Adventure Passes?

Anyone know what california has officially decided to do with them? Still required, or not? I know the whole debate about not being able to determine use of facilities etc....
Thought I'd read that they're going away but I believe they still sell them. Thanks.

latimes.com/opinion/opinion…

Based on this article, they are still valid for use of developed areas. Looks like you don't need them to pull over to the side of the road to hike or climb.

Thanks Frank. I haven't been using mine for that and have had no issues. My main concern is with staying in a primitive camp (is it developed or not? There's a pit and tent pad), or wilderness area camp ( this is cool, right? Not developed, I'm a mile out) for overnights. Rules seem a little vague here.

I think calling the Forest Service is your best bet for an interpretation. Or you can just go with wild guesses from guys like me on the Internet. :)

Every county has their own rules and decides on whether to prosecute or not. For example, here in Ojai Adventure Pass tickets are given but they have never prosecuted 1 person for not paying the suggested fee. Other places like Malibu do. Calling the Forest Service will only result in them telling you that you should pay the fee...whether it's true or not. It's better to do some internet searching for the area you're planning on camping at. Don't forget that the Adventure Pass IS essentially double taxation. The very thing that the Boston Tea Party started from. You already pay your Federal taxes to have access to federal land. Taxing on a local level is unconstitutional. But...it's true that not much of our federal taxes get to our local areas anymore. Do some local research to figure out whether the Adventure Pass is enforced in your local area and then also decide if you want to support your local forest crews and port-a-potties and drive in camping spots through the fee.

I believe if you have a National Parks annual pass, just throw that on your dash and you're good. (I imagine almost every CA climber has one of these or a friend/partner who does)

Nope, The national parks pass is different then entering federal land national forests.

Jon Hartmann wrote:Nope, The national parks pass is different then entering federal land national forests.

At some Forest Service areas, the National Parks pass is accepted and at some it is not. For example, the USFS in Idyllwild told me a parks pass would work in lieu of an Adventure Pass when parking at Humber Park. That was about four years ago, and I've used the America the Beautiful (federal lands pass) every year since without problem there.

Ranger person at Tahquitz didn't know a few months ago and said no problem. Guessing they just don't enforce there.

[hold on while I consult google]

Although:
"The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series

A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation"

Standard Amenity Fee Area

Standard Amenity Fee Area are authorized under Section 3(f) of the legislation. This section defines "Standard Amenity Recreation Fees" and states that such fees can be collected in an area that provides significant opportunities for outdoor recreation and has substantial Federal investments. The agency must be able to collect fees efficiently in the area, and the area as a whole must contain the following amenities:

Designated developed parking
Permanent toilet facility
Permanent trash receptacle
An interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk
Picnic tables
Security services

fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/p…

I think I'm good with that bit of research.

Oh and the loopholes for not requiring an adventure pass are huge.

You could move a rock on the trail and claim you were "volunteering". You could say your religion is Rock Worship. Etc. Seems if you ever got the ticket, a simple letter would easily get you out of any collection of fees.

Matt.

Thanks for the link to the Adventure Pass page. It also says:

The Adventure Pass is not a national pass like the America the Beautiful Interagency Passes. It is a local regional pass, required only on the four forests listed above. America the Beautiful Interagency Passes are also accepted at all locations where the Adventure Pass is required.

I learn something new everyday.

The ticket is toothless. There are no consequences for NOT paying it. Simply throw it away and go on with your life.