The Coconino National Forest is seeking public feedback on a to increase fees at specific recreation sites. Based on the timeline for review, any changes to recreation fees are unlikely to take effect before the end of this year.
According to an agency press release, the purpose of the fee increase is to assist with maintaining highly trafficked sites and potentially hire additional seasonal recreation staff. The Coconino will continue to honor "America the Beautiful" Interagency Passes and Red Rock Passes at all standard amenity fee sites and provide several fee-free days throughout the year.
Most of the forest -- approximately two-thirds of all recreation sites, according to the agency -- would remain fee-free under the new proposal.聽Some previously free sites, however, would see fees instituted for the first time, including the popular Fossil Creek area, the C.C. Cragin Reservoir and Knoll Lake.
A complete list of proposed fee changes is available on the Coconino National Forest’s . Members of the public can submit comments , in person at the forest headquarters on S. Thompson St. in Flagstaff, via email at [email protected], or by phone at (928) 527-3474. The deadline to comment is Sept. 5, 2025.
Following the public comment period, the proposal will be reviewed by the Bureau of Land Management鈥檚 Resource Advisory Committee, which represents a variety of public land user groups. That committee must submit a recommendation to the regional forester, who will be responsible for the final decision on the proposal.
Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January, the U.S. Forest Service has weathered staffing reductions across all divisions besides firefighting and law enforcement. Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett recently said the Coconino had lost roughly 15 to 20% of career personnel, in addition to the loss of numerous seasonal positions.