The recreation fees collected at recreation sites is part of a demonstration program designed to help maintain the cost of Federal recreation facilities, to enhance visitor services and amenities, and to protect wildlife resources. Under Congressional authority, the BLM, USDA Forest Service (FS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the National Park Service (NPS), can experiment with innovative approaches for collecting and assessing recreation fees and are authorized to retain all of the revenues collected.

DOI bureaus, the BLM, FWS, NPS, and the Forest Service can select a minimum of 10 pilot recreation sites for the collection of fees under the program. BLM now has approximately 190 fee projects. The law states that "not less than eighty percent of the revenues must be spent at the site where they are collected, and the remaining revenue (up to 20%) may be used on an agency-wide basis" if necessary.

The revenue collected can be spent on increased maintenance of existing facilities; repairing roofs; paving and grading roads; expanding parking lots; repairing equipment and vehicles; adding communication systems; repairing flood damage; repairing, replacing, and installing new fences, bridges, water systems, and restrooms; repairing and installing boat and fishing docks and access ramps. Many of our camping areas have been retrofitted to allow access for people with disabilities. We have improved the conditions of our campgrounds through expanding and improving fire grates, picnic tables, landscaping, tent pads, trails, restrooms, and parking areas. We have improved and issued new interpretive guides and maps; and have added new and improved interpretive signs and exhibits.