JACKSON, Wyo. — The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is proposing a new fee program in the Snake River Canyon and new, increased fees at sites on the Greys River District.
According to a press release from the BTNF, most river access points, day-use sites, overnight camping sites and other recreation sites on the BTNF are currently managed without user fees. Greys River District is now proposing price increases at 10 sites and new fees at two additional sites.
The BTNF cites increased forest land use as a reason that recreation fees are needed, to improve infrastructure and hire additional staff.
Any fee changes must be proposed and approved by a citizen’s advisory committee; Wyoming uses a Recreation Action Team (REACT), a group that represents a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
Public meetings will be held in Jackson and Alpine to garner feedback from river users. Exact location, dates and time will be announced closer to the public meetings.
The proposed fees by site are listed below:
Jackson Ranger District
- Snake River Canyon: Currently $0/season, $0/day but proposed $40/season, $3/day
Greys River Ranger District
- Cazier Guard Station: Currently $40/night, group size 8, but proposed $80/night, group size 8
- Cottonwood Lake Campground: Currently $10/night but proposed $20/night
- Cottonwood Lake Group Camp: Currently $35/night, group size 25, but proposed $45/night, groups size 25
- Cottonwood Lake Picnic Area: Currently $25/day, group size 25, but proposed $35/day, group size 25
- Deer Creek Guard Station: Currently $40/night, group size 6, but proposed $80/night, group size 6
- Forest Park Campground: Currently $10/night but proposed $20/night
- Lynx Creek Group Camp: Currently $0/night but proposed $100/night, group size 40
- Mccain Guard Station: Currently $30/night, group size 6, but proposed $80/night, group size 6
- Meadows Guard Station: Currently $40/night, group size 6, but proposed $80/night, group size 6
- Moose Flat Campground: Currently $10/night but proposed $20/night
- Murphy Creek Campground: Currently $7/night but proposed $20/night
- Swift Creek Campground: Currently $0/night but proposed $20/night
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes by the close of business on Sept. 1. Comments can be sent to:
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Attention: Fee Proposal Comments, 340 N. Cache, P.O. Box 1888, Jackson, Wyoming, 83001
Comments can also be sent via email to SM.FS.BTNFFeeProp@usda.gov or provided online here. Comment cards are available at the Jackson and Greys River Ranger District Offices during normal business hours.
Once public involvement is complete, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by REACT, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.
