Day use fee to double at Knights Ferry, other Stanislaus River parks
The cost to spend the day at one of Stanislaus County’s most beloved parks, the Knights Ferry Recreation Area, will double starting Jan. 1.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District is increasing fees at all of its California facilities, which also include the McHenry Avenue and Orange Blossom recreation areas.
The day use fees will increase from $5 to $10.
The fee change is the result of the increased cost of maintaining recreation facilities due to the continued rise in inflation and is consistent with fees at other California recreation facilities, according to a press release from the Corps.
“We know the fee change may surprise many of our regular visitors, but it’s a necessary change we have to make in order for us to keep our facilities in the best possible condition and to give people an experience similar to what they would enjoy at nearby recreation areas,” Senior District Ranger Alicia Unsinn said in the press release.
She added that visitors can buy an annual federal park pass that can offset the costs of multiple visits to federal parks and recreation areas.
Other parks affected by the fee change are Black Butte Lake near Orland, Englebright Lake near Marysville, Martis Creek Lake near Truckee, New Hogan Lake near Valley Springs, Eastman and Hensley Lakes near Madera, Pine Flat Lake near Fresno, Lake Kaweah near Visalia and Success Lake near Porterville
The Army Corps of Engineers recreation use fee program recovers a portion of the cost of administering, operating, maintaining and improving specialized recreation facilities, according to the press release. The program helps manage public use more effectively to preserve resources and reduce overcrowding.
