--- title: "The Forest Service Wants To Start Charging at 21 Camping Areas That Are Currently Free" url: "https://camperfaqs.com/the-forest-service-wants-to-start-charging-at-21-camping-areas-that-are-currently-free" author: "Tory Jon" published: "2026-10-19T09:48:15-05:00" modified: "2026-10-19T09:48:19-05:00" --- # The Forest Service Wants To Start Charging at 21 Camping Areas That Are Currently Free Camping at 21 Forest Service locations in Arizona, Montana, and California currently carries no overnight fee. Five proposals published October 19 could change that. Proposed prices range from $10 to $26 per night for a standard site. One California campground would charge $46 for a double site. A separate proposal for the Carson Pass area would charge each camper by the night. No new fees are in effect yet. The earliest possible start would be April 19, 2027, and each proposal still requires another review before a final decision. ## Ten free Arizona campgrounds could begin charging $15 The largest group is in Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The proposal covers: - Black Jack Campground - Blue Crossing Campground - Coal Creek Campground - Granville Campground - Hannagan Campground - KP Cienega Campground - Lower Juan Miller Campground - Scott Reservoir Campground - Upper Blue Campground - Gabaldon Horse Camp The Forest Service’s [current Apache-Sitgreaves campground guide](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd501846.pdf) identifies all 10 as no-fee locations. Most offer basic facilities such as vault toilets, tables, and fire rings, but several have limited water, no trash service, or short trailer limits. Under the new [Apache-Sitgreaves Federal Register notice](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/19/2026-21242/proposed-recreation-fee-sites), each campsite would cost $15 per night. An extra vehicle would add another $5. The larger Arizona proposal also includes $5 vehicle charges at boating, fishing, and day-use locations. Forest officials told [KJZZ](https://www.kjzz.org/fronteras-desk/2026-08-10/recreation-fee-changes-proposed-for-apache-sitgreaves-national-forests) that more than 75% of the forest’s recreation sites would remain free. Comments are being accepted through the end of October. ## Three Montana campgrounds would go from $0 to $10 or $15 Montana’s Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is considering new charges at three campgrounds. Mill Falls would cost $10 per night. Pine Grove and Falls Creek would each cost $15 per night. A [local proposal table sourced to the Forest Service](https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2026/09/1-week-left-to-comment-proposed-changes-to-recreation-fees-on-helena-lewis-and-clark-national-forest/) lists the current charge at all three as $0. The [October 19 federal notice](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/19/2026-21241/proposed-recreation-fee-sites) also proposes charging $55 per night for two rental cabins. Those cabins are separate from the 21 camping locations counted here. ## Three more free campgrounds near Tahoe could begin charging $20 Two different Forest Service units are considering new campground fees around the Tahoe region. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit wants to charge $20 per night at Luther Pass Overflow Campground and Watson Lake Campground. Both currently charge $0, according to a [site-by-site table published when the proposal opened for comments](https://southtahoenow.com/08/01/2026/comment-period-opens-as-forest-service-proposes-some-rate-changes-at-lake-tahoe-including-kiva-beach-and-taylor-creek). The official [Lake Tahoe Basin notice](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/19/2026-21243/proposed-recreation-fee-sites) also includes new parking and day-use charges at several beaches, trailheads and recreation sites. Those day-use locations are not included in the 21-campground total. Nearby Tahoe National Forest has filed a separate proposal for Grouse Ridge Campground. The nine-site campground is currently free and includes tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and a vault toilet. Five sites can accommodate small trailers, but remote access and limited site sizes make it a poor fit for larger RVs. The [Tahoe National Forest notice](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/19/2026-21249/proposed-recreation-fee-site) calls Grouse Ridge a new recreation fee site and proposes a $20 nightly charge. ## Five California camping locations could begin charging $26 Eldorado National Forest has proposed the highest standard campsite price in this group. The following locations would each cost $26 per night: - Airport Flat Campground - Azalea Cove Campground - Camino Cove Campground - Cole Creek Camping Area - Lone Rock Campground Double sites at Camino Cove would cost $46. The Forest Service’s [2025 Eldorado fee schedule](https://www.fs.usda.gov/media/251072) lists Airport Flat, Azalea Cove, and Lone Rock as having no overnight fee. Camino Cove has no nightly price listed, and Cole Creek has no documented current overnight charge. The same schedule says that overnight permits for the Mokelumne Wilderness are currently free. Several of these locations will not work for a conventional RV trip. Azalea Cove and Lone Rock are reached by foot, bicycle, or boat. Others are primitive or have limited access. They still count as established Forest Service camping locations, but they aren't developed RV campgrounds with hookups or paved sites. The [Eldorado National Forest notice](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/19/2026-21251/proposed-recreation-fee-sites) describes the campground charges as new fees intended to support operations, maintenance, and improvements. ## Carson Pass would get a separate per-person camping fee Eldorado’s plan also includes a different type of charge for overnight camping in the Mokelumne Carson Pass Management Area. The current overnight permit is free, although some trailheads already charge $5 for parking. Under the proposal, every overnight camper would pay $10 per night during the first four years. The price would rise to $15 per person per night in year five. A family of four would pay $40 for one night at the initial rate. That same night would cost $60 beginning in year five. ## Reservations could bring another charge Each federal notice says reservations could be offered through Recreation.gov. When someone uses that platform, an $8 transaction fee would be added to the reservation. The $8 charge would apply per reservation rather than per night. The notices do not say that every campsite will require an online reservation, so it should not be automatically added when comparing the proposed nightly prices. ## The new charges are still proposals Publishing the notices starts a required waiting period. The fees could take effect no earlier than six months after the October 19 publication date, placing the earliest possible start on April 19, 2027. Approval is not automatic at the end of those six months. A Recreation Resource Advisory Committee must review the proposals before the Forest Service makes its final decisions. California’s earlier public-comment window closed in late September. Montana’s ended September 7. Apache-Sitgreaves is still accepting comments through the end of October. The [Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest proposal page](https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5884dc4220904384a6fbdb7c3b32973c) contains the California contact information and site-specific proposal materials. At least 80% of the money collected would remain with the forest where it was paid. The agency says the revenue would support maintenance, recreation services, and improvements at the affected locations. For now, the existing fee policies remain in place. Campers planning for the 2027 season will need to watch for final decisions from each forest before assuming these locations will remain free.