BLM Royal Gorge Field Office adopts new campsite fee structure

CAÑON CITY, Colo. — The Royal Gorge Field Office has adopted a new fee structure for developed campgrounds in its management area as part of an effort to address the widening gap between revenue and maintenance costs at BLM recreation sites. Fee collection will begin at Turtle Rock beginning Aug. 23, 2024. The Bank, and Sand Gulch campgrounds will see rate increases beginning April 1, 2024, bringing them in line with the new fee structure.

A business plan outlining the new fee structure was presented to the Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Council – a diverse group of citizen advisors who live in the BLM’s Rocky Mountain District. The council voted unanimously to recommend implementing the new fee structure during its Nov. 9, 2023, meeting.

“To meet the exponential increase in camping demand that we have seen means increasing the management resources of our field office,” said Royal Gorge Field Office manager, Keith Berger. “We truly have something special, and we take the long-term management of these areas seriously.”

“These new fees will allow the BLM to improve the quality, and even increase the availability, of recreation opportunities on public lands now and for future generations,” said Royal Gorge Field Office assistant field manager for recreation, Kalem Lenard.

For public enquiries, contact Kalem Lenard, Royal Gorge Field Office assistant field manager, at (719) 269-8538. For media enquiries, contact Levi Spellman, BLM Rocky Mountain District public affairs specialist, at (719) 839-1584.