Helena, Mont., February 4, 2021 – Campgrounds on the Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs and Judith-Musselshell ranger districts have remained the same cost for the last 20-25 years. In order to continue a high level of service at these sites, fees will increase based on the amenities and facilities, capacity of the site, and location. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest will enact the new fees at select sites across the Jefferson Division starting in spring 2021.
“Ninety-five percent of the current fees collected at each of our developed recreation sites remain on the Forest and are reinvested into our local fee sites and facilities,” said Forest Recreation Program Manager Rory Glueckert. “When we say ‘ deferred maintenance’, ‘annual operations’ or ‘improvements’ to our sites, we mean tasks like cleaning and pumping the vault toilets, replacing picnic tables or campfire rings, replacing vault toilets and other infrastructure improvements, trash removal, and testing and monitoring potable water.” Glueckert reiterated that “recreation fees are critical to offering quality amenities and a positive recreational experience for the public at these sites.”
Many factors go into the determining the fee at Forest Service developed recreation site. These include: the number of amenities, such as potable water, RV hook-ups, maintained vault toilet facilities available; types of recreational opportunities near the site (e.g., boating access, hiking or ATV trails, horse facilities); and fees comparably charged at nearby recreation sites. Fees have been adjusted to provide pricing consistency across the forest. Below are the cabins and campgrounds on the Belt Creek – White Sulphur and Judith-Musselshell ranger districts that will be enacted this spring:
Rental Cabins |
Current Fee |
New Fee |
Difference in Fees |
Calf Creek Cabin |
40.00 |
55.00 |
15.00 |
Crystal Lake Cabin |
25.00 |
60.00 |
35.00 |
Dry Wolf Cabin |
30.00 |
55.00 |
25.00 |
Hunters Spring Cabin |
20.00 |
65.00 |
45.00 |
Kings Hill Cabin |
40.00 |
75.00 |
35.00 |
Campgrounds |
Current Fee |
New Fee |
Difference in Fees |
Aspen Campground |
10.00 |
15.00 |
5.00 |
Crystal Lake Campground |
10.00 |
20.00 |
10.00 |
Dry Wolf Campground |
5.00 |
15.00 |
10.00 |
Hay Canyon Campground |
— |
10.00 |
10.00* |
Kings Hill Campground |
10.00 |
15.00 |
5.00 |
Jumping Creek Campground |
10.00 |
15.00 |
5.00 |
Many Pines Campground |
10.00 |
15.00 |
5.00 |
Spring Creek Campground |
7.00 |
10.00 |
3.00 |
Thain Creek Campground |
5.00 |
10.00 |
5.00 |