News Release

Public Comment Period for Proposed Fee Increases

Date: August 26, 2024
Contact: Maria Jay, 509-754-7889

The National Park Service (NPS) is accepting public comments for proposed fee increases throughout Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area from August 26, 2024 through September 26, 2024. One of the stipulations of charging user entrance and amenity fees, such as camping and boat launch fees, is that federal agencies are to charge fees commensurate with the local area, so as to not undercut the local markets. Camping fees at Lake Roosevelt have not been adjusted since 2021 and boat launch fees have not been adjusted since 2015 and are now lower than the average of the area around the park. The average campsite fee in the local area is approximately $36 while Lake Roosevelt is only $23. Boat launch fees range from $7 to $20 per day or up to $75 for an annual pass while NPS charges $8 for seven days or $45 for an annual pass. This represents a substantial discrepancy to the local economic market.

The proposed fees would take effect in the spring of 2025. Proposed camping fee changes include eliminating the winter season discount. Campground fees for individual campsites at Spring Canyon, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay, Hunters, Gifford, Kettle Falls, and Evans would raise to $30 year-round. All other campgrounds would remain at $23 all year round.

Group campsites would increase by $10. Campsites that can accommodate 1-25 people would increase from $55to $65 per night. Campsites large enough for 26-50 people would increase from $80 to $90 per night. Campsites that can accommodate 51-75 people would increase from $105 to $115 per night.

The launch fee would also increase  from $8 per week to $10 per week. The Annual Boat Launch permit would increase from $45 to $60, expiring on Dec 31^st of the year printed on the permit.

America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes will still allow for a 50% discount on individual campsites and the weekly boat launch fees throughout the year. This discount does not apply to annual boat launch permits or group campsites.

The National Park Service is also considering a new fee for the dump stations of $10 per use to dump grey and black water tanks and to fill potable water tanks. This would apply to the dump stations located at Spring Canyon, Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay, Hunters, Gifford, Kettle Falls, and Evans. $10 per use would bring us in line with other local dump stations.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allows federal land management agencies to utilize recreation fee funds to provide quality recreation experiences for hundreds of millions of visitors every year to some of America's most scenic, iconic, awe-inspiring, historical, and culturally rich lands and resources. Participating agencies use and leverage recreation fees to implement thousands of projects to enhance public safety, maintain recreation sites, provide eye-opening educational experiences, build informational wayside exhibits, fund interpretive programs, and offer a wide range of recreational and cultural opportunities.

Fees collected at Lake Roosevelt are used for improvements to visitor services. Through this year, fee dollars have been used to repair and upgrade boat launch and courtesy docks and improve water systems at several park locations. Future plans include upgrades and repairs to dock systems and parking facilities at Seven Bays, improving restroom facilities in Kettle Falls and Evans, and improving ADA accessibility at several of campgrounds. Additional information on some of these projects can be found at Your Dollars At Work - Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Comments can be mailed to: Fees Program, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, 44150 District Office Lane, Davenport, WA 99122. NPS will also collect comments through our website at  Proposed Fee Increase - Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Facebook Proposed Fee Increases page, or emailed directly to e-mail us. Comment cards will also be found at the campground and boat launch bulletin boards for you to mail to us They must be received by September 26, 2024.