Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Fee Increases Effective February 9

Date: February 4, 2015
Contact: Mary Jay, 509-754-7886

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows federal land management agencies to utilize recreation fee funds to provide recreation opportunities for visitors on many of America's public lands.

The current fees at Lake Roosevelt were established in 1995. In the fall of 2014, the National Park Service reviewed fee changes at many National Park sites, including Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Through public meetings, websites, and social media, public comments were gathered on proposed changes to park fees. Of those responding, 69% favored increasing fees, especially if the funds were used within the park. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is permitted to retain and utilize fees collected for improvements to visitor services. In recent years visitor fee dollars have been used to design and install wayside exhibits, improve and make accessible comfort stations, enlarge the Porcupine Bay and Kettle Falls boat launch parking lots, and to improve/repair and install new boat docks at launch sites. Planned projects include continued improvements to comfort stations, enlarging the parking lot at Fort Spokane boat launch, improving the Crescent Bay launch and day use areas, and improving the Fort Spokane water system.

With this in mind, effective Monday, February 9, 2015, National Park Service fees within Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will be adjusted to correspond with average rates of the surrounding areas, as follows: the camping fee from May 1 to September 30 will be $18 per night;group site use will be $55 per night for 1-25 people, $80 per night for 26-50 people, and $105 per night for 51-75 people;and the off-season camping rate (October 1 to April 30) will be $9. The weekly launch fee will be $8 and the reduced boat launch annual permit will be a single yearly fee of $45.Federal regulations permit discounts for holders of America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior and Access passes. This includes nightly camping and weekly boat launch permit fees, but regulations do not allow discounts on already discounted items such as yearly boat launch permits.

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area thanks everyone that participated in our public meetings and provided in comments via email, social media or
letter. Your involvement is greatly appreciated.