Army Corps announces day-use fees for local recreation sites

By Reader Staff

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Oct. 27 that day-use fees will be introduced at a number of recreation areas on Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River.

Though fees had been waived, with the Corps citing the high cost of collection, an increase in the volume of visitors and digital payment tools that make collection more cost-effective will result in the return of paid access to the Albeni Cove, Priest River, Riley Creek, Springy Point and Trestle Creek recreation areas starting in May 2027.

Day-use activity passes will cost $5 and will be required by visitors when those sites open for the season. Passes must be purchased using a QR code on-site or, if users plan multiple visits throughout the season, they can buy a USACE annual pass or choose from a variety of America the Beautiful passes — both of the latter available at recreation.gov. 

To purchase a day-use pass, users will need to use their smartphone to scan a QR code located on the parking lot signage at the site they’re visiting and follow the link to complete their purchase. Otherwise, users can buy a pass using the recreation.gov mobile app.

The Corps emphasized in an announcement that all visitors — except registered campers — must possess a valid pass for day-use. 

“Visitors who buy their pass on-site do not require a paper ticket. Park rangers will use their license plate number to digitally verify compliance,” the Corps stated. “USACE strongly recommends those who buy their pass in advance to print a hard copy and display it on their vehicle dashboard.”

Passes do not guarantee a parking space and parking outside designated areas is prohibited. Doing so may result in fines or towing. 

The $5 day-use pass is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens and valid for one vehicle until 11:59 p.m. on the specified date of their visit. An annual USACE pass costs $40 and is also eligible to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. 

America the Beautiful passes come with a range of options, and give passholders access to day-use entry at thousands of recreation areas managed by federal agencies across the country.

The digital resident annual pass is $80, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and open only to U.S. citizens and residents. Non-U.S. residents can buy an annual pass for $250, also valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Free lifetime passes are available for U.S. citizens and residents with permanent disabilities, as well as Gold Star veterans and their family members, and current U.S. military servicemembers and their families can get free passes valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. If those passholders wish to have a physical pass, they must pay $7.50 for shipping.

Fourth-graders in the U.S. can also receive free passes, valid through August 2027, including homeschoolers and free choice learners 10 years of age.

U.S. citizens and residents 62 and older can get a lifetime pass for $80 or an annual pass valid for 12 months from the date of purchase for $20 — plus $7.50 in shipping for a physical pass. 

Go to recreation.gov for more information and to buy passes

Representatives with the Corps’ Seattle District and Bonneville Power Administration will host a joint open house from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Sandpoint Center (414 Church St.).

Members of the public are invited to speak directly with subject matter experts, ask questions and learn more about operations and projects at Albeni Falls Dam, including water management, the spillway gate replacement project, fish passage, and invasive species and recreation management.

To receive email notifications for Albeni Falls Dam outflow changes and near-term lake elevation projections, email [email protected] and request to be added.