BHNF announces proposed "shoulder season" fees

The Black Hills National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at picnic sites, day-use areas and campgrounds during the “shoulder season”.

These times generally include the months of March to April and September to November, during which the Forest Service says usage has increased significantly over the past few years.

This, according to a press release, creates the need for “additional supplies, facility cleaning, toilet pumping and staff attention”.

The proposal would increase fees from $0 to $5 at some picnic sites and day-use areas and from $10 to $15 at some off-season campgrounds. The fees would become effective in the fall of 2025.

According to the press release, concessionaire Forest Recreation Management operates many of the recreation sites only during the summer season and charges a fee during that time. To keep certain facilities open during the shoulder seasons, the Forest Service proposes a reduced fee.

“The revenue collected during the shoulder seasons would go back to the Forest and be used to improve recreation sites and keep some facilities open with toilet cleaning and trash collection,” said Shawn Cochran, Forest Supervisor.

Locally, the proposal would see fees for a single site at the Bearlodge Campground, Cook Lake Campground and Sundance Horse Camp increase from $10 to $15 during the shoulder seasons.

The Cook Lake picnic site would see an increased day fee during the shoulder season from $0 to $5 per vehicle. The concessionaire is currently charging a fee at this site during the primary seasons and the Forest Service is proposing to continue with a reduced fee into the shoulder season.

The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board and Wyoming Recreation Action Team will review the fee changes. The public may also comment until November 29.

Comments can be sent to Black Hills National Forest, Attention: Bradley Block – Recreation Program Manager, 1019 N 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730 or [email protected]. Comments can also be provided online at https://arcg.is/qyij80 or orally in person at the Black Hills National Forest to Bradley Block during normal business hours or by calling 605-673-9200.