Six Rivers National Forest Proposes Campsite Fee Increases at Dozens of Sites
Press release from the Six Rivers National Forest Service:
[Stock photo by Brooks Rice on Unsplash]
The Six Rivers National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at various recreation sites on the forest.
“Rising costs make it harder to keep our sites in good shape, so updating our recreation fees helps us maintain the experiences people count on at Six Rivers. We’re also excited to add a new rental cabin among many other upgrades.” Said Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Ted McArthur.
Not all recreation sites on the forest require a fee. Including the sites in this proposal, 66% of sites on the forest would still not require a recreation fee. Six Rivers National Forest will continue to not charge any entrance or day-use fees and will continue to honor discounts from passes that offer discounts on camping fees.
The proposed fees by site are listed in the table below:
Site Name Site Type Current Fee Proposed Fee Year 1 Proposed Fee Year 2 Bailey Canyon Campground Single Site Fee: $12 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 Big Flat Campground Single Site Fee: $8 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *Boise Creek Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *Dillon Creek Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 East Fork Campground Single Site Fee: $8 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 E-ne-nuck Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 Fir Cove Campground Single Site Fee: $12 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *Fish Lake Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *Grassy Flat Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 Mad River Campground Single Site Fee: $12 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 Nordheimer Campground Single Site Fee: $8 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 North Fork Campground Single Site Fee: $8 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *Oak Bottom Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *Panther Flat Campground Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $25 Single Site Fee: $30 *Patrick Creek Campground Single Site Fee: $14 Single Site Fee: $20 Single Site Fee: $25 *Pearch Creek Campground Single Site Fee: $10 Single Site Fee: $15 Single Site Fee: $20 *East Fork Group Campsite Group Campground Night Fee: $50 rate per group size: 25 N/A Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 25 *Nordheimer Group Campgrounds (sites A, B, C, D) Group Campground Night Fee: $50 rate per group size: 50 N/A Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 50 *Bear Basin Butte And Pierson Cabin Lookout or Cabin Summer Season: Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 12
Shoulder Season: Night Fee: $35 rate per group size: 10
Winter Season: Night Fee: $35 rate per group size: 10N/A Summer Season: Night Fee: $100 rate per group size: 12
Shoulder Season: Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 10
Winter Season: Night Fee: $35 rate per group size: 10*Patrick Creek Bathhouse Cabin Lookout or Cabin Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 4 N/A Night Fee: $65 rate per group size: 4 *These sites can be reserved through www.recreation.gov for an added $8 reservation fee.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain at least 80% of the money collected at recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Revenue collected through increased recreation fees would help fund improvements to forest recreation infrastructure, address differed maintenance, and improve public safety. Recreation fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed recreation fee changes. The comment period is set to begin on May 22, 2026, and end by close of business on September 15, 2026. To ensure that your comments are considered, please submit your comments no later than the above date. Comments can be mailed to Six Rivers National Forest, Attention: Julia Everta, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA, 95501 or by email at [email protected]. Comments can additionally be provided online to the Six Rivers National Forest StoryMap. Written comments can also be submitted in person at any of our Six Rivers National Forest offices during their normal business hours. All comments must be provided in writing to ensure they are collected accurately. Questions may be routed to [email protected] or 707-441-3543.
Once public involvement is complete, these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by an 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 recreation fees. The committee will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.
For more information about Six Rivers National Forest, visit our website.
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
IMHO:
Newsomite gas prices > empty National Forests.
Sure, because Gavin Newsome started the war in Iran.
Bozo logic strikes again.
You’re governor ran the refineries out of ca that is why gas and everything else is so expensive in ca if you want someone to blame blame everyone who votes democrat
You bomb a country that controls an oil chokepoint, the raw material price has skyrocketed.
Trumpies always deflect and lie. Always.
When those issues compound each other you get $6.50 gas. Trump’s little fits didn’t help, but neither did Newsom’s policies.
Don’t like Rump.
Don’t like Newsom.
Don’t like having our nation controlled by a (foreign) racial/religious group.
Current US Constitution (court decisions) don’t provide any real answers.
System is now dedicated to two semi-rival gangs.
Best thing the citizens can do is alter the gang ‘in control’ every few years.
Keep them off-balance during the transition years.
“You’re governor” tells me all I need to know. I’m pretty sure that ABA isn’t the governor.
Gas prices are up significantly (on a percentage basis) in red states too.
Bozo Logic:.
Gas prices in California are $1.50 to 2 bucks a gallon more than the national average.
The states with the lowest average gas prices nationwide are centered in the South and Midwest, $3.95 per gallon.
By comparison, the national average is currently around $4.45 per gallon, while California sees the highest costs, averaging more than $6.09 per gallon. Which is more than Hawaii…. $5.65 per gallon.
Go Newsomite figure.
Drive less, drive a more efficient vehicle, or go electric. But complaints about fuel prices from folks who insist on driving oversized trucks or SUVs for no reason other than image carry about as much weight as you typically find in the bed of a lifted bro-dozer.
You are not going to find an ‘electric’ car charger at Orleans Mtn Lookout… or Grizzly Camp… or Orleans… or Hoopa… or Happy Camp… or Forest Glen… or Hayfork…or Willow Creek… or Etna… or Forks of Salmon… or Coffee Creek… etc. etc.
I do have a hybrid vehicle… but it is just for ‘streets’ only.
Probably should trade it in on a RAV 4… (or some-such).
You’d be surprised — Hoopa has 5 chargers already. There’s one at Klamath, they just installed a couple run off solar panels at Berry Summit on 299 and Willow Creek has a couple.
Batteries and ranges are getting better but there is still a lot of room for improvement. I save driving my truck for when I need it to haul something and walk or use my bike for the rest.
Trumpo gas prices thanks to Trumpo optional war. Are you registered for the draft yet?
As a frequent National Forest and Park user, I sincerely hope the forests have fewer visitors this year for whatever reason. The crowds and damage from overuse in recent years has been devastating in some areas.
It will be an ICE-y year. Not that ICE, but Internal Combustion Engines. That is, there aren’t a whole lot of EV chargers in parks and people will need those if they want to visit and not get stuck at a campground while going from one to the next. Power will be to those with fuel for vehicles (and generators).
That isn’t speculation, but an actual question from out-of-state travelers the other day; people wanting to visit, but no EV charging in parks, so they roll on.
I agree Tim. Maybe it is time to set a limit on the number of people allowed to camp within the park system at one time. Some of the so-called campers leave their trash all over the place, cut firewood from trees, downed limbs, and even from any tables that are wood. The park service could even sell bundles of firewood for several bucks. If it continues to get worse, I would not be surprised if they don’t close some of the damaged campgrounds. As far as prices are concerned, a few more dollars spent is worth it if you like camping. But more people seem to be bitching about Trump and who knows what else. They have really strayed off the beaten path.
Trump guts National Forest Service, raises fees at campgrounds they maintain.
Maggoty!
How many of these sites are run by concessionaires that are getting the fees rather than the Forest Service?
You can apply to be one right here: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/authorized-concessioners.htm for a records list.
Open opportunities.
Commercial Services Program (PDF)
You, as a local person, can sell junk food and bug spray at parks. You pay fees that go to the parks, bring people in that also pay fees and spend money locally, AND you get employees that have some sort of employment in the middle of nowhere, even if only seasonal. That’s always been a thing. I’ve worked concessions as a kid through Boy Scouts and other groups.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-built-a-site-to-ensure-fair-access-to-public-lands-then-everything-went-wrong/
Not one on the Six Rivers NF.