This Jeremy Collins illustration of Red Rock National Conservation Area appeared in the Alpinist 28 Crag Profile (signed prints are available on jercollins.com). The Bureau of Land Management recently proposed a fee increase for camping and accessing the loop road in Red Rock. [Illustration] Jeremy Collins
The Bureau of Land Management has drafted a business plan that would increase entrance, picnic reservation and camping fees at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area–the popular climbing area outside Las Vegas and the featured Crag Profile destination in Alpinist 28.
Day pass fees for the scenic loop road would increase from $0 to $3 for bicycles and pedestrians; $5 to $7 for cars; $2 to $3 for motorcycles; and from $2 to $5 for each person on a commercial tour bus. An annual loop-road pass would cost $30 instead of $20. Campsites at the BLM site would cost $15 each per night instead of $10, and group sites would cost $40 each per night instead of $25. Though still free for drop-in use, reserving Red Spring Picnic Area would cost $40.
The draft is in the review phase. The bureau will accept public comment on the plan through November 16, 2009. The plan will be revised and could go into effect as early as March 2010.
Amenity fees have not increased at Red Rock’s scenic loop road for more than 10 years, the bureau said, and the size of the conservation area has more than doubled since 1990.
BLM held two public meetings on October 22 to answer questions and accept comments. The land manager clarified that, by law, money raised from fee increases would be applied toward projects at Red Rocks. However, the BLM has not yet prioritized the money.
“This is your chance to let the BLM know what you would like to see the money go toward,” a representative from the Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council wrote on mountainproject.com. “For example, if you would like to see the money go toward trail maintenance, submit that information.”
Comments on the draft plan should be emailed to redrockbp@blm.gov or sent by mail to:
BLM / Red Rock Business Plan Comments / 4701 N Torrey Pines Drive / Las Vegas, NV 89130.
The business plan proposal comes amid discussion of the BLM’s upcoming Wilderness Management Plan draft. Read more about that precedent-setting document in Alpinist’s October 2009 High Camp.