Death Valley National Park Proposes Fee Changes at Furnace Creek Campground

Date: April 17, 2013

Death Valley National Park (Park) is seeking public comments regarding pricing for nineteen improved campsites and the establishment of three new group sites in the Furnace Creek Campground.

Improvements in the Furnace Creek Campground include the installation of full hook-up capacity at nineteen campsites, replacement of the entire water and sewer system, a new bathroom in the group site areas, rehabilitation of the current bathrooms, repair of flood damaged areas in the tent walk-in loop, development of three new group sites, and a new check-in kiosk. The proposed fee increase for the full hook-up sites is an attempt to recover the cost of electricity.The nineteen rehabilitated sites now include water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups.The proposed pricing is $30.00 per night for sites offering full hook-ups.The current price for RV and Tent campsites without full-hook-ups is $18.00 per night and would remain the same price under this proposal.

Nightly campground fees are collected under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Public Law 108-447 (118 Stat. 2809), enacted by Congress as part of the 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.This legislation has allowed the National Park Service to provide on-the-ground improvements to visitors at recreation sites across the nation.Death Valley National Park started the rehabilitation of Furnace Creek Campground in February 2012 and will near completion at the end of this summer.

Prior to making this price change proposal, the National Park Service reviewed the pricing of five surrounding campgrounds and the amenities they each include, discounts offered and any additional fees.

REGIONAL FULL HOOKUP SITES

Campground Name & Location	Price	Amenities	Discount/Additional Info
Furnace Creek Campground Death Valley, CA	Proposed $30.00	Full Hook-ups Table Fire Ring	$9 discount for Senior Access Pass Holders
Death Valley Inn & RV Park Beatty, NV	$35.00	Full Hook-ups Group Fire Ring Pool & Shower Wi-Fi	Additional Fee for Laundry Additional Fee for Propane
Ortega Concessions Stovepipe Wells, CA	$31.00	Full Hook-ups Pool & Shower	$15.50 discount for Senior/Access Pass Holders
Xanterra Furnace Creek Ranch Death Valley, CA	$32.00	Full Hook-ups Pool & Shower Paved Pad
Panamint Springs Resort Panamint Valley, CA	$30.00	Full Hook-ups Table Grill Shower	AARP/AAA 10% discount Pets $5.00 ea Tent $2.50 on same site
Tecopa Hot Springs and Pools Tecopa, CA	$19.00	Electricity Dump Station Hot Tubs Showers	More than 2 people $2.00 ea Extra Vehicle $5.00 No Drinking Water

Three newly established group sites with parking for two vehicles include a fire ring and table for each site.The proposed fee is $25.00 per a night for 9-15 campers per site. Prior to making this price change proposal, the National Park Service reviewed the pricing of other campground group sites.

GROUP SITES

Campground Name & Location	Price	Number of Campers
Furnace Creek Campground Death Valley, CA	Proposed $25.00	9-15
Furnace Creek Campground Death Valley, CA	$52.00 (current group campsite)	9-40
Dorst Creek Campground Sequoia National Park, CA	$40.00	12-25
Cottonwood Campground Joshua Tree National Park, CA	$30.00	17-25

Proposed fees would begin October 15, 2013.Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

The National Park Service is seeking input from the public and interested groups from now until May 17, 2013.A final decision will be made based on that input, as well as budgetary concerns and comparisons with similar sites elsewhere.Please post your comments on the National Park Service Park Planning page at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FCCG_Fee_Changes, email [e-mail], or comment by mail to: Attn Proposed Fee Changes, Death Valley National Park, PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328.

Contact Traci Kolc at 760-786-3249 or email e-mail us with any additional questions.We appreciate your input to help determine any fee changes in Death Valley National Park.

-NPS-