Malheur National Forest campgrounds open May 23
Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, May 13, 2003
JOHN DAY – Campgrounds on the Malheur National Forest will begin their operating season May 23, kicking off the summer camping season, Roger Williams, forest supervisor, announced on May 7.
All camping fees remain the same; however, the annual pass has been replaced with a summer season only pass.
“Nine of the campgrounds managed by this forest provide campsites at no charge while 16 of the more developed sites charge a fee which contributes directly to maintenance and improvements at those sites,” Williams said. “Some of the improvements we’ve been able to do with fees include restoration of picnic tables, removal of hazards, and campsite improvements. Future plans call for installing new toilets, improving the access and condition of campground roads and garbage service.”
Campground fees may be paid at each campground on a nightly basis.
There is no longer an annual pass. A summer season camping pass good from May 23 through Sept. 1, is available for $50 at forest offices in Prairie City, John Day and Hines. This pass is good for all campgrounds managed by the Malheur National Forest. Fees will continue to be charged through the operating season in the fall.
Picnic shelters at Trout Farm, Idlewild, and Magone Lake and the group campsite at Magone Lake can also be reserved for exclusive use by a group.
The nightly fees are:
Blue Mountain Ranger District, (formerly Long Creek and Bear Valley Ranger Districts).
Starr $4 per night.
Parish Cabin $6 per night.
Magone Lake $10 per night.
Dixie and Middle Fork $5 per night.
Magone Lake picnic shelter $25 for up to 50 people, $50 groups over 50 people.
Magone Lake group site $60.
Emigrant Creek Ranger District, (formerly Burns and Snow Mountain Ranger Districts).
Idlewild, Yellowjacket and Delintment Lake, $7 per night.
Falls and Emigrant Creek $6 per night
Idlewild picnic shelter $25 for up to 50 people, $50 groups over 50 people.
Prairie City Ranger District
Big Creek $5 per night
Strawberry and Trout Farm $6 per night.
Trout Farm picnic shelter $25 for up to 50 people.
At all campgrounds, the fee for an additional vehicle in a campsite ishalf the daily campsite fee. There is no additional charge for towed vehicles.
No refunds will be made for fees or passes once they are purchased.
There have been no increases in fees for the past five years, so all fees will be reviewed for possible changes next year
Senior citizens (62 or over) may purchase a Golden Age Passport for $10, and people with disabilities can acquire a Golden Access card free.
These permits allow them to camp for half price, as well as providing benefits at other federal facilities, such as national parks.
The Northwest Forest Pass, included under the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, is also available at all Forest Service offices.
For $5 per day or $30 per year, the pass allows parking at hundreds of trailheads, picnic areas, boat launches and rustic camps in both Washington and Oregon.
Currently there are no sites requiring this pass on the Malheur National Forest.
There also is a new Golden Eagle Passport which sells for $65 and is honored at most day-use recreation sites operated by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Golden Eagle Passport is not honored at Malheur National Forest fee campgrounds.
For more information: Shannon Winegar at the office in Prairie City, at 820-3863 or Brenda Schwartz in Hines at (541) 573-4342.