Arizona to see increased entrance fees to national forest starting in fall

PHOENIX – It is no secret that Arizona is home to beautiful scenery, but beginning in the fall, it will cost a little more to take in the sights at one national forest in Arizona.

The USDA Forest Services and Tonto National Forest announced on Thursday that they will be increasing campground fees.

On average, it will soon cost visitors at least $6-$8 more to enter the forest.

These changes followed public meetings that gave individuals the opportunity to provide public feedback. The gatherings revealed that 95% of people who visited the Tonto National Forest did not want the entrance fees to be reduced.

In fact, people thought the increased prices were fine because of how the money would be used to help preserve the forest.

The Tonto keeps the majority of the revenue from the fees to maintain and manage recreational sites.

The money is also used to help maintain bathrooms, showers, water systems, and parking lots at the forest.

Access Pass holders are entitled to a 50% discount at sites that are managed by the USDA Forest Service.