Recreation fee change proposal
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at 34 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. If approved, the Forest Service will implement the fee changes in mid-2018. The public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes for 46 days beginning on August 11, 2017 and ending on September 25, 2017.
The Forest Service recognizes how important the Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah and Uwharrie National Forests 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 sites, so fee increases will translate directly to improved facilities and trails across the forest. Proposed fee changes also will move us closer to fee levels charged by other nearby public and private recreation providers, as shown by our market analysis. Specifically, we propose the following fee changes in the Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah, and Uwharrie National Forests:
Campgrounds
Croatan
Oyster Point – increase from $7 to $10/single sites per night, and from $14 to $20/double sites per night
Flanners Beach/Neuse River – increase from $12 to $20/site per night
Nantahala
Bristol Fields Horse Camp – increase from $5 to $8/site per night
Wine Springs Horse Camp – new $10/site per night fee
Cable Cove, Horse Cove– increase from $10 to $15/site per night
Jackrabbit, Tsali – increase from $15 to $20/site per night
Cheoah Point – increase from $15 to $20/site per night, RV sites increase from $20 to $25/night, and increase from $35 to $40/night for cabins
Pisgah
Curtis Creek – increase from $5 to $10/site per night
Wolf Ford Hose Camp – new $10/site per night fee
Rocky Bluff – increase from $8 to $15/site per night
Mortimer – increase from $10 to $20/single site per night, and $20 to $40/double site per night
Uwharrie
West Morris Mountain – increase from $5 to $10/single site per night, and from $10 to $20/double site per night
Badin Lake – increase from $12 to $20/single site per night, and $24 to $40/double site per night
Arrowhead and Canebrake Horse Camp – increase from $18 to $20/single site per night, and from $36 to $40/double site per night
Group Campgrounds
Nantahala
Rattler Ford – increase from $50 to $75/site per night for 25 person sites
Appletree – increase from $50 to $75/site per night for 25 person sites, and from $100 to $150/site per night for 50 person sites
Uwharrie
Badin Lake – increase from $40 to $75/site per night, 50 person sites
Cabins
Nantahala
McCall Cabin – new $200 per week fee
Day Use Areas
Nantahala
Dry Falls – new $3/vehicle per day, new $15 annual pass (useable at Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, and Whitewater Falls)
Whiteside Mountain, and Whitewater Falls – increase from $2 to $3/vehicle per day, new $15 annual pass (useable at Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, and Whitewater Falls)
Jackrabbit Beach – increase from $3 to $5/vehicle per day, new $30 annual pass
Cheoah Point Beach – new $5/vehicle per day, new $30 annual pass
Pisgah
Roan Mountain – increase from $3 to $5/vehicle per day, new $30 annual pass
Major Visitor Center
Pisgah
Cradle of Forestry in America Historic Site – increased array of special programs and events offered, including workshops and musical performances. Prices will range from $8 up to $40 per person, depending on event
Shooting Ranges
Nantahala
Panther Top, Dirty John, and Moss Knob – increase $3 to $5/person per day, increase $25 to $30 annual passes useable at all Nantahala ranges
Atoah – new $5/person per day fee, new $30 annual passes useable at all Nantahala ranges
Uwharrie
Flintlock Valley – increase from $3 to $10/person per day, new $60 annual pass
Whitewater Launches
Nantahala River Corridor – increase from $1 to $2/paddler per day, new $10 annual pass; increase from $0.45 to $0.60/paddler per day for outfitter and guides