Your Dollars At Work

Your fee dollars make a difference!

Protecting our natural and cultural heritage while providing a safe, enjoyable, and educational place to visit requires substantial funding. While your taxes offset the majority of costs to operate parks like Amistad National Recreation Area, they do not cover all the costs. As expenses to operate and maintain our parks rise every year, appropriated funding approved by Congress is unable to cover it all.

This shortfall is where your fees come into play and serve a crucial role in preserving these beautiful places. In 2004, Congress signed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) which allows the US Department of the Interior to implement an interagency Fee Program in three of its bureaus; the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The National Park Service has webpages dedicated to the overall fee program and how your fees help the NPS provide services.

While the entrance is free, Amistad National Recreation Area does charge fees for expanded ammenities (charges authorized by FLREA). The funds generated by charging these fees are used to accomplish projects that the park has been unable to fund through yearly Congressional appropriations. When you pay your fee here, you are directly contributing to programs you will most likely benefit from while visiting.

 

 

Cell phone battery low? Take advantage of free charging stations while enjoying a picnic in the shade or enjoy a scenic view of the lake while attending a park program or your private event (reservation required).

NPS Photo

Black Bear Amphitheater: 2023 ($148,232.62)

Featuring a gorgeous view of the lake, accessible seating, and brand-new shaded picnic tables with free charging stations, the amphitheater is the perfect location for events of all kinds.

The amphitheater at Amistad National Recreation Area once held public events to include Coffee with the Superintendent/Ranger, Ranger-led night sky talks, Junior Ranger events, and Birds of Prey outreach. However, due to low staffing levels and facility safety issues, this venue has not been used for some time. This project, funded by fee revenue from camping and boating within the park, replaced an outdated projection building and removed an old building that was used for screening purposes while opening up a scenic lake view for attendees. Safety features were updated to include repainting guard rails, patching crumbling concrete and masonry, replacing a masonry wall, and replacing electrical components. New features include solar benches with cell phone charging stations and new fire rings.

Amistad National Recreation Area looks forward to using this facility once again for various park events. Additionally, visitors can reserve the facility for private events by applying for a special use permit. The facility offers a 50-seat capacity, electricity, vault toilets, and water nearby. Our most popular campground, Governors Landing, is adjacent to Black Bear Amphitheater and is convenient for campers wishing to attend scheduled events.

 

Newly Remodeled Diablo East Comfort Station

NPS Photo

Diablo East Comfort Station: 2016 ($156,011.82)

Step into the improved Diablo East Comfort stations. The original restrooms have received modern updates and a new look.

The Diablo East Comfort Stations were constructed in the mid 1970s and had not received any major maintenance since. Diablo East Comfort Stations serve about 95% of the visitors to Amistad National Recreation Area. The restoration project included replacing flooring and installing wall tile. Privacy stall walls were replaced with new locking doors and vandal-proof partitions. New plumbing was ran throughout and new, energy-efficient fixtures were installed. The roof was replaced to meet code, as were the load-bearing beams and portions of the exterior. In addition, the rehabilitated restroom is now ADA accessible.