Collection of day-use fees will be expanded at both Sutton and Burnsville Lakes. Automated fee machines have been installed in Riffle Run and Bulltown Day-Use areas as well as Sutton’s Bee Run Recreational area and the area directly behind the Dam.
Beginning Monday, May 16, visitors will be expected to pay a $5 fee to launch boats in the Riffle Run and Bulltown areas. Bulltown Beach users will also be expected to pay the $5 fee for use of the beach. Customers will receive a receipt to display in their vehicle dash, face up, where the date can clearly be seen. Park Rangers will periodically check the vehicles within the areas to ensure payment. Once the fee is paid, it is good for all day-use areas that day. However, only credit card payments will be accepted going forward – no cash will be collected.
At Sutton automated fee machines have been installed at Bee Run and at the South Abutment areas and visitors will be expected to pay the $5 fee to use the areas. Anyone parking on the paved parking lot for any reason will be subject to the fees.
Customers with Annual Passes, Senior Passes, Golden Age Passes, Golden Access Passes, or other relevant America the Beautiful Passes do not need to stop at the fee machines. Passes must be properly displayed on the vehicle dash or in a hanger on the rear-view mirror so they can be seen from the outside of the vehicle.
Annual Day-use passes may be purchased at the fee machines for $40. Customers have 10 days to take their Annual Pass receipt to the Burnsville Lake Office or to the Bulltown Campground Entrance Station to exchange it for a hard pass.
The move is being made to discontinue the handling, accounting, and security challenges of accepting cash, and to better align with national Corps of Engineers policy. Boaters have been assessed these fees since 1996. Boat ramp users will continue to be required to pay the fee at Riffle Run Day-Use Area and Bulltown Day-Use Area at this time. All vehicles parked in Bulltown Beach Parking Lot will be expected to pay the day-use fee.
At Sutton Lake the fee structure will be implemented on May 1. Annual Day use passes may be purchased at the fee machines for $40. Customers have 10 days to take their Annual Pass receipt to the to exchange it for a hard pass at the Lake Office or to the Gerald R. Freeman Campground Entrance Station.
Boat users have been assessed these fees since 1996 and have competed for parking and amenity usage with other visitors who were not assessed the fee. All vehicles parked in Bee Run and the South Abutment areas will be expected to pay the day use fee.
Owner of Sutton Lake Marina have announced that each slip holder or boat rental customer will be issued a pass if adequate space is not available in the Marina’s gravel lot.
For more information, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District Public Affairs Office at (304) 399-5353.