Alturas, Calif., April 13, 2022— Beginning July 8, 2022, the Modoc National Forest is implementing increased fees at 9 developed recreation sites where fees had previously been set up.Updated 2022 fees include $15/site and $5/extra vehicle for these campgrounds offering drinking water:
  • A.H. Hogue Campground
  • Headquarters Campground
  • Hemlock Campground
  • Howards Gulch Campground
  • Willow Creek Campground
  • Mill Creek Falls C.G.
  • Soup Springs Campground
  • Medicine Campground
  • Blue Lake Campground

The proposed changes will make campground fees more uniform and will enable the forest to better maintain the facilities. The specific sites were chosen based on the amenities they offer. The operations and maintenance of these facilities, involving drinking water systems in particular, is a significant cost which currently is not covered by fees at many sites.

Several day-use sites, overnight camping sites and other developed recreation sites offer services such as garbage, bathrooms, and water, but are currently managed without user fees. In 2023, the Modoc National Forest will implement new fees at some of these other recreational areas that specifically include drinking water.

“These fees will support us in managing quality developed recreation sites to the standard visitors have come to expect,” said Forest Engineer Chris Bielecki. “The fees represent a strategic balance to sustain essential services, while also embracing the Modoc niche of providing inexpensive, remote and uncrowded recreation opportunities. And many of our recreation sites will remain free of charge moving forward.”The new 2023 fees include:


  • $75/night Patterson Guard Station Cabin
  • $5/day Medicine Lake Day Use/Boat Launch
  • $10/site Schonchin Springs Campground
  • $15/site and $5/extra vehicle for all other campgrounds offering drinking water:
  • Stough Reservoir Campground
  • Pepperdine Campground
  • Pepperdine Equestrian Campground
  • Cave Lake Campground
  • East Creek Equestrian Campground
  • Patterson Campground
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain and improve the sites. These additional funds along with 95% of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain, and improve facilities. So, raising the revenue collected through recreation fees will help improve infrastructure at campgrounds and day-use sites, reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance, and hire additional recreation staff during the season of operation. The resources derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.