Fee retention authority has not solved CG closures during shoulder seasons. FLREA authorizes FS to use at least 80% of receipts and put them back into the area where collected. Some hoped this would, among other things, result in keeping CGs open longer - didn’t happen, some say. In some cases, CG late opening/early closures may have substantial impact on local economy.

One big reason for campgrounds still being closed in the shoulder seasons is the widespread use of concessionaires. Once a concessionaire is given a lease on a campground, they are responsible for its upkeep, all year round. If they can't make a profit in the shoulder seasons, they lock the gate, put up the CLOSED sign, and walk away. If the FS were directly in charge, part of the cost of upkeep would come from their appropriated funding, the campground would not have to entirely pay its own way, and the citizens who own the land and pay the taxes would have improved access. The FS might have to provide reduced services in the slower seasons, but that would be an acceptable tradeoff for having access.

Completely agree with @kbenzar. We don't necessarily need someone replacing toilet paper in a campground restroom every day during the off-season. Signs asking users to carry their garbage out can reduce the cost of trash removal (don't lock the dumpsters because the garbage will just end up in the pit toilets or on the ground). Campgrounds should be open year round and concessionaires have no business on our public lands.