Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area to Implement Fee IncreaseSierra REC Magazine

MINERAL, CA –On June 1, 2015 Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area will simultaneously implement an increase for entrance and camping fees. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to the public that voiced their opinion on the proposed fee increase,” stated Superintendent Steve Gibbons. “We carefully considered all comments and as a result, the proposed increases at Lassen have been reduced.”

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Entry Fees	Current Fee	Proposed Fee	Approved Fee to Take Effect June 1, 2015
Annual Pass	$25	$50	$40
Per Vehicle	$10	$25	$20
Per Person	$5	$12	$10
Motorcycle	$5	$20	$15
Winter Seasonal	–	–	$10 (December 1 –April 15)

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Entry Fees	Current Fee	Proposed Fee	Approved Fee to Take Effect June 1, 2015
Annual Pass	$25	$40	$40
Per Vehicle	$10	$20	$10
Per Person	$10	$10	$10
Motorcycle	$10	$15	$10

Visitors who purchase an annual pass can use the pass at both Whiskeytown and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Camping Fees are increasing at Lassen Volcanic from $2 – $6 per site. Camping fees at Whiskeytown are increasing from $1 – $10 per site/day use area. Starting in December 2015, Lassen Volcanic will have a new winter seasonal pass available for $10.00. “Our visitors often come for a day trip to play in the snow at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Public comments expressed an interest in a reduced winter fee and we are pleased to start offering it next winter,” stated Superintendent Gibbons.
Lassen Volcanic and Whiskeytown provide a strong economic benefit to the surrounding communities. In 2014, over 1.2 million people visited Lassen Volcanic and Whiskeytown, contributing over $60.4 million to the local economy and supporting 890 jobs.
Recreation fee dollars at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area renovated all park primitive campgrounds and the Dry Creek group campsites, installed ADA accessible walkways and access ramps, installed campground bear-proof food lockers, maintained the kayak tour equipment and storage, installed fishing piers, created and maintained miles of trails, replaced the Oak Bottom wastewater treatment facility, and replaced restroom facilities throughout the park. Thanks to fee revenue a project is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in June, to replace the Oak Bottom Beach restroom and changing facility. Additional revenue raised by the fee increase will be used to improve and expand the 51 year-old visitor center, renovate the beach stores and swim beaches, rehabilitate park picnic areas, renovate Oak Bottom Campground bathrooms, preserve historic structures, develop and produce park interpretive videos, renovate informational kiosks, provide improved signage, and many other projects that will improve the park experience for visitors.
Recreation fee dollars at Lassen Volcanic National Park have made possible the reopening of Butte Lake Campground, installation of park-wide wayside exhibits, development of the Lassen Crossroads Information pavilions, installation of campground bear-proof food lockers, restoration of the Lassen Peak Trail, repair of the Pacific Crest Trail, horse corral improvements, rehabilitation of the Devastated Area Accessible Interpretive Trail, installation of an ADA-compliant audiovisual system at the Loomis Museum, rehabilitation of three campground amphitheaters, and museum / visitor center exhibits. Additional revenue raised by the fee increase will be used to improve and maintain Kings Creek Falls and Bumpass Hell trails, provide children’s interpretive exhibits in the visitor center, develop Volcano Adventure Camp, rehabilitate Warner Valley Campground, and improve campground roadways and restrooms.