The Angeles National Forest is proposing to charge new and increased fees at eleven campgrounds next year.
A media release issued by the Angeles National Forest states that, thanks to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) that was passed by Congress in 2004, the U.S. Forest Service is allowed to retain funds collected at certain recreational sites and use them locally.
The additional funding would help the forest improve infrastructure, hire new staff and operate, maintain and improve their existing facilities, officials say.
“The collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations,” the forest service said.
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ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, CA – DECEMBER 13: In an aerial view, cloudless weather at sunrise in the snow-covered San Gabriel Mountains is seen as a massive storm leaves California to spread across the nation on December 13, 2022 in the Angeles National Forest, near Los Angeles, California. The storm system, which brought heavy snow and winds up to 169 miles per hour in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is predicted to cause blizzards in the northern states, severe weather in the South and a noreaster on the East coast. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) -
Angeles National Forest , CA – December 01: Clouds hover over trees at the summit of Mt. Baldy Ski Resort in Angeles National Forest on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda/MediaNews Group/The Press-Enterprise via Getty Images)
The proposed fee increases can be viewed in the table below:
| Proposed site | Current single site fee | Proposed single site fee |
| Oak Flat Campground | $5 | $20 |
| Sycamore Flat Campground | $5 | $20 |
| South Fork Campground | $5 | $20 |
| Monte Cristo Campground | $12 | $20 |
| Manker Flat Campground | $12 | $20 |
| Lightning Point Group Campground | none currently required | Night fees: $100 rate per 45-person group (1 site) $80 rate per 36-person group (4 sites) |
| Horse Flats Campground | $12 | $20 |
| Crystal Lake Campground | $12 | $20 |
| Coldbrook Campground | $12 | $20 |
| Chilao Campgrounds | $12 | $20 |
| Buckhorn Campground | $12 | $20 |
Under REA, any fee changes must be proposed and approved by a resource advisory committee made up of local community members. That committee will help ensure that the fees are “reasonable and publicly acceptable,” officials said.
Once public involvement is complete, the resource advisory committee will submit their recommendation to the regional forester for a final decision.
There are several ways to comment on the proposed fee hikes, including:
- Via mail: Send to Angeles National Forest ATTN: Jeremey Sugden, 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, California, 91006
- Via email: Send to jeremeysugden@usda.gov
- Via an online map: Click this link.
If approved, the fee increases would be implemented in 2025, though an exact date was not immediately disclosed.
More information about the proposed project can be found here.