Fee hikes on tap for lodgings at state parks

Capitolwire

HARRISBURG — Fees are increasing for some accommodations at Pennsylvania’s state parks during a time of record public use due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the revised fee schedule in a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin last month.

The price hikes affect rentals for modern and rustic cabins, deluxe and camping cottages, marinas, boat storage racks and rooms at The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park. The higher fees apply to reservations occurring on or after Jan. 1, 2022.

DCNR is also making some changes to its reservation cancellation and change policies.

“The updated price schedule is needed to fine-tune the existing rates and to increase revenue to the [Bureau of State Parks],’’ DCNR said in a statement in the Bulletin. “In addition, the schedule, which is comparable to those of state parks in neighboring states, will narrow the gap between State Parks in this Commonwealth and private facilities, resulting in a more favorable competitive climate for the private sector.”

There are no entrance fees at state parks.

Here are several examples of the fee hikes:

• A weekly rental of a family cabin for state residents will increase from a current range of $407.55-$637.74 to a new range of $449 to $816.

• Seasonal use of a boat storage rack will increase from the current range of $37 to $100 for a resident to a range of $37 to $120.

• The nightly rental for a state resident using a single room at The Nature Inn will increase from the current range of $110 to $196 to a range of $110 to $264.

Nonresidents pay higher fees for some accommodations.

The notice came several days after DCNR officials told an advisory council that the increase in visitors has put strains on the park system’s aging infrastructure.

However, agency spokesman Terry Brady said the fee increases are not directly tied to the higher park visitation since the pandemic hit Pennsylvania last March.

“The Bureau of State Parks uses the model of a market-based pricing structure for use fees,” Mr. Brady said. “The recent pricing ranges advertised in the Pennsylvania Bulletin were generated after a detailed analysis of the current market. PA State Parks rates were compared with the surrounding state park systems and 20 private businesses across the commonwealth that provide accommodations comparable to PA State Park facilities.”

The bureau estimates that the fee increase will generate approximately $600,000 in additional revenue over the next two fiscal years, he said.

State park attendance increased to more than 46.9 million in 2020, compared with 37 million in 2019, a 26.6% increase. The Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council heard presentations recently from John Hallas, state parks bureau director, and State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger about efforts by staffers to respond to the wave of new visitors.

The increased visitor demand has come against a backdrop where the state parks and forests face a backlog of an estimated $1 billion in needed infrastructure work.