San Bernardino National Forest  

Fee Areas

The Forest Service has reduced the area in Southern California where the Adventure Pass is required. The changes are the result of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), which was passed in December 2004 as part of the 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

REA allows the Forest Service to charge fees for specific sites, and for heavily impacted recreation areas that have specific amenities, including toilets, parking, trash receptacles, picnic tables, interpretation, and security.

The Forest Service developed national Guidelines to enable the agency to implement the provisions of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA). Section 3(f) of REA provides for fees to be charged in "Areas", which are referred to in the Guidelines as High Impact Recreation Areas (HIRA). REA also authorizes Special Recreation Permits (SRP) for certain areas or recreation activities.

Although only about 13% of Southern California National Forests will require the fee, the Adventure Pass will still be required in many locations that are popular with visitors. The revenues from the fees will allow the Forest Service to continue to maintain trails, clean restrooms, pick up trash, remove litter and graffiti, and provide visitor information and other services.

How do I know where the Adventure Pass is required?

The Adventure Pass is required when your vehicle is parked in one of the listed High Impact Recreation Areas, or if you are parked at a specific Designated Site. You may wish to check both lists to determine whether a recreation fee is required in the area you plan to visit.

• High Impact Recreation Areas

• Designated Recreation Sites

• Questions and Answers related to REA in southern California

Look for these signs when you visit the Forest. Go to, Overview - Where?

Recreation Enhancement Act (REA)

More and more people recreate on national forests and grasslands every year. Meeting the increasing needs of these visitors, delivering quality recreation, heritage and wilderness opportunities, and protecting natural resources has become very difficult. To help address this issue, President Bush authorized the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) when he signed the 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL 108-447) on December 8, 2004. The Act permits federal land management agencies to continue charging modest fees at campgrounds, rental cabins, high-impact recreation areas and at day-use sites that have certain facilities - this authority is for 10-years.

The previous Recreation Fee Demonstration program was enacted by Congress in 1996.  Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior have testified before Congress in strong support of a long-term, multi-agency recreation fee program. Recreation fees provide crucial resources that allow the federal agencies to respond to increased demand on federal lands.  The goal is to provide visitors with a quality recreation experience through enhanced facilities and services.

The southern California Adventure Pass program has under-gone many changes to conform to REA. These changes are being made in stages through 2005 and 2006. For more information, check this website periodically for information updates. Try these links:

• The Challenge of Change

• Questions and Answers related to REA in southern California

• For Information concerning the Forest Service national program, try these links:
  • Recreation Fee Legislation Summary
  • Recreation Fee Legislation Questions and Answers
  • Recreation Fee Legislation
    "Complete text of legislation passed on December 8, 2004"
  • List of National Fee Sites, Areas or Projects
  • Links to National Fee Sites, Areas or Projects