BLM Fee Surge: Lake Havasu City & Kingman Sites Facing 300% Hike

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fees for sites across Arizona, including several in Lake Havasu City and Kingman, are slated for significant increases, ranging from 50% to 300%.

In May, BLM initiated a public comment period after unveiling proposals devised by several field offices. Congressman Paul Gosar extended this comment period through last month and hosted a public meeting to discuss the matter.

The last fee changes for the Lake Havasu Field Office were implemented in 2006. Now, proposed changes could double costs at shoreline sites in Lake Havasu City and hike fees as much as 300% at other locations, such as Crossroads Campground.

Monday afternoon, Gosar and Lake Havasu City residents shared their concerns during a listening session held at the aquatic center.

Gosar opened the session with remarks before handing it over to BLM representatives Jerry Davis, Deputy State Director for Resources and Planning, and Amber Cargile, Deputy State Director for Communications. Mayor Cal Sheehy and other city officials were present.

In his comments, Gosar highlighted the potential harm these fee increases could pose to local economies dependent on recreation and tourism. He emphasized the negative impact on site users already struggling with rising costs, making public lands less accessible.

Davis presented the rationale behind the proposed fee increases, citing increased visitation, higher operating expenses, and market research indicating that BLM rates are currently below those of other providers like the Forest Service. The public comment period closed last month; BLM is now considering these comments and might revise the draft plan.

Fees collected at each location are used locally, contributing to operating costs. However, Davis pointed out a significant disparity between operational costs and collected fees in some areas. “Fees have to be used at the sites they are collected in,” he said, noting that your campsite fees directly support that site.

The funds are utilized for various needs, including paying park rangers, site improvements, cleaning, signage, and programs. Moving forward, the draft plan will be reviewed by the Resources Advisory Council in October, with recommendations made to the state director for the final decision. If approved, the fees could be increased either all at once or incrementally over the next few years.

Here are the proposed changes per field office:

Lake Havasu Shoreline Sites

• Increase day use fee per watercraft from $10 to $20.
• Increase overnight camping fee per watercraft from $10 to $20.
• Annual pass increase from $100 to $200.
• Individual site without electric increase from $5 to $20 per night, per vehicle.
• Individual site with electric increase from $5 to $40 per night, per vehicle.
• Day use fee increase from $5 to $10 per vehicle.

Quail Hollow Campground (proposed)

• Establish individual site fees without electric at $20 per night, per vehicle.
• Establish individual site fee with electric at $40 per night, per vehicle.
• Individual sites increase from $14 to $28 per night.
• Group site increase from $50 to $80 per night.
• RV dump station fee increase from $10 to $15.

Wild Cow Springs Campground

• Individual site increase from $8 to $20.
• Group site increase from $20 to $30.

Arizona Strip Field Office

• Day use fee increase from $2 to $6 per carload.
• Overnight camping (tent and RV) increase from $8 to $22 per night (max of two vehicles per site).
• Establish a group overnight camping fee at $42 (maximum of 10 vehicles at designated group sites).