Fees in AZ to park and hike

[dragonflyinthesky]

<p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-9th-circuit/1593849.html?DCMP=NWL-pro_envtl" target="_blank" target=_blank>http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-9th-circuit/1593849.html?DCMP=NWL-pro_envtl</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Mt Lemmon in AZ,&nbsp; Forest Service charging 5 dollars to park and picnic.&nbsp; This article regards a law suit against the Forest Service to regain unlawful fees charged.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Wrong area to post? Maybe can be moved</p><p style="margin: 0px;">In part:</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Four recreational visitors sued,<a href="#footnote_1" name="footnote_ref_1" target=_blank>^{<font size="2">1</font>}</a> seeking a declaration that the Forest Service was exceeding the scope of its authority under the REA by charging fees to those who drive to Mount Lemmon, park their cars, then picnic, hike, or camp in nearby undeveloped areas. Plaintiffs also sought to enjoin the Forest Service from collecting such fees. The district court granted defendants' Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs appealed. Because plaintiffs are correct that the Forest Service's fee structure contravenes the plain language of the REA, we reverse the district court's dismissal of Count I<a href="#footnote_2" name="footnote_ref_2" target=_blank>^{<font size="2">2</font>}</a> and remand to allow plaintiffs to pursue that claim.</p><p>BACKGROUND3</p><p>Everyone is entitled to enter national forests without paying a cent. 16 U.S.C. § 6802(e)(2) (“The Secretary shall not charge an entrance fee for Federal recreational lands ․ managed by ․ the Forest Service.”). The Forest Service may, however, charge a “standard amenity recreation fee” in an “area”:</p><iframe style="display: none;" id="stSegmentFrame" height="0" src="http://seg.sharethis.com/getSegment...hike-5709946&amp;jsref=&amp;rnd=1329311774694" frameBorder="0" width="0" name="stSegmentFrame" scrolling="no"></iframe><div style="left: -999px; top: -999px; visibility: hidden;" id="stwrapper" class="stwrapper"><div class="stclose"></div><iframe style="left: 0px; top: 0px;" id="stLframe" class="stLframe" height="350" src="http://edge.sharethis.com/share4x/index.08494d37c792aa82b4ba36e63cbd06f6.html" frameBorder="0" width="353" allowTransparency="true" name="stLframe" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

 

[old69vanner]

This is one way a state can increase revenue...the same thing happened in CA a year after the housing crash...with tax revenue's going into the red that most states increased most other fees as well, like gun registration fees, fishing licenses, local park picnics and the list goes on...we can all thank the greedy wall street employees who put us here.<br><br>SB <br>

 

[blars]

This is a national forest fee, so the fee does not go to the state.<br><br>Several national forests in southern california also charge such fees. (not for entering, only for parking)<br><br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

Day Use fees aren't a charge to enter the forest, they are charges to use a facility. In this case probably the parking lot, picnic tables, toilet and maybe barbques. A little know secret is that if you park across the street you don't have to pay the fee even if you use the rest of the facility. Bob (campground host in NF for 4 years, including Day Use areas)<br>

 

[Corinne]

Hi everyone.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I plan on going to the Coconino National Forest first, up by Flagstaff and near Sedona, in a few months, when all of my plans come together.&nbsp; They have dispersed camping there, as well as inexpensive campground camping.&nbsp; No reservations required, first come first serve.<br><br>&nbsp;Also, volunteer work for anyone interested in helping to clean and maintain campsites.&nbsp; A lot of places, especially by the Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon, give an extra 10% discount to Veterans.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; So, their campsites with hook ups will run about $14 a night if you ever need a night to recharge.<br><br>Any other advice for dispersed camping in a National Forest would be more than welcome.&nbsp; I haven't done it yet, just the research, but I'm really looking forward to it.<br><br>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

I have done dispersed camping. We really enjoy it. Bring what you need as its just a place to set up and often has a nice view. Be aware of fire permits though. If required you MUST get one. They are free at the Ranger Stations. But if you get caught without one, you're looking at a $300 fine!

 

[Corinne]

Thanks for the advice Jeeper!&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I didn't know about a fire permit, I'll definitely keep that in mind.&nbsp; Have a great day...<br><br>"The key to life is to die young, at a very old age".<br> "It's not what you buy, it's what you build and what you do with it"<br><br>I couldn't have said it better!&nbsp; <br>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

I spent my youth in the Catalina Moutains/Mt. Lemmon as I'm originally from Tucson. But it was all free back then. I picked up a pass for Mt' Lemmom last year and I think it was $25 for the annual pass.As mentioned several forest in SoCal also have a permit system they charge for. I think it's for more than just revenue. It's cut down on the vandalism &nbsp;and crime in general in those areas. The one permit covers 4 National Forests and I think my last one was around $35. The system has its good and bad points like everything else. Now I'm in South Jersey and not a mountain or even a hill in sight! LOL

 

[blars]

The $80/year "america the beutiful" pass covers all such fees, as well as national park admission.&nbsp; There are cheaper versions for elderly and disabled.<br><br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

ThaNKs Blars, this is the link you referred to.<br><A href="http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html" target=_blank>http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html</A><br>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>It grips me that&nbsp;ANYONE who is a citizen&nbsp;has to pay for anything from the Feds.&nbsp; Haven't we the people earned the right through taxes?&nbsp; I think it is a conspriacy to drain us of what little economic freedom we still have left.&nbsp; Will we the people continue to work as tax slaves, to buy more bullets, more guns and more million dollar tanks?&nbsp; The War Machine keeps rolling and we keep paying.&nbsp; Didn't Viet&nbsp;Nam teach us anything?&nbsp;It seems the Feds are not our friends if we have to pay to go for a hike.&nbsp; Is this&nbsp;"OUR" country or are the big fat cats in Washington bent on destroying us, so they can bring in the New World Order?&nbsp;</p>

 

[sl1966]

<div><br><div><br><div><br></div></div></div>

 

[joey]

The $80/year "america the beutiful" pass covers all such fees, as well as national park admission.&nbsp; There are cheaper versions for elderly and disabled.<br><br><br>

I am disabled and I have an Access Pass.They also have a Annual,Senior,and a Volunteer Pass. Here is a link for more info.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm<br>