BLM Arizona Recreation Fee Proposals
Arizona Strip Field Office, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Kingman Field Office, Lake Havasu Field Office, Phoenix District
Overview
Prized by visitors, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands offer unique recreation opportunities. These recreational resources provide critical economic support and quality of life benefits to local communities and businesses, while also attracting visitors from across the country and abroad. Over the past five years, visitation to public lands in Arizona has increased from 4.9 million to 6.8 million. However, BLM’s budget per visitor has fallen despite rising visitation and use of aging facilities.
The BLM’s Recreation Program provides guidance to proactively respond to increasing visitation by diversifying recreation funding sources and carefully considering recreation demand, program needs, and investment opportunities for current and future needs and enjoyment. BLM conducted a market analysis of current recreation fees statewide which revealed that fee rates were below local market prices. While fees have not increased in decades, the cost of operations and maintenance have climbed along with visitation.
The BLM sought public input on five recreation fee proposals , in the form of draft recreation business plans, for the following locations: Kingman Field Office, Lake Havasu Field Office, the Arizona Strip Field Office’s Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area, the Phoenix District’s Recreational Shooting Sites, and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument’s Paria Canyon/Coyote Buttes Special Management Area and White Pocket.
For a version of this video with audio descriptions, visit: https://youtu.be/M1teY2RyS5A
Background
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to collect recreation fees at sites and areas that provide certain amenities. The BLM also collects fees for the issuance of Special Recreation Permits as well as from the sale of Interagency Passes (America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass), site-specific or regional passes. These fees are reinvested directly back into the local recreation program to expand and improve recreational opportunities. Common expenditures of permit revenues include enhancing access, cleaning trash, maintaining recreational facilities, upgrading existing facilities to meet universal accessibility standards, permit administration, and protecting nearby natural and cultural resources from recreational impacts.
BLM requires each recreation fee site or area to complete a business plan which analyzes and explains how fees are consistent with criteria set forth in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Business plans assist in determining appropriate fee rates, outline the cost of administering fee sites, and identify priorities for future expenditures. A primary purpose of the business plan is to serve as public notification of the objectives for use of recreation fee revenues and to provide the public an opportunity to comment on these objectives before a fee site is designated, or when existing site fees are adjusted.
Recreation Fee Proposals
The public comment period for the draft recreation business plans ended on June 26, 2024. The map below highlights each recreation site that proposed a fee modification or new fee. Click on each recreation site for more information.
Map tips
- Click a recreation site photo or the corresponding green drop-pin on the map
- Zoom out or return to the main extent to view the recreation sites in relation to BLM managed lands, National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, and Wilderness
- Click the (x) under a recreation site description to return to the main extent
- Click the (+) and (-) buttons in the map to zoom in and out
- Click and drag on the map to pan around
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area
Coyote Buttes North
Coyote Buttes South
Paria Canyon
White Pocket
Burro Creek Campground
Wild Cow Springs Campground
Windy Point Campground
Lake Havasu Shoreline Sites
Bullfrog Day Use Area
Crossroads Campground
Proposed Quail Hollow Campground
Phoenix District Office Recreational Shooting Sports Sites
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area
The 135-acre Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located adjacent to the southeastern side of the Cedar Pocket Road interchange of Interstate 15 (I-15) near milepost 18 in Arizona, approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada. This location, adjacent to a remote section of I-15 without services, makes VRCRA a very attractive stop over spot for travellers passing through the area. The rugged terrain of the wilderness areas adjacent to the Virgin River, which is the main attraction in the area, are within walking distance of the 109-site campground and day use areas.
Proposed Fee Changes: Day Use - Standard Amenity: Current= $2*; Proposed= $6 Overnight Camping (Tent, RV) - Expanded Amenity: Current= $8*; Proposed= $22 Group Overnight Camping - Expanded Amenity: Current= n/a; Proposed= $42 *Last increased in 1998
Contact for more information:
at lmchrist@blm.gov and rbeckstrand@blm.gov
Coyote Buttes North
Coyote Buttes North is an international destination. The main attraction within Coyote Buttes North is “The Wave”, an area made up of lithified, wind-eroded, sandstone that forms an awe-inspiring, swirling, mass of stunning color. In recent years, interest and demand for access has grown exponentially due to trending social media posts featuring high resolution photos of The Wave, naming the hike one of the top 10 places to visit in the United States.
Proposed Fee Change: Per person/dog per day: Current= $7*; Proposed= $20 *Last increased in 2008
Contact for more information:
Coyote Buttes South
Coyote Buttes South is simply the southern extension of the same geologic formations found in the north unit with features as unique as The Wave; however, the area is less popular than Coyote Buttes North because vehicle access is more difficult. Traveling to Coyote Buttes South requires a four-wheel drive vehicle to navigate deep sand that is prevalent throughout the area. Despite the challenging terrain and difficult access, more people are hiring guides and finding ways to visit Coyote Buttes South so they may explore and discover unique and stunning formations similar to those found in the north unit, if they were unable to obtain a permit to The Wave.
Proposed Fee Change: Per person/dog per day: Current= $5*; Proposed= $10 *Last increased in 2008
Contact for more information:
Paria Canyon
Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, and Wire Pass are widely recognized as one of the longest and most stunning slot canyon combinations in the world. Accessed from the three aforementioned trailheads within the Paria Canyon/Coyote Buttes Special Management Area and a fourth trailhead (the White House trailhead in BLM Utah), these narrow canyons wind their way and cut down through seven geologic layers, eventually ending at the Colorado River just below Glen Canyon Dam. The longest route through the entire system is 47 miles and takes the average backpacker four days to complete.
Proposed Fee Changes: Overnight per person/dog per day: Current= $5*; Proposed= $10 Day use per person/dog per day: Current= $6*; Proposed= $10 *Last increased in 2008
Contact for more information:
White Pocket
While White Pocket has no developed trails, it has become increasingly popular. It provides visitors with a similar awe-inspiring experience in exploring and discovering features as phenomenal as Coyote Buttes, due to the mind-boggling geologic features found across the area and formed naturally, over 190 million years. Visitors explore these exceptional slickrock, windswept layers of orange, yellow, and white formations that were created over time by mineral deposits and shaped by the elements.
Proposed Fee Change: Per person/per day: Current= n/a; Proposed= $10
Contact for more information:
Burro Creek Campground
Burro Creek Campground is situated along Burro Creek within a very scenic Sonoran Desert canyon. Burro Creek, with its deep blue pools and tree-lined banks, is located within a desert setting of saguaro-studded hills and colorful cliffs. The recreation site encompasses a campground, a group campsite, a picnic area with a Watchable Wildlife Exhibit, and an interpretive Desert Garden. The site has a long history of use involving wintertime camping and summertime swimming, and is a favorite rest stop for travelers on nearby U.S. Highway 93 (future Interstate 11 corridor). Popular activities in the area are camping, picnicking, swimming, rock collecting, birdwatching, hunting, and driving off-highway vehicles.
Proposed Fee Changes: Individual Site: Current= $14 per night*, Proposed= $28 per night Group Site: Current= $50 per night*, Proposed= $80 per night RV Dump Station Fee=$10*, Proposed= $15 per RV (or free with the purchase of an overnight camping site permit) *Last increased in 2009
Contact for more information:
Wild Cow Springs Campground
Wild Cow Springs Campground is situated in a grove of oak and mature ponderosa pines within the Hualapai Mountains. Rising high above the surrounding desert, the mountain range is a cool green island surrounded by the lower deserts. The site is especially attractive during the summer months, with temperatures here averaging 20° F cooler than the nearby desert valleys located 3,000-4,000 feet below. The site appeals to visitors seeking a quiet, wooded refuge and features a snow-fed seasonal stream, 16 individual camping/picnicking sites (including one accessible site), a group site, and a short hiking trail. Each site is provided with a picnic table and campfire grill. Three restroom facilities are centrally located in the campground, with nearby environmental education bulletin boards. Bear-proof garbage cans are centrally located within the recreation site. Popular activities in the area are picnicking, camping, and driving off-highway vehicles (OHVs) for pleasure and hunting.
Proposed Fee Changes: Individual Site: Current= $8 per night*; Proposed= $20 per night Group Site: Current= $20 per night*; Proposed= $30 per night *Last increased in 2009
Contact for more information:
Windy Point Campground
Windy Point Campground is situated along the crest of the Cerbat Mountains. The site is located in picturesque woodland consisting of pinyon pine and juniper with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and distant mountain ranges. Cherum Peak Trail, a 2.5-mile trail, and Packsaddle Recreation Site are located within two miles of Windy Point Campground. The recreation site offers eight campsites (including one accessible site), each containing picnic tables and campfire grills. Trash cans and a restroom facility are centrally located within the site. A self-service fee station is located at the entrance to the area. Popular activities in the area are picnicking, camping, motorized touring, hiking and hunting.
Proposed Fee Change: Individual Site: Current= $8 per night*; Proposed= $20 per night *Last increased in 2009
Contact for more information:
Lake Havasu Shoreline Sites
The Lake Havasu Field Office manages 73 designated campsites along 20 miles of Arizona shoreline on Lake Havasu within the Lake Havasu Special Recreation Management Area. The Shoreline Sites are accessible only by boat or very limited hiking trails. The site amenities include restrooms, cooking grills, picnic tables, shade awnings, litter and trash pickup services, beaches, and maintained campsites. Based on the needs of each location, retaining walls, pathways, steps and safety handrails are constructed at the sites. Each site has different terrain, vistas, beaches, trails, and opportunities to interface with other campsites. Also, within the Lake Havasu SRMA is the Takeoff Point Day Use Site, which includes a free boat launch.
Proposed Fee Changes: Day use: Current= $10*; Proposed= $20 Overnight without electricity: Current= $10*; Proposed= $20 Annual Pass: Current= $100**; Proposed= $200 *Last increased in 2002 **Last increased in 2006
Contact for more information:
Bullfrog Day Use Area
Bullfrog Day Use Area is situated along the California side of the lower Colorado River within the Parker Strip Recreation Area. This site provides river access, a swimming beach, shaded picnic areas, open green recreation space, and vault toilets. Visitors enjoy this river front site year-round. This day-use area is best for enjoying the beautiful weather in the winter and river adventures during the summer.
Proposed Fee Change: Day Use: Current= $5*; Proposed= $10 *Last increased in 2006
Contact for more information:
Crossroads Campground
The Crossroads Campground is located near the Rock House Visitor Center and Boat Launch and offers 26 individual campsites for overnight camping without electrical hookups. This campground provides river front views and beach access, along with nearby opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and off-roading. This campground offers one accessible campsite. All campsites provide a picnic table and grill. There is one vault toilet and a Campground Host site. No potable water is available. At this site, the river runs through a backdrop of steep rocky terrain, and wind shaped sand dunes. The area is teeming with wildlife, especially fish, migratory birds and small mammals.
Proposed Fee Change: Individual sites without electrical hookups: Current= $5*; Proposed= $20 Individual sites with electrical hookups: Current= amenity does not currently exist; Proposed= $40 *Last increased in 2002
Contact for more information:
Proposed Quail Hollow Campground
Currently this is a free day use area. The existing Quail Hollow Day Use area features developed parking, permanent toilet facility, trash receptacles, interpretive kiosk, picnic tables, boat-in access beaches, shade ramadas, and BBQ grills. Future amenities include tent or trailer spaces and toilet facilities. BLM will evaluate through the NEPA process the construction of this proposed campground. Should a decision be made to authorize construction of this proposed campground and construction is completed, the BLM proposes to charge the following fees:
Proposed Fees: Individual sites without electrical hookups: Current= amenity does not currently exist; Proposed= $20 Individual sites with electrical hookups: Current= amenity does not currently exist; Proposed= $40
Contact for more information:
Phoenix District Office Recreational Shooting Sports Sites
There are four operational facilities with four more in the planning and development phase. The four existing facilities received an estimated visitation of 70,000 within the first year of operation. These facilities offer a wide range of recreational target shooting activities including pistol, long-range rifle, shotgun, archery and compressed air rifle. The first four facilities opened between 2022 and 2023 with the four remaining scheduled to be constructed by 2026.
Existing Recreational Shooting Sports Sites: Church Camp Box Canyon Saddleback Mountain Baldy Mountain
Planned Recreational Shooting Sports Sites - Not Yet Built: Narramore Road Recreation Area Table Mesa Shooting Sports Facility Table Mesa Southwest Shooting Sport Facility Table Mesa Pipeline Range
Proposed Fee for Use at Any Site: Day Permit: Current= free; Proposed= $10 Monthly Permit: Current= free; Proposed= $25 Annual Permit: Current= free; Proposed= $80 Age 16 and under free accompanied by an adult permit holder
Contact for more information: