BLM extends timeframe for seasonal camping fees at Ruby-Horsethief Recreation Area
Organization
Media Contact:
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that it is extending the timeframe for seasonal camping fees along the popular Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River. The fee extension, which begins in October 2019, is designed to improve camping experiences in the area.
Following public outreach on the fee extension in 2017, the BLM updated its Ruby-Horsethief Recreation Area business plan to extend the fee calendar by two months. While permits are always required for camping in this area, camping fees are now required from April 1 to October 31. Previously, fees were charged from May 1 to September 30. Fee amounts remain the same:
- $20 per night for a group of 1 – 5
- $50 per night for a group of 6 – 15
- $100 per night for a group of 16 – 25
The fees will be used for ranger patrols, campsite maintenance, river restoration, and future improvements at the Westwater Ranger Station and Loma Boat Launch.
“The permit system improves recreation experiences for visitors and protects important resources, making Ruby-Horsethief a world-class flat water boating destination,” said National Conservation Area Manager Collin Ewing. “We were seeing huge increases in use in April and October, and we need to be able to respond with ranger patrols and improvements to facilities.”
In 2017, the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River received more than 23,000 visitors. The approximately $104,000 in camping fees collected were used to hire a seasonal river ranger, improve and clean campsites, and conduct restoration projects. Permits are available at www.recreation.gov.
Recreation on BLM Colorado-managed public lands generated $618 million and supported 5,043 jobs in Fiscal Year 2017.
The updated Ruby-Horsethief business plan is online at https://go.usa.gov/xm7CV.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.