The fee increase is overdue, Jackson County Recreation and Parks Director Rusty Ellis told Jackson County Commissioners, explaining that it hasn’t been raised at all in the 18 years he’s worked for the county. The campground has significantly lower rates than similar campgrounds in the region, he said. The rate for a primitive campsite had been $10 for county residents and $12 for out-of-county campers, while the rates for sites with full hookups were $14 and $16, respectively. 

“We’re going through some updates and electrical issues, as well as some plumbing,” Ellis told commissioners. “I think it’s a good time right now to go up on some of those fees.”

Ellis asked commissioners to raise fees by $3 per night for all sites, which commissioners agreed to unanimously with the amendment that fees for Jackson County residents would stay the same for all sites except for group camping sites, which would be subject to an across-the-board increase. 

“I think that would help our local people,” said Commissioner Boyce Dietz. “I think it would also encourage them to use that, and we’d like more use.”

Ov average, only about 18 percent of the campground is full. Of those who have used it in the past two years, 30 percent are from Jackson County while the remaining 70 percent came from elsewhere.