Some may remember the days when some things were free. Air for your tires. Coffee refills at restaurants. Television programs. More and more, free camping is vanishing, and the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) office in Butte, Montana, has several presently free campgrounds to add to the list of those that will soon charge money. No more free camping.
Eight campgrounds say no more free camping
In a notice published in the Federal Register, the BLM announced it is establishing new recreation fees to support expanded amenities at eight developed recreation sites. These campgrounds are:
- Carbella
- Crow Creek
- Dickie Bridge
- East Bank
- Maiden Rock
- Galena Gulch
- Lower Toston
- Upper Toston
The agency is also implementing day-use fees for the Big Hole River Corridor, to include the Dickie Bridge, Divide Bridge, East Bank, Maiden Rock, and Jerry Creek day-use sites.
The new fees will kick in on May 14, 2025.
How much will you pay for what was once free?
How much will you pay to stay at these presently free campgrounds? At the Carbella, Dickie Bridge, Maiden Rock, and East Bank campgrounds, an “expanded amenity fee” of $15 per campsite per night will be charged. $10 per campsite per night will be charged at the Crow Creek, Galena Gulch, Lower Toston, and Upper Toston campgrounds. Sorry, no more free camping.
And just to drive in? Day-use fees of $5 per vehicle per day in the Big Hole River Corridor at the Dickie Bridge, Divide Bridge, East Bank, Maiden Rock, and Jerry Creek day-use areas. A season pass for Big Hole day-use can be had for $20.
While there may be no more free camping, we understand that no additional fees will be charged for breathing air at any of these locations.
For ideas on free camping, click here.
##RVT1183b
Montana getting as bad as Michigan. @@
You mean there are places where breathing air is not free? What is this world coming to!
Still a bargain. But probably an outrage for those that became accustomed to something for nothing.
No, it’s an outrage to watch billions spent on campaigning yet be told the taxes we pay aren’t enough to sustain a patch of gravel at a dispersed site.
It’s an outrage to watch the billions spent “policing” the world yet be told the taxes we pay aren’t enough to sustain a patch of grass at a dispersed site.
It’s an outrage to watch international mining companies extract billions in profit from public lands but gawd forbid you put a tent up without paying.
If someone doesn’t pay taxes, serve in the military or trashes public lands, charge ‘em into the ground but paying to give up your rights (even at a “bargain”) is how democracies fail.
Thank you for reinforcing my point! By the way there are many expenditures from my tax money that I don’t agree, but I never expect something for nothing. Have a magical day!
Agreed. And safe travels to you as well sir!
Yes, there are billions/trillions spent by our government. But, the BLM has to work within their budget. When inconsiderate people trash an area, someone has to clean it up, or at least patrol the area. Since “your” mother doesn’t work there, there is a cost involved.
MAYBE, if people have to pay to use an area, they will take better care of it so the fees don’t go up. I know, that is a pipe dream. But since we can’t personally redirect gov’t expenditures, we have to pay extra to use the land that the gov’t manages.
Well said, Duane! 🙂 Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Failed for sure now!
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Television was not free. We always had to sit through commercials. Why wouldn’t they charge for camping? Price is an allocative mechanism. Higher prices are expected to reduce use, prevent overuse. They also provide revenue to cover employee and maintenance costs. They may even plan to make enhancements. Have a great weekend and safe travels!