Proposed Changes to Recreation Fees on the Payette National Forest
The Payette National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at various recreation sites on the forest. Not all recreation sites on the forest require a fee. Including the sites in this proposal, over 52% of sites on the forest would still not require a recreation fee.
The proposed fees by site are listed in the below tables.
| Site Name | Site Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
| Deadman Bar | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $10 |
| Justrite | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $10 |
| Kiwanis | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $10 |
| Old East Fork | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $10 |
| Paradise | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $10 |
| Big Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Big Flat | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Brownlee | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Buckhorn Bar | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Burgdorf | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Cabin Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 Double Site Fee: $15 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Camp Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Chinook | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Cold Springs* | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Evergreen* | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Four Mile | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Grouse* | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Hazard Lake | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Huckleberry | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Jeanette | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Kennally Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Lafferty | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Lake Fork | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Last Chance | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Mann Creek* | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Ponderosa | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Poverty Flat | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Secesh | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 |
| Spring Creek* | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Upper Payette Lake* | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 | Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $20 |
| Spring Creek | Group Picnic* | Day Fee: $15 rate per $20 rate per group size: 26-50 $30 rate per group size: 76-max people | Day Fee: $30 rate per group size: 1-50 $50 rate per group size: 51-max people |
| Upper Payette Lake* | Group Campground | Night Fee: $20 rate per group size: 50 | Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 50 |
| Cold Springs* | Group Campground | Night Fee: $20 rate per group size: 50 Night Fee: $30 rate per group size: 75 | Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 50 Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 75 |
*Site is available on Recreation.gov with an additional reservation fee of $8.00
Public Commentary Period
The public is invited to provide comments on these proposed changes until September 15, 2025. This public comment period allows you to ask questions and share feedback with agency decision-makers. Your comments regarding the proposed fee change will be considered.
How to Provide Comments
To ensure that your comments are considered, please share your comments no later than September 15, 2025 using one of the methods listed below.
Online
Comments can be provided online at https://arcg.is/1eKXDW0.
Postal Mail
Utilizing the downloadable Recreation Fee Proposal Comment Form, send postal mail comments to:
Payette National Forest
Attn: Emily Simpson
500 N Mission Street, McCall, ID 83638
Oral Comments
Oral comments must be made in person at the Payette National Forest Supervisor's Office during normal business hours (Monday- Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.), or by calling 208-634-0700 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes.
Comments will be accepted by email at this email address:
Please ensure to list Recreation Fee Changes in the subject line.
Evaluation and Decision
Once public involvement is complete, these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by a citizen’s 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.
Background - Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA)
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 recreation fees would help the forest improve infrastructure at recreation sites and fund additional recreation staff during the season of operation. 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.
“We recognize how important our recreation areas are to local communities and visitors of the Payette National Forest,” said Matthew Davis, Forest Supervisor for the Payette National Forest. “We are dedicated to providing high quality experiences and recreation fees are a critical funding source that helps us provide clean, safe, and accessible recreation opportunities.”