Forest to increase fees at select developed recreation sites across the Belt Creek-White Sulphur and Judith-Musselshell ranger districts
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: February 12, 2021

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
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