Proposed Fee Changes on Monongahela National Forest

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Josh Poling


Elkins, W.Va., May 6, 2024 — Monongahela National Forest is seeking public comments on a proposal to increase recreation fees at developed recreation sites to help fund operations, maintenance, and improvements. 

The recreation fee program provides a valuable source of funding that helps the Forest maintain high quality recreation sites, such as campgrounds, cabins, and picnic shelters. Eighty percent of fees collected on the Monongahela remain on the Monongahela to operate and maintain developed recreation sites and complete deferred maintenance projects. 

“Even if all of the changes requested in the fee proposal are implemented, 75 percent of the Monongahela’s 197 developed recreation sites would still be free,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Tracy Calizon. “Several sites are not seeing a fee increase and the annual pass at Lake Sherwood Beach will remain at its current price of $30. These proposed fee increases are in line with comparable sites in and around the National Forest with similar amenities and maintenance needs.”

The proposed increases are outlined in the table below:

Comparison list of proposed recreation fee increases next to current fees.

Site Name

Site Type

Current Fee

Proposed Fee

Bear Heaven Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $5

Single Site Fee: $15

Big Rock Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $10 Double Site Fee: $20

Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $30

Williams River RUA Sites D2

Campground

Single Site Fee: $5 Double Site Fee: $10

Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $30

Cranberry Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $10 Double Site Fee: $20

Single Site Fee: $20 Double Site Fee: $40

Summit Lake Reservoir/Fishing Site

Group Picnic Site

Day Fee: $0 rate per group size: 75

Day Fee: $75 rate per group size: 75

Summit Lake Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $10

Single Site Fee: $20

Cranberry Mountain Nature Center

Group Picnic Site

Day Fee: $0 rate per group size: 75

Day Fee: $75 rate per group size: 75

Cranberry RUA Campsites

Campground

Single Site Fee: $5 Double Site Fee: $10

Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $30

Red Oak Lookout

Lookout/Cabin

Night Fee: $0 rate per group size: 2

Night Fee: $100 rate per group size: 2

Woodbine Picnic Area

Group Picnic Site

Day Fee: $0 rate per group size: 75

Day Fee: $50 rate per group size: 75

Middle Mountain Cabins

Lookout/Cabin

Night Fee: $75 rate per group size: 10

Night Fee: $100 rate per group size: 10

Island Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $10

Single Site Fee: $15

Laurel Fork Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $8 Double Site Fee: $16

Single Site Fee: $15 Double Site Fee: $30

Stonecoal Camping Area

Camping Area

Single Site Fee: $0

Single Site Fee: $15

Day Run Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $8

Single Site Fee: $15

Tea Creek Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $10

Single Site Fee: $20

Williams River RUA Sites D4

Campground

Single Site Fee: $5

Single Site Fee: $15

Red Creek Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $11

Single Site Fee: $25

Seneca Rocks Picnic Area

Group Picnic Site

Day Fee: $0 rate per group size: 75

Day Fee: $75 rate per group size: 75

Lake Sherwood Beach

Swimming Site

Day Fee: $5 rate per vehicle

Day Fee: $8 rate per vehicle

Blue Bend Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $16 Double Site w/ Hookup Fee: $40

Site w/ Electric Fee: $20

Single Site Fee: $20 Double Site w/ Hookup Fee: $50

Site w/ Electric Fee: $30

Lake Sherwood Campground

Campground

Single Site Fee: $20 Double Site Fee: $40 Site w/ Electric Fee: $24 Tent Only Fee: $16

Single Site Fee: $25 Double Site Fee: $50 Site w/ Electric Fee: $35 Tent Only Fee: $20

Please submit comments regarding these fee proposals by close of business on July 31, 2024, using any of the methods below:

  • Provide comments online 
  • Email comments using our Contact Us page with the subject line “Fee Change.” 
  • Mail written comments to: Monongahela National Forest, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins WV 26241, Attention: W.J. Cober. 
  • Comment cards are available at Forest Service offices during normal business hours. Please call ahead to make sure the office will be open when you plan to stop by. 

After public involvement is complete, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by a Resource Advisory Committee, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision. Committee members represent a broad array of interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes. Any fees changes will not be implemented until summer 2025.