Coconino NF proposes DOUBLING visitor fees - adding new fee locations

[chumley]

Public comment on the proposed fee changes are open until 9/5/25. See info in the link here:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/re ... ation-fees

NEW fees proposed visit Knoll Lake and CC Cragin Reservoir: $10/day; $30/week; $60/year.
INCREASED fees proposed to visit Fossil Creek: $31 (currently $6)
INCREASED fees proposed for numerous Sedona area sites and trailheads: $10/30/60 (currently 5/15/20)
INCREASED fees proposed to visit Lava River Cave: $10/30/60 (currently 5/15/20)

America the Beautiful/Interagency passes are valid in place of existing and proposed fees.

The site does not explain the relationship between the proposed fee schedule and the Red Rock Pass, though it appears that many of the Sedona-area sites are currently covered under the Red Rock Pass, which is not mentioned as a candidate for increased fees (currently $5/15/20). Logic dictates that the RRP would also double to match the fees charged at the sites it is valid for.

HOW TO COMMENT
The public is invited to comment on the proposed recreation fee changes by close of business on Sept. 5, 2025.

Comment Online -- The instructions for doing this are anti-intuitive. Good luck!

Email Comments: comments-southwestern-coconino@usda.gov

Additionally, interested parties can:
• Comment in person at the Coconino National Forest to Brian Poturalski during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• Comment by phone at 928-527-3474 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes

Once public involvement is complete, these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by the Bureau of Land Management Resource 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.

[big_load]

It's disturbing that they didn't outline how the proposed fees interact with the Red Rock Pass

[chumley]

@big_load
Well, if there’s no change to the RRP then it effectively becomes a half-price discount card! Which is why I assume it will also increase. But, yes, it would be nice if it mentioned that.

More disturbing to me is that it doesn’t make any attempt to explain what specific benefits forest visitors will experience from the new revenue.

[big_load]

More disturbing to me is that it doesn’t make any attempt to explain what specific benefits forest visitors will experience from the new revenue.

More vigorous parking enforcement, probably including more towing company contracts.

[Jim]

@big_load
It is not named, but if you examine the fees for trailheads, you will see the fees increase. A red rock pass makes no sense to buy. Buy an inter-agency yearly pass, a Park Pass, which is still $80, I think. $20 if over 62.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passe ... ful-passes

From what I can see, those are the prices I remember from 2008. $5 from 2008 is like $1 today, maybe less in some cases. I bought a $20 annual Red Rock pass around then. No idea why, maybe I didn't have a Park Pass or want one as the Park Pass was $80 in 2008. As far as the fee increase, this seems to be adjusting for inflation. Park Pass has not changed in 20+ years. Congress must have to do that. It could still be $20 in 50 years.

[ddgrunning]

There is currently a cost to visit the Lava River Cave? I can’t find any information on the fs website suggesting that there is currently a fee.

[chumley]

@ddgrunning Nice catch. I see that adding the $5 fee there was proposed in 2022. I don't know if it was approved and just not yet implemented? If so, this would just assure that when implemented it would match the increased fees elsewhere. If it wasn't approved in 2022, I figure it should be listed with the new fees being proposed such as Cragin and Knoll Lake.

[hikeaz]

The winner in these fees is Boos, Allen, Hamilton, a major defense contractor and Canadian Corporation, who reap the vast reward$ from fees. Including the 'pay-for-a-spot-in-the-lottery' ones, their real money-maker. Of course a portion is returned to the politicians who keep awarding them the contracts. And round-and-round we go with these NGO's.