Salt Lake City, UT, Residents Unhappy About New Recreation Fees Implemented at Central Wasatch Trailheads

The U.S. Forest Service has introduced new recreation fees at several popular trailheads in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City, including the Mill D Trailhead and Spruces Campground, home to some of the most popular backcountry skiing areas in the Wasatch. Visitors have reported finding flyers on their vehicles, leading to confusion and discussions on social media. Some individuals initially suspected the flyers were scams; however, the Forest Service has confirmed their legitimacy, local Utah news station KUTV reports.

• Related: White Pine Touring: The Hub for Backcountry Skiing Gear, Rentals, and Education in Park City, UT

The updated fee structure includes a $10 three-day pass, a $20 seven-day pass, and a $60 annual pass. The Forest Service stated that these fees aim to manage the increasing number of visitors and fund maintenance and improvements in the area. Funds will be used to enhance infrastructure, improve visitor services, and protect natural resources, according to KUTV.

While the Forest Service has highlighted the benefits of the fees, some community members have voiced concerns over the lack of prior notice and its impact on accessibility. Chris Wadsworth, a frequent hiker in the area, found a notice on his car after a recent hike at the Mill D Trailhead, informing him he had failed to pay the newly implemented recreation fee. Wadsworth shared the flyer in a Facebook group, where many members were unaware of the new fee, with some speculating the flyer could be a scam.

Wadsworth expressed his surprise in an interview with KUTV, saying:

“I hike, that’s kind of my thing. To get into the mountains and not have to think or worry about the day-to-day thing. [Now] the Federal Government wants more of my money just to go walk on a trail that I’ve walked my whole life.”

The recreation fee program, in place for 28 years, helps offset the limited funding the U.S. Forest Service receives from Congress. The U.S. Forest Service has emphasized its openness to community feedback on the parking fees in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Visitors and local residents are encouraged to contact the Salt Lake Ranger District for more information or to voice their concerns.