
The U.S. Forest Service has long been grappling with how to pay for maintenance and operations of recreation facilities at Green Mountain Reservoir.
Latest plan would drop day-use parking fees at Cataract Lake, hike campsite fees modestly around the reservoir
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY — The U.S. Forest Service once again wants to change the fees for using campgrounds at Green Mountain Reservoir.
The current fee for camping is $5 per vehicle; under the proposed structure, the rate would be $13 per campsite for up to two vehicles, and $5 for each additional vehicle. A $65 pass would allow unlimited camping for the season.
“The proposed fees are comparable to those charged at Dillon Reservoir and the Arapaho National Recreation Area at Grand Lake,” said Ken Waugh, recreation staff officer for the Dillon Ranger District. Get more information on Green Mountain campgrounds here.
The proposed fee schedule would apply to Prairie Point, McDonald Flats, Cataract Creek, Elliot Creek, Willows, Cow Creek North, and Cow Creek South campgrounds. Combined, those sites see about 34,000 visitors during the May to October season, with the highest use during July and August.
The Forest Service also wants to do away with the parking and day-use fees at the Cataract Lake-area trail head. There also will be no fee for day use (fishing, picnicking, or boating) unless vehicles or persons are occupying a camping site. There will no longer be a fee to park at the McDonald Flats Boat Ramp.
The parking fees at Cataract Lake drew the most criticism from citizens over the years since they were enacted in 1997. A citizens advisory group that last year studied a proposed fee increase for the Green Mountain Reservoir area rejected the plan partially based on concerns about the parking and day-use fees. The latest proposal will also be subject to approval by the recreation advisory group. Read more »
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