Blue Ridge Parkway seeks public comment on fees

Blue Ridge Parkway News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: February 15, 2024

Contact: Leesa Brandon, 828.348.3420

Blue Ridge Parkway seeks public comment on changes to camping fee structure

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on proposed fee changes for camping and other associated fees on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proposed rate changes include front country and backcountry camping site fees, as well as non-camper user fees for shower and dump-station services. The Parkway is a popular camping destination for park visitors and neighbors, and recreation fees provide a vital source of revenue for needed facility maintenance, future campground improvement projects, and increased costs associated with campground operations.

The proposed fee structure is outlined in this table:

Available Service

Campgrounds/Locations

Current Rate

Proposed Rate

Front country campground standard site

Eight locations parkwide

$20

$30

Front country campground GROUP site (20-person occupancy)

Group sites available at Rocky Knob, Linville Falls, and Doughton Park campgrounds

$35

$45

Back country campsite

(6-person occupancy, 3-night limit)

Three locations parkwide

No charge

$15*

Non-camper dump station fee

Dumping allowed at all park campgrounds, eight locations parkwide

$3

$6

Non-camper shower fee

Showers available at Julian Price Park and Mount Pisgah campgrounds

$3

$6

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act requires that recreational fees are appropriate to the benefits and services provided. Fees charged by the NPS must be comparable to fees charged by others in the local area for similar benefits and services.

The last major fee rate change on the Parkway occurred in 2016. After research of local campground rates and provided services outside the park, the proposed rate increases were found to be comparable with current market rates in the surrounding areas for similar services.

Public engagement is an important part of the park’s planning process. Parkway leadership is accepting public comments on the proposed fee increases for a period of 30 days, beginning February 15 and closing on March 15, 2024. Following public engagement and NPS approval, new fees up to the amounts outlined above could be implemented as soon as May 2024.

Submit comments electronically via https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLRI2024fees. Comments may also be submitted via mail to:

Blue Ridge Parkway HQ

199 Hemphill Knob Road

Asheville, NC 28803

RE: Campground fee comment

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