Wisconsin DNR to increase camping fees at most popular parks; cut fees at parks that get less traffic
The Department of Natural Resources is rolling out plans for a new pricing system for camping and daily admission at state parks that will mean higher rates at the most popular campgrounds and price cuts at parks not as popular.
The DNR is raising fees for camping at 38 properties at various times this year and is cutting fees at 36 others. The biggest increases would be $7 per day and the biggest cuts would be $5 per day.
Also, the daily entrance fees at three popular parks — Devil’s Lake, Peninsula and Willow River — would increase.
The changes have been approved by DNR Secretary Dan Meyer and will be reviewed by the Natural Resources Board at its next regular meeting on Jan. 24 in Madison.
The DNR says the new pricing is expected to take effect after Feb. 15.
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The agency is retooling the fee structure after the Legislature in 2015 cut all general-purpose funding for the parks system. At the time, lawmakers directed the DNR to shift to a new business model and rely solely on fees and other revenue it can generate.
The change brought criticism from many Democrats who said fee increases would fall hardest on those looking for affordable types of recreation.
In an interview on Thursday, Ben Bergey, state parks director, said the changes are projected to generate an additional $1.1 million annually for the parks system.
The parks system should be able to avoid a shortfall and some users will be able to pay less for some camping sites at certain times of the year, Bergey said.
Campgrounds (summer):
Prices would increase for campgrounds that have an occupancy rate during designated periods of 80% or higher. By contrast, price cuts would go into effect for campgrounds with an occupancy of 30% or less during designated periods.
The pricing changes are driven by customer demand, meaning that in some cases, campers will pay higher prices in some seasons for some sites and less in other times of the year.
Devil’s Lake and Peninsula state parks, for example, would see an increase of $7 for an electrified site on summer weekends and a $2 increase for a nonelectrified site.
Camping fees already vary between parks. With the changes proposed, a resident camper at Devil’s Lake and Peninsula would see prices rise from $30 to $37 on the weekend in the summer for a site with electric service — a 23% increase.
Devil’s Lake gets more than 2.5 million visitors annually, according to Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park. Peninsula attracts more than 1 million people annually, says Friends of Peninsula State Park.
Willow River, High Cliff and Kohler-Andrae would see an increase of $5 for sites with electric service.
The increases would be the same for resident and nonresident campers.
Bergey said the high prices at peak periods for these popular parks will help the DNR manage capacity.
Daily entrance fees (year-round):
The daily entrance fee for Devil’s Lake would increase from $8 to $13 for Wisconsin residents, up almost 63%. For nonresidents, it would also increase by $5 — from $11 to $16.
A smaller increase of $2 is planned for Peninsula and Willow River. Residents would pay $10 for a daily entrance fee and nonresidents would pay $13.
Charges for hourly fees at parks, prices for annual stickers and discounted fees for Wisconsin residents 65 and older would not change.
The price increases and decreases will be built into the reservation system, Bergey said, allowing users to see the price changes over the course of the year.
One example of a price decrease, he said, is at Lake Kegonsa State Park. A nonelectric site on weekdays would drop from $20 to $15, he said.