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2024 Recreation Fee Proposal
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing changes to fees at five recreation areas on the National Forests in North Carolina. By law, these proposed fee increases are subject to public comment and review by the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. The public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes for 60 days beginning on May 3, 2024, and ending on July 2, 2024.
The Forest Service recognizes how important the National Forests in North Carolina are to our local communities and the citizens who recreate on the forest. Increased fee collections would help to improve visitor experiences and enables the Forest Service to be more strategic in planning and developing a sustainable recreation program. These fee changes will help us maintain our sites and trails at the level and quality our visitors have come to expect, especially at a time when we are experiencing increases in recreation use and operating costs. Under the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, up to 95 percent of fees collected at recreation sites may be used locally to operate, maintain, and improve these areas, so fee increases will translate directly to improved facilities and trails across the forest. Specifically, we propose the following fee changes on the National Forests in North Carolina:
Nantahala National Forest
Cheoah River Paddle Pass: new $10 annual pass option (existing $2 daily fee remains the same)
Dry Falls: increase from $3/vehicle or $15 annual pass to $5/vehicle fee or $30 annual pass*
Whiteside Mountain: increase from $3/vehicle or $15 annual pass to $5/vehicle fee or $30 annual pass*
Whitewater Falls: increase from $3/vehicle or $15 annual pass to $5/vehicle fee or $30 annual pass*
*Daily and annual passes purchased are honored across Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, and Whitewater Falls
Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie Hunt Camp: increase from $5 to $15 per night
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes by July 2, 2024. To provide comments about this fee proposal for the RRAC to consider, please comment online at our Recreation Fee Proposal Mapping Tool or contact Logan Free at 828-257-4256, by email at SM.FS.NFsNCfees@usda.gov, or by mail at:
ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals
160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801