ASHEVILLE – On the heels of recent fee increases at campgrounds and day use areas in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, the U.S. Forest Service is proposing to double and in some cases triple the fees at four other recreation areas.

The Forest Service has opened a public comment period through May 31, where people can weigh in on the proposed fee changes at two off-highway vehicle areas, Tsali Recreation Area and the Swan Cabin near Robbinsville.

The two forests together cover 1.1 million acres of widely varying terrain across Western North Carolina, from highly used front-country trails and campgrounds, to remote, hike-in only primitive campsites, hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, waterfalls and rivers and opportunities for rock climbing, hunting, fishing, picnicking and ATV riding.

Forest service officials estimate the number of visitors each year at 5million to 6 million, and growing.

Fees would offset higher use

Mike Wilkins, district ranger on the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala, said the increase in visitation and forest use is not being matched by funding for maintenance, upkeep and other services.

RELATED:

"Public lands benefit every American, and recreation fee revenue helps protect natural resources and enhance recreation opportunities on national forests," Wilkins said.

The goal of the proposed changes is to establish a consistent fee approach for the National Forests in North Carolina and to improve visitor experiences through site upgrades paid for by the collected fees, he said.

"These fees will enhance our important multiuse trail systems and protect our historic cabin rental," said Andy Gaston, District Ranger on the Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger Districts.

RELATED: 5 great spring hikes near Asheville

The Swan Cabin was built in 1931 by Frank Swan in a different location. It was later moved to its current location near the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and offers a remote, rustic, tranquil setting surrounded by meadows. It sleeps up to 10 people, but has no running water or electricity.

The proposal is to double the fee from $25 to $50 a night.

Proposed fee increases at Tsali Mountain Bike and Equestrian Trail Complex will more than double at the popular recreation area near Fontana Lake, from $2 to $5 per rider (mountain bikers and equestrians), and $15 to $30 for an annual pass.

No change to fees in years

Prices at many forest sites have remained the same for more than a decade and have not kept pace with other recreation sites with similar services and amenities, but many sites have received various improvements and upgrades.

"We're looking forward to improving our OHV trails. Markets have changed and more OHV riders are showing up to Brown Mountain with side-by-sides. Many of our trails were designed to accommodate four-wheelers. We're widening those trails for the new, wider side-by-sides that we are seeing more of," said Nicholas Larson, district ranger on the Grandfather Ranger District.

These fee changes are only proposed. After public comments are received, the Forest Service will assess the comments and concerns and then present the fee proposals to the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, said Adrianne Rubiaco, Forest Service spokeswoman.

More on WNC outdoors:

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 allows the Forest Service to keep 80-95% of fees collected to operate, maintain and improve the recreation sites.

Brown Mountain OHV Visitor use has increased from approximately 8,000 to 11,000 visitors per year, about a 37% use increase over the past 10 years, Rubiaco said.

“The fee increase will help with maintenance costs. Last year, we were able to secure a Recreation Trails Program grant through the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for $100,000 which, in addition to the $50,000 fee revenue for Brown Mountain OHV, covered the yearly maintenance cost of $150,000,” Rubiaco said.

She said the road to the Wayehutta OHV trail system was closed April 20 due to a landslide on Forest Service Road 4650 in Jackson County. The 27-mile trail system on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until the road can be prepared, she said.

Find other OHV trails here.

Proposed Forest Service fee changes:

Cabins:

Swan Cabin in Robbinsville: increase from $25 per night to $50 per night

Specialized Mountain Bike and Equestrian Trails:

Tsali Mountain Bike and Equestrian Trail Complex: Increase from $2 to $5 per rider per day, and $15 to $30 annual pass (only to mountain bikers and equestrians).

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trails:

Brown Mountain OHV Trail Complex : Increase from $5 to $15 per vehicle per day, and $30 to $60 annual pass, phased in over two years.

Wayehutta OHV Trail Complex: Increase from $5 to $15 per vehicle per day, and $30 to $60 annual pass, phased in over two years.

For more information visit the North Carolina Forest Service website.

Want to comment?

To provide comments on the fee proposal, call Logan Free at 828-257-4256, email NFsNCfeeproposals@fs.fed.us, or send by mail to Recreation Fee Proposals, 160A Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.