Fees for day-use and overnight camping at Cove Recreation Site have increased to cover increased operational, maintenance and upgrade costs.
The fees are increasing at Cove Recreation Site, located approximately 35 miles south of Boise, Idaho, are due to a revised business plan, a Jan. 27 news release said. It’s the first fee increase at the site since 2005.
“The Cove Recreation Site is an increasingly popular spot providing important access to CJ Strike Reservoir and surrounding public lands,” Bureau of Land Management Boise District Manager Tanya Thrift said in the release. “This fee increase will help the site become self-sustaining as we keep pace with growing operation and maintenance costs, as well as adding amenities desired by visitors.”
The day-use fees are increasing from $2 to $5 per vehicle, the release reported. Overnight tent camping fees are increasing from $5 to $15, and overnight recreational vehicle camping fees will increase from $12 to $15. The fees for additional vehicles, beyond the first two, will increase from $2 to $5.
According to the release, current national pass discounts, such as the America the Beautiful Pass, will be honored.
Visitors can camp, fish and picnic, among activities at the Cove at CJ Strike Reservoir, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
Revenue from current fees don’t cover operations and maintenance costs, plus they won’t fund future upgrades and infrastructure replacement, the Cove Recreation Site Business Plan said.
“The current fee structure has remained unchanged since 2005 while costs and visitation have both increased,” the business plan said. “In fiscal year 2020, revenues from site fees were approximately $24,900, whereas annual expenditures were roughly $85,000.”
