Mark Twain Lake, January 6, 2010 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake is announcing the availability of the 2010 Annual Day Use Passes.  The 2010 annual passes can be purchased in person, or by telephone, at the Mark Twain Lake Project Office during normal operating hours, Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  Individuals are encouraged to bring current hangtags when purchasing renewal passes.  Passes will also be available at the Ray Behrens and Indian Creek Campground fee booths after campgrounds open April 2, 2010.  The “hang tag” passes sell for $30 each and will permit the holder and accompanying passengers to use all day-use facilities at Corps-operated parks. Golden Age and Access Passports are no longer issued by the Corps. However, previously issued passports will be accepted.  Holders of the new federal recreation pass “America the Beautiful-Senior Pass” and “America the Beautiful-Access pass will receive a 50% reduction. New passes may be obtained in person at the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service facilities.  

        Day use fees are charged for the use of certain boat ramps and beaches at Mark Twain Lake.  These fees help offset operating and maintenance costs at Corps facilities to assure public demand for high quality recreation opportunities is met.  Visitors who do not wish to purchase an annual pass may pay a daily use fee of $1 per person, up to $4 per vehicle, for the use of the developed swimming beaches and a fee of $3 for boat launching at ramps that have additional amenities.  One-day passes may be purchased at each of the following areas:  boat ramps located at Ray Behrens, Robert Allen, South Fork, Stoutsville, Indian Creek, and Spalding Recreation Areas and at the beach located at the Spalding Recreation Area. Persons displaying a Corps of Engineers campground registration tag are exempt from paying day use fees during the period for which the camping registration covers.

        For more information on recreation day use fees, please contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at 573-735-4097 or visit the office north of the dam on Hwy. J.