Proposed Changes to Recreation Fees Identified by Prescott National Forest

The Prescott National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at select recreation sites across the forest.

“The forest is excited to bring new opportunities to the public,” said Prescott National Forest Supervisor Sarah Clawson. “These fees will help us maintain these sites and provide funding for routine operations.” The popular Prescott National Forest Pass and the America the Beautiful–the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes will be honored at these day use sites.

Including the proposed sites, more than half (57%) of the developed recreation sites would still not require a fee.

The proposed fees are listed in the table below.

Site Name	Site Type	Current Fee	Proposed Fee
White Spar Trailhead	Trailhead	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle
Bean Peaks Trailhead	Trailhead	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle
Skidmore Day Use	Picnic Site	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle
Playground Group Campground	Group Campground	Night Fees: 1-25 people $75 26-50 people $100 51-75 people $125 Over 76 people $150	Night Fees: 1-25 people $75 26-50 people $100 51-75 people $125 *Maximum group size set at 75 due to resource damage
Grief Hill Trailhead	Trailhead	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle
Black Canyon Fishing	Fishing Site	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle
Bignotti Picnic Ground	Picnic Site	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle
Beasley Flat Picnic Ground	Picnic Site	Day Fee: $0 rate per vehicle	Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle

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. Eighty percent of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain, and improve facilities. Revenue collected through recreation fees helps the forests improve infrastructure at these sites. The resources derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.

These fee changes will be reviewed 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.

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 July 2, 2024. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Prescott National Forest, Attention: Julie Rowe, 735 N Hwy 89, Chino Valley, AZ 86323 or julie.rowe@usda.gov. Comments can also be provided online at https://arcg.is/1KzWzz.

Oral comments must be provided in person at the Prescott National Forest to Julie Rowe during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at the Bradshaw/Chino Valley Ranger District, located at 344 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ 86303, or by calling 928-856-2687 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes.

Once public involvement is complete, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by a Resource Advisory Committee, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.