Lolo NF announces rate hikes; new cabin rentals

The Lolo National Forest is moving forward with implementing fee changes for developed recreation sites as recommended by the Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, and Tri County Resource Advisory Committees, and as approved by the Regional Forester.

Revenue generated at these sites is retained by the Lolo National Forest and provides critical support for maintaining high-quality recreation experiences and funding maintenance and improvements.

The changes to campground fees will take effect for the 2021 summer season and changes to rentals and lookout fees will take place as soon as possible and in coordination with the online reservation provider www.recreation.gov.

To see a table of changes, see list below or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/lolo/.

Here are the rate increases and changes for recreation sites on the Lolo National Forest:

Campgrounds

Bighorn, Big Nelson, Fishtrap Lake, Kreis Pond, Lake Inez, Little Joe and Siria were free, but now cost $10.

Bitterroot Flat, Dalles, Grizzly, Harry’s Flat, Norton and Trout Creek were $6, but are now $15.

Cabin City increased from $7 to $15.

Cascade, Lee Creek, Lolo Creek, Quartz Flat and Sloway increased from $10 to $15.

Big Larch, Lake Alva, River Point and Seeley Lake increased from $10 to $20.

Day-Use Sites

Quartz Flat dump station increased from $2 to $10.

Group sites

Cascade Group campground increased from $14 to $20.

Lake Inez Point 6 increased from $14 to $50.

Lakeside increased from $28 to $50.

Lake Alva increased from $30 to $50.

Big Larch increased from $35 to $50.

Pattee Canyon Picnic Sites B/C increased from $25 to $50.

Pattee Canyon Picnic Sites A increased to $100.

Cabins and lookouts

Big Hole Lookout is $45.

Cougar Peak and Up Up lookouts increased from $30 to $45.

Driveway Peak Lookout is $55.

West Fork Butte Lookout went from $30 to $55.

Savenac East Cottage is $80.

Savenac West Cottage went from $40 to $80.

Thompson Peak Lookout increased from $30 to $75.

Savenac Bunkhouse went from $75 to $115.

Savenac Cookhouse increased from $80 to $115.

Double Arrow Lookout increased from $45 to $75.

Monture Cabin and Hogback Homestead increased from $60 to $75.

Morgan Case Homestead increased from $65 to $75.

Bend Cookhouse and Historic Ranger’s Cabin is $90 or $130, depending on group size.

• An $5 extra vehicle fee for all single-site, fee campgrounds is approved. Some exceptions are based on space at various campgrounds. Extra vehicle fees will be assessed per vehicle for more than two non-trailered vehicles per site.

Implementation of the changes is the result of over two years of public engagement that included a public comment opportunity in August of 2019, meetings with four Resource Advisory Committees, and meetings with stakeholder groups and local officials.

Two new rental opportunities will be added to the forest’s popular recreation rental program for the 2021 summer season including Savenac East Cottage on the Superior Ranger District and Big Hole Lookout on the Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger District.

The Savenac East Cottage, which can accommodate up to four people, was built in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and is located on the grounds of the Savenac Historic Tree Nursery.

Big Hole Lookout can accommodate up to four people and was built in 1930. The lookout is a ‘Grange Hall’ style lookout and one of only two remaining intact lookouts of this kind on the Lolo National Forest. The hike up to Big Hole Lookout is an easy to moderate three-mile hike one-way.

“We recognize how important these sites are to our communities and those who visit the Lolo National Forest. We are excited to offer new rental opportunities and expand an already popular program,” stated Carolyn Upton, Forest Supervisor. “These changes are part of our commitment to continued investment in these sites and the recreational offerings on the Lolo National Forest.”

Approximately 95% of revenue collected at recreation sites, campgrounds, and cabin and lookout rentals stays on the Lolo National Forest and is used to operate, maintain, and improve the sites.

The changes are part of a region-wide effort to better align prices with the services and amenities provided to visitors at these popular locations.

However, many forest campgrounds, all dispersed camping, along with trails, remain free to the public and do not require any fees. Fee sites are normally high-use, highly developed areas that require daily maintenance, cleaning, and upkeep.

About the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act: In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve sites.