The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is now offering a cashless fee payment option. Sites using this new payment system will utilize an app to accept digital payments, and this will include all trailheads and day use sites that require a fee or pass, as well as most first-come, first-serve campgrounds, including concessionaire operated sites.
Visitors will need to download the mobile application from Recreation.gov when they are in an area with cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Once the Recreation.gov app is installed and an account is set up, the scan and pay application will work offline at recreation sites without service.
After arriving at a recreation site or open campsite, locate the nearest information board and scan the provided QR code using the same mobile device that has the Recreation.gov app. After paying, visitors should write down and display their confirmation code on their car dashboard or campsite post. At recreation sites with no cell service, the payment will be noted as ‘pending’ with the payment going through once service is restored.
Fee tubes will remain available for payment at the campgrounds and trailheads. Cash or check are acceptable forms of payment. Instructions for all forms of payment will be posted at the fee collection stations.
Moving to a cashless system will greatly reduce the amount of time forest staff spend collecting and processing cash and checks. This will increase their availability to help visitors and manage recreation sites. Cashless options offer convenience to both recreation staff and visitors.
Recreation fees are a critical source of revenue used to improve the experience for national forests visitors. Recreation revenues support the maintenance and provide funding for improvements and project work.
For more information on Wallowa-Whitman National Forest recreation, please visit the forest webpage: https://www.fs.usda.
