Nevada City, Calif., July 31, 2026—Tahoe National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at various recreation sites on the forest.
Not all recreation sites on the forest require a fee. Including the sites in this proposal, nearly 50% of sites on the forest would still not require a recreation fee. The forest will continue to honor all nationally recognized fee-free days for day use sites.
The proposed fees by site are listed in the below tables.
| Site Name | Site Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Meadows | Boating Site | Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle | Day Fee: $8 rate per vehicle |
| Mcguire | Boating Site | Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle | Day Fee: $8 rate per vehicle |
| Manzanita | Picnic Site | Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle | Day Fee: $8 rate per vehicle |
| Sugar Pine | Boating Site | Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle | Day Fee: $8 rate per vehicle |
| Ahart | Campground | Single Site Fee: $20 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $25 rate per group |
| Cal Ida | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Carlton | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Chapman Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Cold Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $16 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $20 rate per group |
| Cottonwood | Campground | Single Site Fee: $20 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Dark Day | Campground | Single Site Fee: $22 rate per group Double Site Fee: $44 rate per group Triple Site Fee: $66 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group Double Site Fee: $60 rate per group Triple Site Fee: $80 rate per group |
| Fiddle Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| French Meadows | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Garden Point Boating | Campground | Single Site Fee: $22 rate per group Double Site Fee: $44 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $25 rate per group Double Site Fee: $60 rate per group |
| Giant Gap | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group Double Site Fee: $44 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group Double Site Fee: $60 rate per group |
| Grouse Ridge | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $20 rate per group |
| Indian Springs | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Indian Valley | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Lewis | Campground | Single Site Fee: $20 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Loganville | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Madrone Cove | Campground | Single Site Fee: $22 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $25 rate per group |
| Poppy | Campground | Single Site Fee: $18 | Single Site Fee: $25 rate per group |
| Skillman | Horse Camp | Single Site Fee: $18 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $25 rate per group |
| Rocky Rest | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Schoolhouse | Campground | Single Site Fee: $22 rate per group Double Site Fee: $44 rate per group Triple Site Fee: $72 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group Double Site Fee: $60 rate per group Triple Site Fee: $80 rate per group |
| Shirttail Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group Double Site Fee: $48 rate per group Triple Site Fee: $72 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group Double Site Fee: $60 rate per group Triple Site Fee: $80 rate per group |
| Sierra | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Union Flat | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| White Cloud | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Wild Plum | Campground | Single Site Fee: $24 rate per group | Single Site Fee: $30 rate per group |
| Coyote | Group Campground | Night Fee: $143 rate per group size: 50 Night Fee: $82 rate per group size: 25 | Night Fee: $160 rate per group size: 50 Night Fee: $99 rate per group size: 25 |
| Gates | Group Campground | Night Fee: $165 rate per group size: 75 Night Fee: $82 rate per group size: 25 | Night Fee: $190 rate per group size: 75 Night Fee: $99 rate per group size: 25 |
| Hornswoggle | Group Campground | Night Fee: $155 rate per group size: 50 Night Fee: $88 rate per group size: 25 | Night Fee: $175 rate per group size: 50 Night Fee: $99 rate per group size: 25 |
Campgrounds and Group Campgrounds are reservable on www.recreation.gov for an additional $8.00 per reservation.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain at least 80% of the money collected at recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Revenue collected through recreation fees helps the forest improve infrastructure at recreation sites and funds additional recreation staff during the season of operation. Planned recreation fee-funded projects include signage replacement, installation of bear proof food lockers, water system repairs, restroom upgrades and conservation education programs. Recreation fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed recreation fee changes. The comment period is set to end by close of business on September 29, 2026. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Tahoe National Forest, Attention: Mary Sullivan, 631 Coyote St., Nevada City, CA 95959 or by email at tahoe_nf_comments@usda.gov. Comments can also be provided online.
Oral comments must be provided in person at the Tahoe National Forest to Mary Sullivan during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.) or by calling 530-478-6298 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes. For more information, visit the Tahoe National Forest website.
Once public involvement is complete, these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by an advisory committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreational interests to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable recreation fees. The committee will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.