New fees in 4 OHV permit zones will come into effect next year

PHOENIX — Those who enjoy off-roading in Arizona’s wide-open spaces will be hit by new fees in several recreation areas in the Tonto National Forest.

The new fees will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. They will fund better facilities and services, according to Tonto National Forest officials.

In fact, Kelly Araiza, Tonto’s off-highway vehicle (OHV) program manager, said the fees will help maintain recreational sites in permit areas.

“We have listened to visitors to our forest who have expressed their desire for additional amenities and improved maintenance at these sites,” Araiza said in a press release. “Adding and restructuring these fees will allow us to achieve this.”

What are the new fees for off-road permit areas in Mesa, Cave Creek?

The Tonto National Forest has five OHV permit areas. Two of them currently charge a $6 admin fee, while the other three are free.

But this will change at the beginning of next year on the following four sites:

• Bulldog Canyon (Mesa Rangers District).
• The Rolls (Mesa Ranger District).
• Desert Vista (Cave Creek Ranger District).
• St. Clair (Cave Creek Ranger District).

Additionally, the fee will be implemented in the Lower Sycamore OHV permit area in the Mesa Ranger District on a date to be determined, once National Environmental Policy Act requirements have been met.

The new price list is as follows:

• Annual permit: 80$.
• Six month permit: $60.
• Three-day permit: $10.

Public discussions preceded the final fee changes. Officials wanted to make sure the fees reflected Arizonians’ needs for well-maintained areas.

How will the new licensing zone fees impact off-road enthusiasts?

Fees collected at recreation sites will be used to fund services such as trash removal, toilet pumping, cleaning and painting.

Not only that, but it will also help maintain trails, campsites, and more.

Authorities will also use tax money to create additional toilets in recreational areas.

Additionally, they will add information kiosks, improve trail access, stabilize gravel and improve amenities like dumpster services.

Finally, they will make sure to monitor the success of these improvements to understand how sustainable they are. Officials will be careful to adjust any improvements they make to ensure they meet recreational trends.

“We had to take into account the increasing costs of maintenance and other requirements to develop a fee structure that could be sustainable while still meeting the needs of recreational users who provided comments and input for the fee proposal,” a Araiza said.