The cost of camping is likely going up. Shoshone National Forest is proposing significant campground fee increases at recreation sites across the forest, including those often used by outdoor recreation enthusiasts in the Big Horn Basin.

In some campgrounds, fees proposed are double the current rates. For example, the fee proposal for Crazy Creek Campground near Cooke City, Montana, would double from the current rate of $10 to $20 if the proposal is accepted.

Campgrounds like Lily Lake and Little Sunlight Campgrounds in the Clarks Fork Ranger District would see a $10 fee for the first time, as would Deer Creek Campground in the Wapiti Ranger District, all three campgrounds in the Greybull Ranger District and five previously fee free campgrounds in the Washakie Ranger District. 

Most campgrounds will see a $5 to $10 increase in fees. Double and triple campsites could increase by $20 to $30 and to rent a Sunlight Rangers Cabin, the proposed fee increase is $75, going from $150 to $225.

Existing campground fees have been in place since 2006. Forest management is pointing out that “over 70% of day-use sites, overnight camping sites, and other recreation sites are managed without user fees currently on the forest,” they reported in a Wednesday press release.

“We recognize how important these sites are to our visitors, local communities, and those who use the sites,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Kathleen Minor. “The proposed fee increases will help us operate and maintain the sites to the level and quality people have come to expect as well as make the fees more consistent with other similar recreation sites throughout the state.”

Any fee changes must be proposed and approved by a citizen’s advisory committee. Wyoming uses a Recreation Action Team (REACT) which is a group that represents 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.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain revenue collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain and improve the sites.

Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forests improve infrastructure at campsites and hire additional recreation staff to clean sites, operate water systems and make necessary repairs, according to the release.

“The revenue derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of current and future generations,” it said.

A list of the proposed fee increases can be found online at fs.usda.gov/detail/shoshone/home/?cid=fseprd1117448.

The public is invited to comment on the proposals in one of a variety of formats, including making oral comments in person at the Shoshone National Forest to Paul Rau during normal business hours, calling 307-578-5140 indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes, sending your comment by email to ShoshoneCG@usda.gov, submitting a comment online at usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c6ccf2cf19e44e39995868ccf0ce70fc,  or submitting a comment card available at the district office, campgrounds, and Sunlight Rangers Cabin. Please mail your comment cards to Shoshone Forest Service, Attention: Paul Rau, 808 Meadow Lane Avenue, Cody, WY 82414.