BLM's Cody office asks for feedback on proposed campground fee increases

The Bureau of Land Management has drafted a plan for new and updated overnight fees at three campgrounds in the Cody, Wyoming, area.

The BLM Cody Field Office will accept comments on the draft plan through Oct. 31.

Cody-area recreation sites have become more popular in recent years. To keep up with increasing demand and to continue to provide quality services, the Cody Field Office proposes to raise the overnight fee at the Five Springs Falls Campground from $7 per night to $20 per night, and establish new overnight fees of $15 per night at the Hogan and Luce Campground and $10 per night at the Cottonwood Creek Campground. Day use of these sites remains free.

As recreation in the Cody area has grown, the BLM has increased opportunities by way of community partnerships, significant site improvements and more consistent site maintenance.

"Even as we continue to provide more and better amenities and services at close-to-home recreation sites in the Cody area, we've only ever charged a fee at the Five Springs Falls Campground," said BLM Cody assistant field manager Brad Tribby. "These new overnight fees would help offset the rising costs to maintain the sites, while helping us generate some funding to put toward future updates that the sites need."

The proposed fees fall within the current range of fees for nearby campgrounds with comparable amenities. Any money collected from increased or new fees would be put back into those particular sites for improvements and to increase recreation opportunities for the public. All other BLM-managed recreation sites within the Cody Field Office area will remain free to use.

The draft plan can be found at the BLM's Recreation Site Business Plans page . Comments may be emailed to . Please include "Draft Fee Plan" in the subject line.