By Shannon Lukens.

The Fish Creek Falls recreation area now has an automated fee station for people visiting the area. It allows for a credit card payment now. Routt National Forest also sends word that the lower Fish Creek Falls Trail is temporarily closed right now from the parking lot to the bridge because of heavy snowpack and avalanche danger. The bridge is also closed during spring runoff.

Information on the Routt National Forest can be found on our website or on the Forests’ Twitter and Facebook accounts. The Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District office can be reached at (970) 870-2299.

 

Here’s more from the U.S. Forest Service – Department of Agriculture; March 27, 2023.

 

Forest Service makes paying fee at Fish Creek Falls easier

Automated fee station in place at popular recreation site.

(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.)  March 27, 2023 – The Routt National Forest has installed an automated fee station at Fish Creek Falls recreation site, providing visitors another option for day-use fee payment.

The station was installed to provide the public with the additional method of credit card payment on site.

Instructions for use are located on the fee machine and a receipt will be provided to place on the vehicle dash.

“I’m excited to announce this improvement and offer new, convenient ways for Fish Creek Falls visitors to pay the fee at Steamboat Springs’ most popular attraction,” said District Ranger Michael Woodbridge. “This is a good example of how the Forest Service strives to make visiting the Routt National Forest easy and enjoyable for everyone.”

The fee at Fish Creek Falls continues to be $5/vehicle/day. Onsite or online payment is accepted. Credit card, cash, or check payment is accepted onsite. Online payment is through Recreation.gov.

Locations for additional automated fee stations on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests are under consideration at several recreation sites unit wide.

The current USDA Forest Service recreation fee program is administered under the Federal Lands Recreation Act (REA) and helps to fund the Forest’s recreation program by allowing for the reinvestment of revenue into fee sites. REA authorizes the Forest to keep 95% of fees collected locally to stay at the Forest level. Fees go back to the Forest for things like trash services, toilet pumping, picnic tables, capital improvements, and staffing.

It is important to note the lower Fish Creek Falls Trail is temporarily closed for public safety from the parking lot to the bridge due to heavy snowpack and avalanche danger. The bridge will remain closed during spring runoff, due to structural integrity concerns. Engineers will assess the condition once spring flows abate, with the possibility of repairs later this year. The picnic site and upper overlook trail remain open to view the falls.

Information on the Routt National Forest can be found on our website or on the Forests’ Twitter and Facebook accounts. The Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District office can be reached at (970) 870-2299.

-USDA-