Domain Due Diligence
Report for Recreation.gov
Why we think so?
Recreation.gov is a large, established website operated by a government contractor to facilitate reservations and permits across more than 3,600 U.S. public recreation sites. It attracts over 6 million monthly visits primarily from US users and employs reputable technology providers like Amazon and Akamai. The site uses secure HTTPS connections and official domain registration dating back to 1998. Legal disputes have focused on the transparency and fairness of nonrefundable fees labeled as "junk fees," though there is no evidence of fraudulent theft or hacking. Users have criticized the fee structures and service experience, resulting in lawsuits that were eventually withdrawn. Overall, the site serves as the main government platform for booking federal recreation services, but users may encounter frustrating fees and practices.
Risk Insights
Established Government Platform
- Domain active since 1998 with government registration.
- Supported by major providers like Akamai and Amazon AWS.
- Primary site for U.S. federal recreation bookings.
Junk Fee Controversy
- Multiple lawsuits claimed unauthorized fees.
- Fees include lottery and cancellation charges.
- No criminal fraud found, but user dissatisfaction is high.
Contradictory Signals
The site serves official purposes but faces criticism over cost transparency.
Signal A: Legitimate government-operated platform
Signal B: Accusations of exploitative fee practices
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Class-action lawsuits accuse Recreation.gov of charging unauthorized 'junk fees' that benefit the private contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton.
- Users and reviews commonly describe the site experience as frustrating with opaque fees and difficult refunds.
🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis
Domain registration and ownership
Score: 80/100
Domain registration and ownership
"Long-standing domain with government-related registrar enhances trust."
Reason: The domain was registered in 1998 under a government registrar with consistent ownership and privacy protections.
Website technology stack and security
Score: 85/100
Website technology stack and security
"Technological infrastructure supports security and reliability."
Reason: Uses recognized providers like Akamai and Amazon CloudFront with valid HTTPS certificates.
Reputation and user reviews
Score: 60/100
Reputation and user reviews
"No proof of fraud, but concerns about fairness and transparency persist."
Reason: Multiple user complaints and class-action lawsuits over nontransparent fee practices impact reputation negatively.
Legal and business disputes
Score: 55/100
Legal and business disputes
"Legal disputes raise caution about business practices despite no current active lawsuits."
Reason: Legal actions have occurred but were withdrawn; issues around fee legality remain open.
Your Next Steps
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1
Be aware that Recreation.gov charges nonrefundable processing and lottery fees which may not be clearly disclosed upfront.
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2
Read all fee and cancellation policies carefully before making reservations to avoid unexpected charges.
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3
Consider alternative official sites or direct park contacts if possible for booking and permission needs.
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4
Report any suspicious charges or lack of service through official consumer protection channels.
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5
Monitor ongoing news or legal updates regarding Recreation.gov fee policies.
Evidence & Citations
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Lawsuit alleges Recreation.gov is cluttered with junk fees, seeks refunds
Reports and legal context about fee disputes and user complaints.
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Recreation.gov traffic and technology data
Shows high traffic, reputable tech providers, secure connections.
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Recreation.gov domain WHOIS and SSL certificate details
Confirms domain age, registrar, and valid SSL usage.
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