Higher fees planned in popular AZ forest. Here are the new prices and how to comment
The National Forest Service has proposed recreation fee increases at sites throughout Coconino National Forest, including higher prices for daily, weekly and seasonal passes at picnic areas, day use areas and trailheads.
The plan also creates new fees at some boating sites and cabins that are currently free, the Forest Service said on Monday, May 12.
If the proposed increases take effect, the daily and weekly fees will double and the seasonal fees will triple at most sites that charge fees. The new fees must be approved by the Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Committee, and the Forest Service is accepting public comments through Sept. 5.
If approved, it would mark the latest example of outdoor recreation in Arizona getting pricier. Arizona State Parks & Trails raised entry fees in February, while the National Park Service increased campground fees at Grand Canyon National Park in April.
Here's what to know about the proposed fee increases at Coconino National Forest.
Coconino National Forest spans more than 1.8 million acres in central and northern Arizona and encompasses Sedona and Flagstaff, two cities that are top draws for outdoor travelers.
Some sites require a pass, but most of Coconino National Forest − about 67%, by the Forest Service's estimate − is free to visit.
In Sedona, visitors must display a Red Rock Pass or federal recreation pass like the America the Beautiful Pass to park at popular trailheads and picnic areas in Oak Creek Canyon, along Boynton Pass Road and State Route 179 and in other locations.
A Red Rock Pass costs $5 for a day, $15 for a week or $20 for a year. Forest Service spokesperson Randi Shaffer told The Arizona Republic that the proposed fee increase does not affect the cost of Red Rock Passes.
The Forest Service is proposing the following fee increases:
Boating sites: C.C. Cragin Reservoir and Knoll Lake are currently free to use. If the proposal is approved, fees of $10 per day, $30 per week and $60 per season would take effect at both locations. Fees at the Narrows and Upper Lake Mary would increase to $30 per week and $60 per season, up from the current $15 per week and $20 per season; the daily fee at both areas would remain $10.
Picnic sites: Fees per vehicle at the Banjo Bill, Bootlegger, Dry Creek Vista, Encinoso and Halfway picnic areas would increase to $10 per day, $30 per week and $60 per season, up from the current $5 per day, $15 per week and $20 per season.
Midgley Bridge Observation Site: The per-vehicle fee would increase to $10 per day, $30 per week and $60 per season, up from the current $5 per day, $15 per week and $20 per season.
Day use areas and trailheads: It currently costs $6 for a day-use pass within the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River corridor during the high season of April 1-Oct. 1. If the proposal passes, the fee would be $25 per vehicle per day plus a $6 reservation fee. The areas that would introduce this fee include the Fossil Creek Bridge, Homestead, Mazatzal, Purple Mountain, Sally May and Tonto Bench day use areas, plus the Dixon Lewis and Irving-Flume Trailheads.
Per-vehicle fees for the Baldwin, Bear/Doe Mountain, Bell, Bell Rock Vista, Boynton Canyon, Bruce Brockett, Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Vista, Fay Canyon, Huckaby, Jim Thompson, Little Horse, Mescal and Yavapai Vista trailheads would increase to $10 per day, $30 per week and $60 per season, up from the current $5 per day, $15 per week and $20 per season.
Interpretive and heritage sites: Per vehicle fees at the Honanki Ruin and Lava River Cave interpretive sites, Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site and Palatki interpretive visitor center would increase to $10 per day, $30 per week and $60 per season, up from the current $5 per day, $15 per week and $20 per season.
Cabins and lookouts: Buck Mountain Lookout and Mormon Lake Guard Station are currently free to use. Under the proposal, a fee of $75 per night for up to four people at Buck Mountain and $100 per night for up to eight people at Mormon Lake would take effect. The fee at Crescent Moon Ranch Cabin would be $235 for a group of up to 10 people, up from the current $200. These sites are available on recreation.gov with an additional $8 reservation fee.
Yes. The America the Beautiful Pass covers sites that charge fees at Coconino National Forest, as well as other federally managed lands that charge admission or day-use fees.
The interagency pass, which costs $80 per year, waives entry fees at public recreation lands managed by several federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and others.
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There are five ways people can submit comments on the proposed fee increases in Coconino National Forest:
Mail to Coconino National Forest, Attention: Brian Poturalski, 1824 S. Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
Email to comments-southwestern-coconino@usda.gov.
Online comment at arcg.is/1KzWzz.
Comment in person to Brian Poturalski from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Coconino National Forest office in Flagstaff.
Comment by phone at 928-527-3474; indicate you wish to comment on the proposed recreation fee changes.
The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 5, 2025.
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Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Coconino National Forest fee increases: What you could pay
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