By Heidi Schewel, Public Affairs Specialist
Standard amenity fees are changing on Coronado National Forest. Two of the geographic units (ranger districts) began using the new fee structure in early December.
The Santa Catalina (Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon) and Safford (Mt. Graham) Ranger Districts are using the new fee structure. Kiosks and signage have been installed in recreation sites announcing the fee increases. The other three ranger districts (Douglas, Nogales and Sierra Vista) plan to implement fee changes in late January. The new fee for Annual Passes went into effect December 9, 2019.
As part of the Restructuring Developed Recreation initiative to increase program sustainability, a draft fee proposal was developed by the Forest and shared extensively with the public in 2017 and 2018. A majority of those contacted supported the proposal. Based on public input the Forest reviewed issues and concerns and adjusted the proposal further. The proposal was approved by the Recreation Resources Advisory Committee in December 2018.
Changes to the fee system are as follows:
| Previous Fees | Approved Fees | |
| Day Use | $5/day
$10/week |
$8/day
$10/week |
| Camping | $10 | 2 tiers:15/$20 (see below) |
| Group Sites | Varied | $50, plus $10 per vehicle |
| Annual Pass | $20 | $40 |
| Number of Fee Sites | 78 | 98 (20 new sites,) |
Changes do not affect cabins or campgrounds operated by concessionaires.
$20/night campgrounds (high use): Arcadia, Bog Springs, Cochise Stronghold, General Hitchcock, Gordon Hirabayashi, Idlewilde, Lakeview, Molino Basin, Riggs Flat, Soldier creek, Stewart, and Sunny Flat.
$15/night all other campgrounds (lower use): Camp Rucker, Columbine Corrals, Cunningham, Herb Martyr, Hospital Flat, Noon Creek, Peppersauce, Ramsey Vista, Reef Townsite, Rustler Park, Shannon, Stockton Pass, Sycamore, and White Rock.
Approved new fee sites are listed in a news release which can be found at https://go.usa.gov/xUyCb .
Funding used from fee collection will be utilized to maintain developed recreation sites, reduce the operating deficit for the sites, and provide the quality of experiences visitors to the forest have come to expect.
