Fees change at Flathead cabins and campgrounds

KALISPELL - Last month, the Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee and USFS Northern Regional Office approved fee changes for 12 rental cabins and the Spotted Bear and Lindbergh Lake campgrounds in Flathead National Forest.

The changes come as part of a regional effort to better align prices with the services and amenities the areas provide. Most existing rental fees at Flathead National Forest have not been changed for over 15 years, with some dating back to 1999. The public was first notified about this proposal in 2017 with an early opportunity for comment.

User fees for campgrounds and rental cabins are collected under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, with 95% of the fees returned to the Forest for maintenance and improvements. New furniture, painting, windows, roof repairs, bathroom facilities, bear-resistant storage boxes, picnic tables and roadways are all improvements that the Forest accomplishes through rental fees.

Both cabin and campground reservations are in high demand. The fees are a vital supplement to annual appropriations and are essential to providing a quality visitor experience.

Rental cabins and lookouts available to rent on the Swan Lake and Glacier View/Hungry Horse Ranger Districts increased between $10 - $20 per night. This increase affects the Mission Lookout, Owl Creek Cabin, Swan Lake Guard Station and Old Condon Ranger Station on the Swan Lake Ranger District. The Hornet Lookout and Challenge, Ninko, Ford, Ben Rover, Schnaus, Zip’s Place and Wurtz Cabins on the Glacier View/Hungry Horse District also increased. The fee changes will be reflected immediately on Recreation.gov, however existing reservations will not be modified.

The Spotted Bear Campground on the Spotted Bear Ranger District increased its camping fee from $10 to $13 per night. The $5 per extra vehicle did not change.

On the Swan Lake Ranger District, Lindbergh Lake Campground which was free now costs $10 per night plus $5 per extra vehicle. The fees at Lindbergh Lake will not begin until the summer of 2021.