Proposed changes to recreation fees identified by the San Bernardino National Forest

Release Date: Jul 21, 2023

Contact(s): Gustavo Bahena

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., July 21, 2023 – The San Bernardino National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at nine developed recreation sites on the three ranger districts of the forest.

Currently, approximately 40 percent of day-use sites, overnight camping sites and other developed recreation sites are managed without user fees.

“We recognize how important these sites are to our local communities and those who use the sites,” said Jonar Rodrigo, Southern Zone Adventure Pass and Recreation Fee Program Manager with the San Bernardino National Forest. “These 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.”

The proposed fees by site and ranger district follow: at the Front Country District, the Applewhite Campground fee would increase from $10 to $25 for a single site. At the Mountain Top District, the Big Pine Flat OHV Staging Area fee would go from free to $5 per vehicle. At the San Jacinto District, the Pinyon Flats Campground fee would increase from $8 to $20 per night and $5 to $10 per additional vehicle; at the Marion Mountain, Fern Basin and Boulder Basin campgrounds the fees would be increased from $10 to $20 per night and $5 to $10 per additional vehicle; the Dark Canyon Campground fee would go from $12 to $20 a night and $5 to $10 per additional vehicle; the Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground fee would change from $15 to $30 per night, and; the Black Mountain Group Campground fees would increase from $50 to $100 (1-24 people), $75 to $150 (25-49 people), $110 to $200 (50-74 people) and $140 to $225 (75-100 people).

At the newly built OHV staging area at Big Pine Flat, the Annual Adventure Pass and the full suite of Interagency Passes would be honored.

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 Oct. 1. Bring or mail your written comments to San Bernardino National Forest, Attention: Jonar Rodrigo, 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408 or communicate by email at sm.fs.BDFFEEPROP@usda.gov. Comments can also be submitted at https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=f6a8f81baf2843c8bd96c8035d8cc3bc

The above image shows the online site for submitting comments.

Verbal comments can be provided in person at the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office (located at the above mailing address) during normal business hours, Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., or by calling (909) 382-2682 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 www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf.

After public involvement, 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.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 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. At least 80 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 that meet the modern expectations of visitors 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.

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