National norests are apparently in need of the coming tune-up. A recently released report notes that visitors are steering clear of Forest Service lands in a trend that began well before the current economic downturn. Nationwide, recreational visits are down 14 percent since 2004 and 18 percent since 2001, and every one of the Forest Service’s nine regions has taken a hit.

The Forest Service report was released July 23 and based on surveys of forest visitors from 2003-08. Though the report does not speculate on reasons for the decline, advocates for free public access to public lands spotlight a recent increase in fees as one reason for the drop in visitors.

“Fees were already driving many families away from public lands, even while times were good,” said Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition. “The economic crisis we’re facing now will exacerbate a very worrisome trend. As household budgets are cut to the bare bones, visiting a national forest will be just another luxury item that can be done without.”

Falling visitation could be significant from a local perspective. The San Juan National Forest averages 1.7 million visitor days annually and contributes significantly to the tourism industry in the Four Corners.

– Will Sands