Changes may be coming for the Cienegas and Empire Ranch sites. The Tucson Field Office (TFO) of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing that visitors be charged $10 per vehicle for day use visits to the the 42,000 acre Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA) north of Sonoita. The LCNCA currently charges no fees for visitors to the area, which is a popular destination for tourists, equestrians, hikers, birders and ATV riders.  

The BLM is also proposing a $15 per vehicle camping fee, a $100 fee for camping groups up to 75 people, and a $200 fee for groups of 76 or more. Visitors could purchase an annual day use pass for $40.

“This pass will be a great value for local community members who regularly visit these sites for day uses,” states the BLM Tucson Field Office Recreation Fee Sites and Areas Business Plan, issued in early September, which outlines the rationale behind the fee proposal.

The report notes that while staffing funding has remained the same, visitation to Las Cienegas has increased dramatically since 2019 when 69,567 people visited the site. By 2023 the number of visitors had increased to 160,422. 

“Under the current funding levels provided through appropriated funding, the TFO does not and will not have the capacity to continue to keep up with the current maintenance needs,” the report states. “The TFO has seen a significant increase in both resource damage from overcrowding and maintenance needs such as trash disposal and restroom maintenance. These have caused the recreational opportunities and the quality of those opportunities to degrade in the units identified in this business. 

“Through enacting the fees changes proposed in this business plan, the TFO looks to more effectively manage recreation use and improve infrastructure to add capacity and enhance the quality of recreation experiences at these sites.”

The report also states that BLM looked at offering reduced fees for local residents, but that they do not have the authority to provide discounts. 

There are few details about how BLM will implement the proposed changes in the report. The report does not state whether fee collection and enforcement will necessitate hiring more employees, and if the day use fees will discourage visitors to the historic Empire Ranch headquarters.

The BLM is accepting public comments on the proposal to charge fees to visitors to the Empire Ranch and Las Cienegas. Email TFObusinessplan@blm.gov with the subject line “TFO Business Plan.”

The deadline for submitting comments is October 21.

Comments can also be mailed or delivered to the BLM Tucson Field Office, 3201 E. Universal Way, Tucson AZ 85756.