Want to camp, hike or boat near Boise? Fees may increase at dozens of sites
You could pay more to stay at certain campsites and cabins, use boat ramps or hike a popular trail outside Boise if a proposed U.S. Forest Service fee hike is approved.
The Boise National Forest, which sprawls over 2.6 million acres, Monday announced the proposal to increase or implement fees at 66 campgrounds, cabins, boat launches and other federally managed sites. In a news release, Forest Supervisor Brant Petersen said, if approved, it would be the first price change the forest has had in 26 years.
“The forest has seen a substantial increase in recreational use as the area’s population has grown and, with that, the need for upkeep and improving our developed recreation sites,” Petersen said.
The proposal includes a $5 fee for Stack Rock Trail, an 11-mile route that begins at a Forest Service trailhead off Bogus Basin Road. The trail has become popular for hiking and snowshoeing since the trailhead was completed in 2019.
It would be the first time hikers have to pay to use a Ridge to Rivers trail.
Like the Stack Rock Trail, the rest of the Boise National Forest has had a boom in visitation as Boise grows. That was further spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the fee proposals are relatively minor — prices at some campgrounds could go from $15 to $20, or day-use sites could implement a $5 fee. Others are steeper: Some cabin and group campground fees could jump by an additional $50 to $100. Officials said about 70% of forest resources will not require a fee.
The forest is taking public comments on the proposed increases until the end of the business day Sept. 4. After considering comments, a final version of the proposal will go to a citizen advisory committee, which will submit a recommendation to the Forest Service’s intermountain regional forester. Any approved changes would take effect next year.
Public comments can be submitted online, via email to SM.FS.boise_inbox@usda.gov or by mail or in person to the following address: Boise National Forest, Attn: Recreation Fees, 1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, ID 83709.
In a Facebook post announcing the proposal, forest officials included photos of recent improvements they said were funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, forest partners and other sources. They included new vault toilets and fire pits, fresh gravel and landscaping at campsites and new furnishings and exterior upgrades for cabins.
Here’s a full list of the proposed changes:
Mountain Home Ranger District
Big Trinity Cabin #1: Current fee: $30, proposed fee: $80
Big Trinity Cabin #2: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $60
Big Trinity Lake Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Deer Creek Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $20
Deer Creek Group Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $150
Deer Creek Day Use: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $5
Dog Creek Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Elk Creek Boat Ramp: Current fee: $5, proposed fee: $10
Elk Flat Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Elk Flat Group Campground: Current fee: $100, proposed fee: $200
Evans Creek Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
Ice Springs Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
Little Roaring River Lake Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $20
Shafer Butte Group Campground: Current fee: $50, proposed fee: $150
Shafer Butte Campground: Current fee: $10, proposed fee: $20
Spillway Campground: Current fee none, proposed fee: $20
Stack Rock Trail: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $5
Deer Creek Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $20
Deer Creek Group Site: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $150
Deer Creek Day Use: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $5
Idaho City Ranger District
Atlanta Cabin #1: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $100
Atlanta Cabin #2: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $100
Big Trinity Lake Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Bad Bear Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Barber Flat Cabin: Current fee: $40, proposed fee: $80
Beaver Creek Cabin: Current fee: $45, proposed fee: $80
Dear Park Cabin: Current fee: $35, proposed fee: $80
Edna Creek Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Graham Guard Station Cabin: Current fee: $35, proposed fee: $60
Grayback Group Campground: Current fee: $100, proposed fee: $250
Grayback Gulch Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Hayfork Group Campground: Current fee: $100, proposed fee: $150
Ten Mile Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Whoop-Um-Up Equestrian Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Lowman Ranger District
Bull Trout Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Elk Creek Guard Station Cabin: Current fee: $35, proposed fee: $60
Mountain View Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Pine Flats Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Bonneville Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Warm Springs Guard Dwelling Cabin: Current fee: $35, proposed fee: $80
Whitehawk Lookout Cabin: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $60
Emmett Ranger District
Banks Beach Picnic Area: Current fee: $3, proposed fee: $5
Banks River Access Boat Site: Current fee: $3, proposed fee: $5
Beehive Bend Boat Site: Current fee: $5, proposed fee: $5
Chief Parrish River Access Boat Site: Current fee: $3, proposed fee: $5
Confluence Boat Site: Current fee: $3, proposed fee: $5
Danskin Rest Area Boat Site: Current fee: $3, proposed fee: $5
Payette River Annual Pass Boat Site: Current fee: $20, proposed fee: $30
Cascade Ranger District
Amanita Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
French Creek Boat Docks Site: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $5
French Creek Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Golden Gate Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
Ice Hole Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
Johnson Creek GS Cabin: Current fee: $50, proposed fee: $100
Landmark Forester Cabin: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $80
Landmark Cabin-South: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $80
Landmark Cabin-West: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $80
Penn Basin Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
Picnic Point Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
Rainbow Point Boat Site: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $5
Rainbow Point Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Shoreline Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
South Fork Salmon River Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Stolle Meadows Guard Station Cabin: Current fee: $40, proposed fee: $80
Warm Lake Campground: Current fee: $15, proposed fee: $20
Yellow Pine Campground: Current fee: none, proposed fee: $10
