BLM’s Coeur d’Alene Field Office to implement day-use fees to improve recreational experience

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho-The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved business plans to collect day-use fees and improve the visitor experience at three recreation sites managed by the Coeur d’Alene Field Office. Collecting or increasing fees provides the BLM with resources needed to cover higher operational, maintenance and emergency response costs associated with additional use. New fees will go into effect six months after the Federal Register notice ( https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-00396/recreation-fee-areas-public-lands-managed-by-the-coeur-dalene-field-office-id ) publishes on Jan. 10, 2025.

The approved Coeur d’Alene business plans include Mica Bay Boater Park, Windy Bay Boater Park and Killarney Lake Campground and Access; and Huckleberry Campground. The plans will double the $10 overnight camping fee to $20, as well as establish day-use fees at Mica Bay Boater Park, Killarney Lake Campground and Access, and Huckleberry Campground. Because the general use at the sites has shifted from overnight camping to regular day-use activities over the past five years, the Coeur d’Alene Field Office will establish a day-use fee for groups of up to ten persons, or per vehicle, to keep up with the required maintenance. The day-use fee will be implemented at $5 in 2025, with the potential to be raised to $7 in two years, and to $10 in four years. The Mica Bay Pavilion reservation fee will initially increase to $80 with a phased approach up to $100.  The economic and social climate would be considered in implementing the fee escalation. 

“We took a hard look at our fees in areas managed by the Coeur d’Alene Field Office. For the BLM to continue to meet the public’s needs, we felt adjustments were necessary. I encourage everyone to look at the rationale in our plan,” said BLM Coeur d’Alene Field Manager Ray Pease.

The fee changes were determined through a comparative cost review of similar public and private facilities in surrounding counties. Operational and maintenance costs include trash removal, vault toilet pumping, improving picnic site amenities, vandalism repair and road and trail maintenance. The business plans include rationale for fee increases, operating costs, comparisons to other campgrounds with similar amenities and anticipated revenue. The proposals went through public comment and review from the BLM’s Idaho Resource Advisory Council, prior to being approved.

Plan your next vacation at Mica Bay Boater Park, Killarney Lake Campground and Access, and Huckleberry Campground. Learn more about how the Coeur d’Alene Field Office staff want to improve your boating and camping experience by reading the business plans. Or, call us at 208-769-5000.