A new concessionaire has been found to oversee recreation sites in the Plumas National Forest. Following a competitive process that was initiated last October, the Forest Service has selected Royal Elk Park Management to run the forest’s 36 sites.
The management group has hired staff and begun preseason operations, including marking and removing hazard trees, cleaning up debris from roads, spurs, and campsites, and opening water and sewer systems.
Easing the stress on your pocketbook, fees will not be increased from 2023 rates for the recreation sites and will not be increased for the next three years of their operation, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Even better, extra vehicle fees for campsites have been decreased to $5 per day per vehicle for a second or third vehicle in a campsite. Annual season passes for boat ramps and day-use sites are also available.
Royal Elk Park Management’s special use permit is authorized for five years, with the option to extend it for an additional five years.
The Plumas National Forest has also provided summer recreation updates as crews continue to recover from recent wildfires.
Forest officials stress that the Feather River National Recreation Trail and surrounding recreation area remain closed as repairs continue following the North Complex Fire.
While work has been completed in the restoration process, officials say substantial work remains to make the area safe.
The main concern is heat exposure, with trail temperatures feeling over 20 degrees higher than forecasted. Priorities along the trail include medical evacuation zones, trail repair, and the construction of a new campground near the trailhead. Plans with Mooretown Rancheria include installing shade structures as rest stops for hiker safety and developing interpretive panels sharing cultural information about the area.
District leadership hopes to reopen the area next spring.
A final change happening in the Plumas National Forest: you can prepare for a slight change at the Gold Lake Campground and Gold Lake 4×4 Camp in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area.
Gold Lake Campground will be first-come, first-served while Gold Lake 4×4 Camp will now require advance reservations. You will need to make these at least 3 days before the visit and up to 30 days in advance. Restroom facilities are not available and you will be responsible for your own waste disposal.
All current forest conditions can be found by visiting the forest service’s webpage.
