years is that the basic camping fee is discounted 50% for the senior pass and ‘additional services’ are full price.

The basic camping fee is equal to the amount charged for a no hookups dry camping site.

I’ve stayed at some NPS contractor operated campgrounds that work the same way. Usually works out to about 1/3 to 1/4 off the non-senior pass cost.