Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Forest Service proposes charging fee at Whatcom County campground

Camping fees at Whatcom County’s Lower Sandy Campground — currently free — could increase to $20 per night for a single site under new recreation fees proposed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

The Forest Service is proposing to charge new fees at 20 developed recreation sites, according to a news release Thursday, Aug. 18. The changes would include adding several new day use sites to the popular Northwest Forest Pass program, though interagency passes also would be honored at these sites.

In addition to the proposed new charges, fees at two trailheads would be eliminated, according to the release.

The proposal would come as many day use, camping and other recreation sites are currently managed without user fees, the release states.

“National Forests provide recreational opportunities for all Americans,” Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Supervisor Jody Weil said in Thursday’s release. “The revenue generated by recreation fees helps protect natural resources and enhance recreation opportunities on our Forests.”

The proposed changes in the Mount Baker Ranger District, which covers the National Forest through Whatcom County and most of Skagit County, include charging:

▪ $20 per night for a single site at the Lower Sandy Campground in Whatcom County.

▪ $5 per day at the Sauk Mountain Trailhead in Skagit County.

▪ $5 per day at the Marblemount Boat Launch in Skagit County.

All three sites currently do not have fees, the release states.

In the Darrington Ranger District, the proposal includes charging $5 per day at the Beaver Lake Trailhead, Old Sauk Trailhead, White Check Boat Launch and White Chuck Overlook Picnic Area in Snohomish County.

In the Skykomish Ranger District, the proposal includes charging $5 per day at the Frog Mountain Trailhead, Cable Drop Boat Launch, Deception Falls Picnic Area and Jennifer Dunn Trailhead in Snohomish County.

And in the Snoqualmie Ranger District, the proposal includes charging $5 per day at the Camp Brown Trailhead, Dingford Creek Trailhead, Garfield Ledges and Pratt Bar Trailhead in King County and $5 per day at the Government Meadows Horse Camp and Lonesome Lake Day Use Area in Pierce County. Additionally, camping rates would increase from $5 to $20 per night for a single site and $75 per night for a group site at the Ranger Creek Campground and Evans Creek Campground in Pierce County.

The Federal Recreation Enhancement Act was passed in 2004 by Congress and allows the Forest Service to collect fees at certain recreation sites and use the funds locally to operate, maintain and improve the sites, according to the release.

“Fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations,” the release states, adding that 95% of revenue collected from recreation fees remains with the forests to operate, maintain and improve facilities.

The proposed fee increases still must be approved by a citizen’s advisory committee, according to the Federal Recreation Enhancement Act, and the public is invited to comment. Comments must be sent by the close of business on Oct. 21, 2022 by:

Email: sm.fs.mbsfeecomm@usda.gov

Mail: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Forest Service, Attention: Amy Linn, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 3A, Everett, WA 98201.

Online: usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=3aaab599927c4757a4433a727b600012

Phone: 503-307-7002.

In person: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday).

More information on the proposal is available at fs.usda.gov/mbs