The following excerpts come from the Forest Service's Public/ Private Ventures Desk Guide. This guide is used by the Forest Service management as a guideline for operating public lands in cooperation with private enterprise.
"...private industry and government, working together to serve the public interest, can accomplish more than either party alone..."
There are traditional views of what types of facilities and activities are appropriate on the National Forest; these views may need to be reevaluated. For instance, to provide a viable business opportunity it may be necessary to consider amenities, or additional sources of revenue such as laundries, electrical hookups, or camp stores, that are not traditionally associated with FS campgrounds.
The campground industry has identified some general standards that should be met to ensure a financially successful operation and investment. Criteria may vary, depending on the location of the project proposal. The following minimum standards may be used to compare typical private-sector developments to FS developments:
Availability of full hookups for water and electricity.
Availability of sewer hookups or dump station
Flush Toilets.
Hot Showers.
Telephone service.
Reservation system.
Seasonal use of 100-150 days.
Average income per site, per night, of $20.
Other highly desirable features include:
Store
Laundry facilities.
Recreation hall.
A project may not be economically viable unless these minimum standards are reasonably attainable.