Fee Waiver Weekend Kicks Off Busy Schedule at Lake Como

The Bitterroot National Forest is waiving all day use fees this weekend at the Lake Como Recreation Area at Darby. The Fee Waiver Weekend is part of a national effort by the Forest Service to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities national forests have to offer. The fee waiver applies only to Day Use sites including picnic areas, group day use sites, and visitor’s centers; not to campgrounds, group overnight use or rental cabin fees.

“Fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands and over two thirds of developed recreation sites can be used for free,” said Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King. “We hope people take advantage of Fee Waiver Weekends and also the many camping, sightseeing and hiking opportunities which can be enjoyed throughout the year at no cost.”

This weekend’s activity is just the start of numerous improvement projects scheduled at Lake Como. Funding for the projects come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will enhance access to recreational opportunities, improve efficiency of use, provide for visitor safety, and help address maintenance issues at developed recreation sites.

Rock Creek Group Site Closure

The Rock Creek Group Site located across from Rock Creek Horse Camp will be closed starting August 16th for reconstruction. A pavilion, new outhouse, picnic tables, and a group fire ring will be installed. Parking and road improvements will also take place. Currently, there is not a location within the Lake Como Recreation Area to accommodate larger groups, family gatherings, weddings, reunions, etc. The improvements are scheduled to be completed this fall and the new site will be added to the public reservation system.

Upper Como Campground Closure

Upper Como Campground will be closed for reconstruction starting Sept. 7th. The reconstruction will include replacing fire rings and picnic tables, installing four walk-in tent camp sites (equipped with table, fire ring, tent pad and walkway to the site), installing two new outhouses, and adding a new loop with additional sites. The campground is in need of reconstruction as the fire rings are worn, tables are falling apart and the camp spurs are highly eroded and too narrow to accommodate many vehicles. The improvements are expected to take several months and the campground will likely not be open until next spring.

Later this month, the Darby Ranger District will also be removing the dock at the boat launch area and swim line at Lake Como as they do each year, when water levels drop.

Trailhead Improvement Projects are also happening at trailheads across the Bitterroot National Forest. The project includes replacing old information boards and registration boxes and installing new signs.

For questions or comments, please contact the Darby Ranger Station at (406) 821-3913.