Implementing a plan that received broad bi-partisan support in Congress, the Department of the Interior announced that America's public lands will soon receive much needed financial support from a test fee demonstration program. Through new and revised recreational user and entrance fees authorized by Congress, the Department hopes to raise additional funds to improve recreation services and help make infrastructure repairs to 106 selected public land sites. Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA) is one of the 47 National Park Service sites selected.

"These fees will be used to improve the visitor experience at the sites where they are collected and will be targeted for repairs and improvements that have been delayed because of budget shortfalls," explained (former) Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt.

Under the new fee program, eighty percent of the money collected in a park will go into specific improvements at that same site. For example, boaters at Amistad National Recreation Area may choose between purchasing a $4 boat permit valid for 24 hrs from the time of purchase, a $10 three day permit valid for 72 hrs from the time of purchase, or a more economical $40 annual boat permit valid for one full year from month of purchase. Visitors with valid Golden Age* or Golden Access* passports are entitled to a 50% discount. Eighty percent of the money collected will fund projects at Amistad NRA such as extending boat ramps, improvements to campgrounds and picnic areas, or construction of a fish weigh station to be used in conjunction with fishing tournaments. The other twenty percent will go to a fund to help parks that don't charge fees.

The motorized boat user fee went into effect at the end of June 1997.
Boating permits can be purchased at Amistad Visitor Information Center daily, or at automated teller machines located outside headquarters, Diablo East and Rough Canyon. There is also a self-pay station at Box Canyon ramp.

Amistad Visitor Information Center
Hwy 90 W - Across from 3 Rivers RV Park.
Open daily 8 Am-5 PM.
Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and Jan 1.

A fee of $4 per site per night for camping in National Park Service campgrounds went into effect on January 1, 1998. As of January 23, 2003 camping fees at Governors Landing Campground is $8 per night per site.
Fees can be paid at each campground. Golden Age/Access passport holders get 50% off.

A special use permit will be required when any fishing tournament exceeds ten (10) boats. The application for special use permits must be received by the park at least 72 hours before and no earlier than 12 months in advance of the tournament start date. A permit processing fee of $25.00 must be sent with the application. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and a permit or other response will be given by park within one week after receipt.

The new fee program reflects Congress' belief that while all Americans support their National Parks by paying taxes, those Americans that use their National Parks should pay a little more in the form of modest entrance fees or user fees. Americans support that idea - more than 78 % of Americans surveyed said they'd pay a little more to visit a park if the money was going directly into helping that park. This is consistent with what former Superintendent Laitner found by talking with Del Rio community leaders.

This is a program where everyone wins. The public gets better parks to enjoy--and a family of four will be able to spend a day boating on Lake Amistad for less than the price of one movie admission. Local land managers get the resources they need to make urgent repairs. The budget deficit continues to decline. And our children will inherit parks and public lands that are in better shape than when this generation undertook to strengthen them.

Thanks to the 80% of user fee money being kept within Amistad National Recreation Area we are better able to serve you!

In 1997, fee money was used to expand the parking area at Diablo East.

In 1998, your money went to the restoration of the the fish cleaning stations at Diablo East, Rough Canyon and Pecos areas in the park, and improvements to the Governors Landing swim beach, and amphitheater.

In 1999, new vault toilets were placed in the campgrounds and day use areas,  277 North Campground was rehabilitated with new shelters and cement slabs, and a water system was installed at Governors Landing Campground.

In 2001, the Box Canyon and Pecos Launch Ramp projects have been completed, and a few other projects are in the works.

This is just a small sample of how your user fee money is working for you!
Many more projects are in the planning stage and this page will be updated as they occur, in the meantime, thank you for your support!

*Golden Age passports are lifetime entrance passes available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 yrs.or older and can be purchased in person with proof of age from most National Park Service units, for a one time administrative fee of $10.

*Golden Access passports are lifetime entrance passes available "free of charge" to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are blind or permanently disabled. Passes must be obtained in person and proof of permanent disability or benefit eligibility is required.

National Parks Passes are sold at most National Park Service units. The pass is $50 and is intended for entrance only, and permits the passholder and everyone in his/her vehicle free entrance to all National Park Service units with an entrance fee. This pass does not allow for discounts on any camping/user fees.

Golden Eagle Upgrade can be purchased for an additional $15 and will permit passholder and all persons in his/her vehicle free entrance to all federal fee areas including: National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service , Bureau of Reclaimation, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Managementand U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The upgrade does not allow for discounts on any camping/user fees.