Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Prospectus for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service issued this Special Notice on November 3, 2025, soliciting applications for a concession campground special use permit to operate and maintain government-owned recreation facilities within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest located across Nevada and California. The prospectus covers 19 to 21 developed recreation sites spanning the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts, with an average gross revenue of $680,680.31 annually. The permit will be issued for an initial five-year term beginning January 1, 2027, with a potential five-year extension option. A critical errata document issued on February 13, 2026, significantly revised the three-year average gross revenue figures downward by 33 to 67 percent from original estimates, reflecting corrected calculations that include camping fees, day use fees, and firewood sales less annual taxes paid by the concessionaire. The prospectus is structured as a Granger-Thye concession agreement, which authorizes private operators to manage federal recreation resources under special use permits.

Prospective applicants must submit comprehensive applications by March 2, 2026, including a proposed annual operating plan, business plan, financial resources documentation, proposed public fees, and a proposed fee to the government with a calculated minimum annual fee of $31,379.36. The Forest Service will evaluate applications using a non-fixed weight method prioritizing criteria in the following order: operating plan, business plan and experience, financial resources, public fees, and government fee. Successful concessionaires will be responsible for operating and maintaining all facilities, managing utilities and waste, providing customer service, conducting water system maintenance, performing safety inspections, implementing wildlife mitigation measures, and complying with all Forest Service policies and environmental guidelines. While the prospectus does not specify formal eligibility restrictions, applicants must demonstrate adequate financial resources, operational experience with recreation facilities, and the capacity to maintain high-quality public service standards at multiple locations with varying elevations and operating seasons. Campground site fees range from $16 to $34 for single sites with additional vehicle fees of $6, and the concessionaire must also manage seasonal operations typically spanning late May through early October depending on location.