I’ve spent a lot of time following the travails of the California state budget and how it has affected California State Parks and park hiking trails.
The recent budget cuts, both by the state legislature and the governor’s line-item veto pen, has led the parks system to raise entrance fees and camping fees.
Here’s the skinny about higher fees from a California State Parks press release:
State Park Camping and Day-Use Fees to Increase,
Partners Sought to Help Keep More Parks Open
California State Parks day-use and camping fees will increase and begin to help offset recent
budget reductions and help keep more parks open. Partners in the public and private sectors are still
being sought, as the fee increase will help keep some parks open, but not all.
“In these dire economic times, we can no longer afford to keep our fees at their current levels,”
said State Parks Director Ruth Coleman. “The people of California understand that by charging more,
we will be able to keep more parks open and preserved for these and future generations.”
Beginning Aug. 17, day-use parking fees will increase by $2 to $5, and camping fees will
increase by $10 – $21 a night. Camping reservations made prior to that date will be honored at the
lower price.
Annual Passes will go back on sale immediately at the existing price of $125. In future months,
additional fee and pass increases are possible as State Parks assesses how the partnership program
stretches the reduced budget funding to help keep parks open.
A list of specific parks where fee adjustments will occur will be made available when they go into
effect. In deciding which parks will receive a fee increase, and by how much, park managers are
evaluating attendance, with higher fees charged where demand is greatest. In that way, the fee
increase will have the least effect on attendance, resulting in a revenue gain. Managers will watch
revenues closely, and may make adjustments to particular fees throughout the year.
It should be noted that these increases do not raise park revenues to the level of self-sustainment
for the system. Doing that would require steep increases that would price people out of
their public park system. These increases are another tool in the efforts being taken by California State
Parks to keep more parks open during this time of budget cuts and employee furloughs.
The department continues to seek support from cities, counties, corporations and nonprofit
organizations who may want to sponsor or operate particular parks to help keep them open. Further,
park managers have been reducing services and modifying their operations by closing portions of parks
and reducing operating hours.
“We have loyal visitors who truly love our parks,” added Coleman. “We will do our best to
maximize the use of additional funds so that parks continue to be available for public enjoyment.”
