New National Pass Will Change Tonto Fee Program

The coming new year will usher in some changes for visitors to the nation’s public lands, & frequent visitors to the Tonto National Forest may be in store for a pleasant surprise.

America the Beautiful -- the National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands -- Pass, which combines the benefits of existing recreation passes from 5 different federal agencies, will go on sale beginning Jan. 2nd, 2007. The national interagency pass program features an $80 Annual pass, a $10 Senior Pass good for life, a free Access Pass also good for life & a new Volunteer Pass. The new pass system replaces the current Golden Eagle, Age & Access passports, as well as the National Parks Pass. Golden Age & Access passport cards that have already been issued will continue to be honored for the holder’s lifetime.

The new passes cover recreation opportunities on public lands managed by 4 Dept. of the Interior agencies - the National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, & the Bureau of Reclamation, & by the Dept. of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service.

On the Tonto National Forest, those with a valid Golden Passport of any type or one of the new interagency national passes will be able to purchase a Tonto Upgrade sticker good at most daily fee recreation sites on the forest.

“In the past, we have charged recreation pass holders $30 for the annual Tonto Upgrade,” said Forest Supervisor Gene Blankenbaker. “However, the new national interagency Annual Pass will sell for $80 per year, whereas the annual Golden Eagle Pass sold for $65. Rather than pass this national price increase along to our users, we have decided to reduce the cost of the Tonto Upgrade to $15.”

“The good news for holders of Golden Age or Access Passports or new interagency Senior & Access passes is that they can enjoy all of the daily fee recreation sites on the Tonto – from Roosevelt Lake to the Lower Salt River; & from Bartlett Lake to Needle Rock – for only $15 a year. Seniors & access pass holders will continue to receive a 50% discount on daily use fees without the upgrade.”

The national interagency passes will be available at participating federal agency offices in January. The Tonto Upgrade is only available at Tonto National Forest offices in Phoenix, Cave Creek, Mesa, Payson, Roosevelt, Globe & Young.

“A national interagency pass with the annual Tonto Upgrade is a great alternative for frequent visitors to the Tonto’s lakes & rivers,” said Blankenbaker.

“A daily pass to these sites for a vehicle with a watercraft is $10, so it only takes 10 visits in a year to pay off. For seniors & citizens with a permanent disability who qualify for an Access Pass, a $15 annual fee for access to more than 50 recreation sites on 5 lakes & 2 rivers is an amazing value.”

For more information about recreation fees on the Tonto National Forest, call 602-225-5200 or visit fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.