Proposed fee changes on the Malheur National Forest
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY & HINES – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
The Malheur National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at various recreation sites on the forest.
Not all recreation sites on the forest require a fee. Including the sites in this proposal, over 56 % of sites on the forest would still not require a recreation fee. The forest will continue to honor all nationally recognized fee-free days.
The proposed fees by site are listed in the below tables.
| Site Name | Site Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
| Big Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $15 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Billy Fields | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Buck Spring | Campground | Single Site Fee: $6 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Crescent | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Deerhorn Forest Camp | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Delintment Lake | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $5 | Single Site Fee: $20 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Dixie | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Elk Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Falls | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Head O’ Boulder Forest Camp | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Idlewild | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $5 | Single Site Fee: $20 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Little Crane | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Lower Camp Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $6 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Magone Recreation Area Campground | Campground | Single Site Fee: $13 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 Tent Only Sites Fee: $13 | Single Site Fee: $20 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 Tent Only Sites Fee: $10 |
| McNaughton Spring | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Middle Fork | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Murray | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| North Fork Malheur | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Oregon Mine | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Parish Cabin | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $15 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Rock Springs | Campground | Single Site Fee: $6 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Slide Creek | Campground | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Starr | Campground | Single Site Fee: $6 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Strawberry | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $15 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Tip Top | Campground | Single Site Fee: $6 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $5 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Trout Farm | Campground | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $15 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Wickiup | Campground | Single Site Fee: $6 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Yellowjacket | Campground | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $5 | Single Site Fee: $15 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Magone Recreation Area | Group Campground | Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 75 Shoulder Season: Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 75 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 75 Shoulder Season: Night Fee: $50 rate per group size: 75 |
| Joaquin Miller | Horse Camp | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $3 | Single Site Fee: $15 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Pine Creek Horse Camp | Horse Camp | Single Site Fee: $0 | Single Site Fee: $5 |
| Slide Horse Camp | Horse Camp | Single Site Fee: $8 Extra Vehicle Fee: $4 | Single Site Fee: $10 Extra Vehicle Fee: $0 |
| Allison Guard Station | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 4 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 4 |
| Allison Guard Station Cabin 2 | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 4 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 4 |
| Allison Guard Station Cabin 3 | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 4 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 4 |
| Bear Valley Work Center | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 4 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 4 |
| Blue Mountain Work Center | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 4 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 4 |
| Deer Creek Guard Station | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 6 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 6 |
| Fall Mtn Lookout | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $40 rate per group size: 2 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 2 |
| Murderers Creek Guard Station | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $50 rate per group size: 2 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 2 |
| Short Creek Guard Station | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 4 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 4 |
| Sunshine Guard Station | Lookout or Cabin | Night Fee: $60 rate per group size: 6 | Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 6 |
All cabins, lookouts, and group campgrounds are reservable through www.recreation.gov for an additional $8.00 per reservation. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain at least 80% of the money collected at recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forest improve infrastructure at recreation sites and fund additional recreation staff during the season of operation. Recreation fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed recreation fee changes. The comment period is set to end by close of business on September 30, 2026. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Malheur National Forest, Attention: Lisa Arntz, PO Box 909, John Day, OR 97845 or by email at SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov . Comments can also be provided online.
Oral comments must be provided in person at the Malheur National Forest to Lisa Arntz during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or by calling 541-575-3000 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes. For more information, visit our website.
Once public involvement is complete, these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by an advisory committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interests to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable recreation fees. The committee will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.
