Earlier this year, I told you about a decision in the 9th Circuit Court that said the US Forest Service’s Adventure Pass was being wrongfully used. The decision said the fee was not illegal, but that it was being vastly overused. The court said people entering National Forests could only be charged fees where improved facilities were available to the public, like permanent toilets, visitors’ centers, parking, trash receptacles, or interpretive signs and kiosks – and not just a trailhead. The initial decision from the 9th Circuit estimated 75% of the areas where the Adventure Pass is currently enforced would no longer need it.

Unfortunately, nothing has happened since then – so now another lawsuit is happening, according to Adventure Journal. The civil suit was filed last week and says the Forest Service has done little, if anything, to comply with the original ruling (read the suit here). The Adventure Pass web site still says you need a Pass when you park anywhere along the road for recreational purposes, regardless of whether or not the grounds have been developed.

The Forest Service has 60 days to respond to the lawsuit.

Image by Dawn Loh.

Tags: 9th circuit court, adventure pass, fees, illegal, lawsuit, National Forests