If you RV in developed BLM campgrounds, listen up. The Bureau of Land Management requires a Recreation Site Business Plan for every area or site where use fees are charged. Each plan puts the public on notice of how those fee revenues will be used. Fair enough. Included in those plans is information on potential fee increases. Did that get your attention? The BLM plans fee increases in many states, with some sites increasing fees up to eight times their current rate. If you want your voice heard, the public comment period for many sites and areas is close to ending.
BLM plans fee increases in these states
Just what states have BLM Recreation Site Plans in the comment stage? Arizona, California, Idaho, and New Mexico all have “plans in the works.” We’ll walk you through the fee changes that directly affect RVers, on a state-by-state basis.
Arizona BLM fee increases
Comments on the proposals must be submitted or emailed by June 12. More information and the plan can be found here.
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area
The field office in St. George, Utah, notes these facts about the use of this popular site, which includes both a campground and day-use area. Some 14,760 visitors use the site each year. Fee revenues only partially cover expenses, and “will not cover future infrastructure replacement needs.” Fees haven’t changed since 1998. Here’s the proposal for fee changes.
Individual sites would increase from $8 to $22 per night
Group sites would be added (not presently available) and would cost $42 per night.
The plan here also includes automatic adjustments for increases in inflation. Based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) the BLM would increase each fee by 20% and rounded to the nearest dollar whenever the CPI-U rises by 20%.
Areas and sites managed by the Kingman, Arizona, Field Office
Burro Creek Campground (On U.S. 93, northeast of Wickenburg, Arizona)
Individual sites would increase from $14 to $28 per night.
The group site would increase from $50 to $80.
The RV dump station fee would increase from $10 to $15 per RV. Use of the RV dump station would remain free with the purchase of an overnight camping permit.
Wild Cow Springs Campground (On BLM Road 157, southeast of Walnut Creek, Arizona)
Individual sites would increase from $8 to $20 per night.
The group site would increase from $20 to $30 per night.
Windy Point Campground (on Big Wash Road, northeast of Chloride, Arizona)
Individual sites would increase from $8 to $20 per night.
Areas and sites managed by the Lake Havasu Field Office
Crossroads Campground (Parker Dam Road at Earp, California)
Individual sites would increase from $5 to $20 per night per vehicle (up to 8 adults) for sites without electrical hookups.
Individual electric hookup sites would increase from $5 to $40 per night per vehicle (up to 8 adults).
Proposed Quail Hollow Campground
Presently a day-use area 8 miles south of the Parker Dam on the California side of the Colorado River, the BLM suggests building a new campground.
The plan would include individual site fees at the proposed campground at $20 per night per vehicle (up to 8 adults) for sites without electrical hookups.
Hookup site fees at the proposed campground would $40 per night per vehicle (up to 8 adults).
California BLM fee increases
Comments on the proposals must be submitted by June 16. For more information and to see the plan, click here.
Areas and sites managed by the Mother Lode, California, Field Office
South Yuba Campground (Grizzly Hill Road, northeast of Nevada City, California)
Individual sites would increase from $5 to include parking for two vehicles, to $15 to include parking for two vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle, space allowing, to a maximum of four vehicles per site.
Merced River Recreation Area
Fee proposals in this area are unlike others we’ve discussed so far. The BLM field office hasn’t settled on a “this is it” fee proposal. Rather, they are suggesting a “could be as low as, to could be as high as” fee proposal. Bear with us as we break the information out in a slightly different format.
McCabe Flat Campground (West of SR 140, north of Mariposa, California)
Current fees: $10 per campsite, per night including parking for two vehicles.
Proposed fees: An increase to $20-$30 per campsite per night including parking for 2 vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle per night as space allows up to a maximum of four vehicles per site. $40-$50 for group site including four vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle as space allows up to a maximum of six vehicles per group site. A reservation services fee will be charged for online reservation use.
Willow Placer Campground (West of Briceburg, California)
Reservations: Currently first-come, first-served. Proposed for recreation.gov reservation system with implementation of modified fee.
Current fees: $10 fee charge per campsite per night including parking for two vehicles.
Proposed fees: An increase to $20-$30 per campsite per night including parking for two vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle per night as space allows up to a maximum of four vehicles per site. $40-$50 per group campsite per night including parking for four vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle as space allows up to a maximum of six vehicles per group site. A reservation services fee will be charged for online reservation use.
Railroad Flat Campground (Northwest of Briceburg, California)
Reservations: Currently first-come, first-served. Proposed for recreation.gov reservation.
Current fees: $10 per campsite, per night including parking for two vehicles.
Proposed fees: An increase to $20-$30 per campsite per night including parking for two vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle per night as space allows up to a maximum of four vehicles per site. $40-$50 per group campsite per night including parking for four vehicles. $5 per additional vehicle as space allows up to a maximum of six vehicles per group site.
Idaho BLM fee increases
Comments will be accepted through June 5, 2024. Email: BLM_ID_SalmonOffice@blm.gov. Fax: 208-756-5436. U.S. Mail: BLM Salmon Field Office, 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, ID 83467. You can see the complete plan here.
Areas and sites managed by the Salmon Field Office
All campgrounds managed by the Salmon Field Office have similar fees. BLM staff is keeping it simple—the fees will be raised equally across the board with one exception. A group camp, which is presently free, will see new fees.
The campgrounds managed by this field office are:
- McFarland Campground (On Idaho Route 28, south of Lemhi) and includes a group site.
- Williams Lake Campground (Off U.S. 93, southwest of Salmon, Idaho) and includes a group site.
- Morgan Bar Campground (Off U.S. 93, northwest of Carmen, Idaho)
- Shoup Bridge Campground (Off U.S. 93, south of Salmon, Idaho)
- Tower Rock Campground (Off U.S. 93, north of Salmon, Idaho)
Current fees: All of the above campgrounds, $5 per night. Group sites, free.
Proposed fees: All of the above campgrounds, $15 per night. Group sites, $30 per night.
New Mexico BLM fee increases
Sad to say, your opportunity to comment on this business plan closed on May 8. We include it here for informational purposes.
Sites managed by the Las Cruces District Office
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
Day fees: Presently $5 per day, proposed to increase to $7, all per vehicle, per day.
Camping fees: Individual sites presently $7 per day, proposed to increase to $10 per day.
Camping fees: RV hookup site presently $18 per day, proposed to increase to $25 per day.
Group Site: Presently $50 per day, proposed to increase to $60 per day.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 In that fees only partially cover the costs of campgrounds, and the fee increases address that, then I am not opposed to the increases. In fact, I like the idea that those who use something pay and those who do not don’t pay. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Well, that’s how the feds are funding their overspending in DC. Someone has to pay for it and it usually ends up on us!!!
We stay at Burro Creek when we’re in that area instead of boondocking because it’s a cool little place. It’s hit or miss if the water system works but at $14.00 a night, not a big deal. If BLM doubles the price to $28 a night, the water needs to work and the restrooms unlocked. I don’t mind paying for developed, level and clean sites if they offer something more then boondocking.
Funny they’re going to use the Consumer Price Index…to raise fees 20% ? My Social Security never goes up to match the Consumer Price Index ever.
After reviewing the proposed increases, I am ok with all identified. Seems folks always want “something for nothing” and RVers are no different. Those that would howl “fixed income” (aren’t we most of us) or it’s becoming too expensive to RV, it might be time to consider a different lifestyle/hobby. We ain’t going back to the good ole days, and have to adapt, improvise or overcome. As an crusty NCO one told me: “The key to your income is your expenses”.
I don’t mind the increase. Someone has to work and do maintenance at these locations. It’s reasonable.