USFS campground fees?
Touring several nearby forest service campgrounds lately, I noticed one had some newer signs with rather large print, stating that campers must pay the day-use fee in addition to their camping fee... ...
Forum Discussion
SteveAE wrote:2gypsies wrote:
National forests do not charge campers a day use fee.
Actually they do. It started in 1996 as the Fee Demo program that has sense been renamed. Among other things, it covers parking at popular trail heads. $5 per day or a 12 month pass is available.
If you leave your car in your campsite though, this fee shouldn't apply. Only if you were to park at a trail head or other parking area that is clearly intended for day use parking will the fee, if applied to that recreation site, be applicable.
Steve is correct: Several years ago we found it the first time in an Idaho USFSCG above Sun Valley. We entered a USFSCG and read a new sign that gave camping fees, but also day-use fee (at the time, $3.00 unless you are camping) Camping fees covered day-use as well.
We were camping, so it didn't matter. But we're seen that fee a few times in other states ... most often, it's around a water area, like a reservoir or a river where boating is allowed, and a boat ramp available.
Can't name a specific one, just recall seeing the day-use fee notice. But we always camp ... so not relevant. i expect it will encompass more areas soon enough. Eventually, we'll pay it every forestry recreation area.
