One of the best places to hike, mountain bike or ride horses in the foothills east of Fresno is no longer free.

Starting Feb. 1, visitors to the San Joaquin River Gorge will pay $5 each, and there will be additional charges for camping and interpretive programs in what the Bureau of Land Management is a calling a "modified fee plan." Annual passes will be $25.

The BLM announced in June its intention to begin charging fees at the 7,000-acre recreation area five miles northwest of Auberry by publishing a Federal Register notice.

The agency received fewer than 50 public comments about the fee proposal, according to a news release. Most were in general opposition to fees without specifically addressing the San Joaquin River Gorge.

Those comments didn't sway the BLM from implementing fees. But the agency did reduce previously announced costs for annual passes and interpretive and educational programs.

Besides the $5 day use fee, individual campsites will cost $10 per day, double/triple campsites $15 and the group campground will be $175. Interpretive and educational programs will cost $10 per person. Special permits are still required for group events.

The fees are expected to generate about $50,000 annually, all of which would be used on operations, maintenance and to expand visitor services, park manager Tracy Rowland said.

Proposed improvements include adding a shade structure to the group picnic area and permanent restrooms in the horse camp and fishing access areas, creating new interpretive exhibits and adding a self-guided interpretive trail.

The San Joaquin River Gorge received more than 83,000 visitors in 2009. That's well up from 6,450 total visits in 2002, the first year those were monitored.

Most visitors come during the fall, winter and spring to make use of 22 miles of non-motorized trails on both sides of the San Joaquin River for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Other activities include fishing, hunting, bird watching, caving and kayaking.

Park fees must be deposited at one of four Iron Rangers using the normal "yellow envelope" system. Day-use fees don't apply to "America the Beautiful" Golden Age or Golden Access pass holders.

To purchase an annual pass, contact the BLM's Bakersfield Field Office at (661) 391-6000.