Variable pricing for camping and admission to Wisconsin state parks appears to be paying off
A new pricing system for camping and daily admission in the Wisconsin state park system that allowed for higher rates at some of the most popular parks helped drive up revenue in key measures in the last half of 2018.
The Department of Natural Resources reported Wednesday that daily admissions, annual stickers and camping revenue rose 10% in the last six months of 2018 over the same period in 2017.
Revenue from admissions and camping increased by just over $1 million to $10.6 million during the July 1-Dec. 31 period — the first six months the pricing changes were in play.
The increase came despite a slight dip in attendance last year, which the agency attributed to periods of poor weather, such as flooding that temporarily closed some parks and state trails. Attendance at the parks totaled more than 17 million visitors in 2018.
The figures were detailed at the monthly meeting of the Natural Resources Board meeting in Madison.
“It’s certainly a positive,” Chris Pedretti, section chief of business operations for the state parks system, said in an interview.
He cautioned, however, that six months is too short a period to establish a trend.
The DNR made the changes, which it describes as “demand-based pricing,” after the Legislature cut out all general purpose funding for parks operations and directed the agency to find new ways to increase revenue and work from the dollars it generated.
One initiative: A plan starting in February 2018 to increase fees for camping at 38 properties during different periods and cutting prices at 36 others.
The biggest increases are $7 per day and the biggest cuts are $5 per day.
The increases are taking place during designated periods when occupancy rates are 80% or higher. Price cuts are intended at campgrounds where occupancy is 30% or lower during certain periods.
Also, daily entrance fees at three of the most popular parks — Devil’s Lake, Peninsula and Willow River — all increased.
For example, the price of daily admission for Wisconsin residents at Devil’s Lake increased from $8 to $13.
Patricia Loosen, executive director of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, said her organization supported the price changes because it allowed market factors to play more of a role. While that meant higher prices for popular parks, Loosen said the goal of the pricing could encourage campers to try underutilized campgrounds.