Change to Muir Valley Parking Policy

[FoMV]

We want to thank the climbing community of Red River Gorge for your
support of Muir Valley.

We have some important news to share with you concerning changes for
the 2016 climbing season.

As you know, Muir Valley is one of the most popular climbing
destinations in North America, with over 40,000 visitors each year.
This enthusiastic utilization requires significant resources to
maintain and operate the preserve, as well as continue ongoing
improvements such as vault toilets in the valley, emergency response
system upgrades, and new trail development. FOMV is fortunate to
steward such an amazing place, and we couldn’t do it without the
dedication and support of the climbing community.

Muir has become so popular, however, that our parking lots are full
to overflowing most weekends and some weekdays throughout the
climbing season, necessitating the hiring of staff to manage the busy
lot, and occasionally visitors have had to be turned away when we
reach capacity.

We are developing a plan to achieve a fairer distribution of support,
and to avoid over-crowding, by charging a fee for parking at Muir
Valley. Climbing in the Valley will remain free, but we will
institute a daily parking charge of $10 per car starting March 1,
2016. Visitors may purchase a 2016 annual parking permit for $120,
and we will provide a laminated ID to display on the dashboard while
visiting. All revenue raised by parking fees will go to FOMV and
will be used to operate, maintain, and further enhance Muir Valley.
Parking fees will augment the donations made by our generous
supporters, enabling us to continue making Muir such a special place
to climb, hike, and enjoy nature.

Beginning in March, there will be a kiosk as you enter the Muir
Parking area. We will have staff present as much as practically
possible to assist you, to process your cash or credit/debit card
payment, and to give you a receipt to display on your dashboard while
parked. At other times, when it is not practical to staff the kiosk,
the plan will operate on an honor system with instructions and
routine monitoring, as is done in many other climbing areas. In case
the kiosk is not staffed, please plan to bring $10 cash (per car, not
per person) so that you can use the honor system.

Alternatively, you may go to MuirValley.com, complete an application
for an Annual Muir Valley Parking Permit, and pay $120 by PayPal,
credit, or debit card. We will then send a laminated Annual Permit
(good until Dec 31, 2016) to your postal address.

Thank you for your support and cooperation. We value your feedback
as well as your support. If you have questions or comments, please
contact us at FOMV.publicity@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing
you in the spring!

[johnwesely]

Any chance of making this a weekend only thing?

[FoMV]

Parking lots will be staffed Friday-Sunday during the climbing season and on holiday Mondays and other especially busy times such as spring break. At other times, parking will run on an honor system with periodic monitoring. FOMV will review the policy annually and make changes as needed to optimize.

[milspecmark]

I think this is great news. This will prob put more pressure on climbing areas outside of Muir though. I am thankful for Miller Fork and the continued growth and development of the Red. I have absolutely zero issues paying $10 for access.

[Nick]

Over the years I have often thought that a parking fee like this would be a reasonable and a great thing for Muir Valley. On nice weekends it is always insane how full that parking lot can get and it often makes you want to just turn around and find somewhere else to climb. The $10 pass is not going to damage anyone's wallet and you will always know that it's going towards the upkeep of the place. So many people drive just from Miguel's, LoftA, etc. campground to the parking lot, an increase in carpooling would be great (I'll just pay the $10 bc I'm antisocial).

While there has been a lot of Muir Valley "bashing" on this site, mostly by people who have already climbed the majority of the amazing routes, it remains one of the best climbing destinations in the country and is just another fantastic place to climb in the Red among many. There have been silly arguments against the management and development of Muir, but with the popularity and heavy usage of the area, to think that a laissez faire approach to land management will work and be sustainable is ridiculous. I have never climbed on shitty/scary hardware in Muir and even on crowded days often find premier cliffs to myself.

I give huge kudos to FoMV and can't wait to spend spend some days there this season!

[Spikeddem]

Will an annual pass be tied to a license plate or will it be tied to the pass owner?

[FoMV]

Thanks for the great question Spikeddem! Annual permits will be tied to the individual, not the license plate. The permit holder will need to be present in the vehicle for the permit to be used, but may arrive in any vehicle.

[FoMV]

I think this is great news. This will prob put more pressure on climbing areas outside of Muir though. I am thankful for Miller Fork and the continued growth and development of the Red. I have absolutely zero issues paying $10 for access.

Thanks for the positive feedback! For clarification, Muir Valley "access" is free for climbing, hiking, and generally enjoying the area. If you arrive on foot, bicycle, by flying saucer, or thumb a ride with other climbers heading to Muir, you do not pay to climb. The fee is for use of a parking spot only. So encourage your friends to carpool

[climb2core]

Is there an alternative free parking option that is within reasonable walking distance?

[FoMV]

Is there an alternative free parking option that is within reasonable walking distance?

If you stay at Fincastle Campground, it is a short walk.