In an effort to improve management of the environmentally sensitive Homestake Valley in Eagle County, the White River National Forest is imposing fees to camp in sites designated for dispersed camping.
The valley features a meandering creek, wide wetlands with lush shrubbery and spectacular views of 13,200-foot Homestake Peak. Some of the wetlands are peat bogs, called fens, that were created after glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago.
Until last year, dispersed camping in the valley was largely unregulated, but then the forest service began restricting camping to designated sites only. Now, as of Monday, a nightly fee of $20 is required to camp in 44 sites designated for individual use. Two group sites are available, priced at $80.
Fees will be used to clean campsites and fire rings, manage and collect trash, maintain and replace infrastructure and make visitor contacts. Services will be provided by a private concessionaire. Due to limited resources, it is difficult for the forest service to offer those services.
“Having the concessionaire provide more consistent management of this new campground will help reduce impacts and provide visitors a safer, more enjoyable experience,” district ranger Leanne Veldhuis said in a news release.
The valley is located at the edge of the Holy Cross Wilderness. The forest service began designating sites for dispersed camping after seeing increased camping along roads and in environmentally sensitive areas. In addition to dispersed sites, the Gold Park Campground has 12 sites and a vault toilet.
The entrance to the valley at Homestake Road is located at U.S. Highway 24, 11 miles south of Minturn and 20 miles north of Leadville. Visitors can pay for campsites with cash or check at two kiosks, one located near the start of Homestake Road, the other at the Gold Park Campground. Dumpsters are available at those kiosks and firewood can be purchased at Gold Park.
Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis this year, but the forest service plans to make some sites available for reservation next year.
