Beginning yesterday, April 26, the management of seven key recreation sites in California’s Inyo National Forest transitioned to Vista Recreation under a new permit arrangement. This management shift includes the introduction of a $10 day-use fee at the popular June Lake Beach, while the fee structure at the other sites will remain unchanged.
The change to concessionaire management addresses staffing shortages that have affected the forest’s ability to manage these campgrounds effectively. The sites under concessionaire include Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Campground, Cottonwood Pass Walk-in Campground—also known as Golden Trout Backpacker Campground—Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground, Lower Lee Vining Campground, Moraine Campground, and Aspen Campground.
“The Inyo National Forest made this change because limited staffing over the last few years has been insufficient to adequately manage this popular day-use site,” Adam Barnett, public services staff officer for the Inyo National Forest, said in a press release.
At June Lake Beach, the new fee policy provides an exemption for campers accessing the site on foot from nearby campgrounds. For all others, the fee will be applicable, with adjustments to parking lot hours during peak season to accommodate the influx of visitors.
For Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy 10 drive-in campsites, each equipped with its own corral and hitch rail, providing direct access to the scenic Cottonwood Pass, Cottonwood Lakes, and Trail Pass Trails.
Under the new management, Vista Recreation will employ paid camp hosts and oversee regular maintenance and cleaning operations across all sites. These enhancements are designed to elevate the visitor experience while maintaining the existing fee model for the other six sites.
The updated concessionaire permit is established for a ten-year term, an extension from the previous five-year agreements. This longer term will facilitate substantial investments in campground renovations and renovation of outdated water systems.
The decision to extend the permit term follows a 2023 prospectus issued by Inyo National Forest, which called for proposals to operate and maintain 76 government-owned recreation facilities.
