The U.S. Forest Service recently announced that some fees for recreation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be changed for the summer.
Spoiler: the prices aren’t getting reduced.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest conducted public outreach last summer for comments on the fee proposal, and the changes come after the forest’s resource advisory committee’s review and approval. Proposed changes were based on the level of amenities and services provided, the news release stated.
In short, the rate hikes aren’t a surprise.
“To help fund maintenance and operations of popular campgrounds, day-use sites, cabin/lookout rentals, and climbing and backcountry programs on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest new and modified fees will be implemented at some developed recreation sites,” stated a news release this week. “Fee changes will be implemented in stages over the course of the next few years.”
An act passed by Congress in 2004 allowed the forest service to keep 95% of revenue collected at recreation sites, according to the release, and use those funds for local operation, management and improvement. That revenue can make a difference for trash pickups, septic and toilet pumping, painting, cleaning, addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance, conducting patrols, maintaining highly used trails, cabin/lookout rentals, campsites and more, the service said.
For a full list of approved Gifford Pinchot National Forest fee changes, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/fees.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest hosts fee-free days each year. On fee-free days, the agency waives recreation fees at day-use sites. You can find information on fee free days at https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits.
Starting July 1, fee changes will be implemented at the following campgrounds in the Mount Adams Ranger District:
• Government Mineral Springs (the current fee $5) new fee: $10 per night
• Tillicum Campground (the current fee is $5) new fee: $10 per night
• Forlorn Lakes Campground (the current fee is $10) new fee: $15 single, (current fee $20 double) new fee: $30 double per night
• Trout Lake Creek Campground (the current fee is $10) new fee: $15 per night
• Cultus Creek Campground (the current fee is $10) new fee: $15 per night
• Lewis River Horse Camp (the current fee is $5) new fee: $15 per night plus $5 per extra vehicle
• Mt. Adams Horse Camp (the current fee is $5) new fee: $15 per night plus $5 per extra vehicle
Starting August 1, fee changes will be implemented at the following sites:
• Day-use/NW Forest Pass sites including:
- Crest Camp Trailhead (currently there is no fee) new fee: $5 per day
- Falls Creek Falls Trailhead (currently there is no fee) new fee: $5 per day
- Cascade Peaks Interpretive (currently there is no fee) new fee: $5 per day
• Group site
- Marble Mountain Group Picnic site new rental opportunity fee: $100 per day (summer only)
• Recreation Rental
- Gotchen Guard Station (currently not available for rent) new fee: $85/night
