New sites added to concessionaire permit, including new day use fee at June Lake Beach to start April 26
BISHOP, Calif., April 19, 2024 — Seven recreation sites on Inyo National Forest (Forest) will now be run by concessionaire under Vista Recreation’s permit, starting April 26, 2024. One site, June Lake Beach, will have a new $10 day use fee, with the remaining six sites’ fees unchanged.
After many summers of safety concerns at June Lake Beach regarding illegal parking, emergency vehicle access and increased public use, the new fee will help the Forest and Vista Recreation in staffing, operations and maintenance of June Lake Beach facilities, such as cleaning toilets and removing trash. There will also be a $50 seasonal pass available for frequent day use visitors. Both the $10 day use fee and the $50 seasonal pass can be purchased on-site at the entrance kiosk.
Campers nearby who walk in will not be charged the new day use fee. Parking lot hours will vary according to peak season days. Please visit our website for more information: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20560
Campgrounds
For the remaining six sites, Vista Recreation will now provide paid camp hosts, maintenance to facilities, and regular cleaning to improve visitor experience with no change in fees.
“The Inyo National Forest made this change because limited staffing over the last few years has been insufficient to adequately manage this popular day use site,” said Adam Barnett, Public Services staff officer for the Inyo National Forest.
The campgrounds now under concessionaire are as follows:
- Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Campground
- Cottonwood Pass Walk-in Campground (aka. Golden Trout Backpacker Campground)
- Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground
- Lower Lee Vining Campground
- Moraine Campground
- Aspen Campground
The new permit will now have a ten year term, instead of five years, allowing the Forest and Vista to consolidate fee revenue and complete high-cost improvements such as campground renovations and upgrading old water systems. Vista will also be able to provide more interpretive programs at some of these campgrounds.
Background
Inyo National Forest issued a prospectus for campground and related concessions in 2023, soliciting proposals for a permit to operate and maintain 76 government-owned recreation facilities located on the forest.
The permit term may be extended an additional five years at the discretion of the authorized officer.
