No more visiting state parks for free

[Jinglebob]

The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation will start charging $8 to $10 per vehicle at entrances to Oklahoma state parks in the spring of 2020. Out of state visitors will pay more.

One of those parks on the outskirts of Norman is Lake Thunderbird State Park. It's a beautiful place with good fishing and a lot of people go there just to picnic and see the lake.

Although I don't like it, I can understand the reasoning behind the decision. Charging entrance fees will allow the state to tackle overdue renovations, repairs and upgrades that will ensure the parks stay open.

Oklahoma's state parks draw nearly 10 million visitors annually. But at the state's two largest southern parks, Beavers Bend and Lake Murray, many of the 3 million annual visitors come from out of state. Those visitors dump their trash in park dumpsters, use park bathrooms and drive on park roads, but don't contribute to the costs of operating those parks.

 

[gunnails]

Just a counter view.

Those tourist spend lots of money locally and pay their sales tax and support business. More fees= less tourists.

I'm sure OK has taken in record tax revenue recently, more money then ever before, but they NEED more?

Sorry I have no horse in this race, but I couldn't help myself.

 

[slicjoc1]

Wow I've been fishing in OK at state parks. I get their reasons for utilizing the fees to maintain the parks. We just voted in a constitutional amendment in Texas to dedicate sales tax dollars from sporting goods to be dedicated to Texas Parks and Wildlife to accomplish the same. If your 50% or 60% disabled in Texas you can get a disabled veterans pass good for all state parks to gain free entry. I have one but choose to pay the fee to support TPW.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Never have and never will pay to go to any park. The government at all levels gets more than enough of my money. It's not my fault that can't spend my money wisely.

 

[sheepdawg]

They tried it in Tennessee, didn't last long.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Recently at the Smokey Bear Memorial I flashed my Federale Old Guy Card.
The lady smiled and said, no go here, hombre!
This is state operated.
The State of NM does have a yearly entry card but I don't have one.
The Federal Old Guy guy card is pay once,
Valid until you go ambient.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Looks like OK is instituting user fees at 52 of it's 117 state parks, so there are still some no-cost options.

These days, facilities without user fees surprise me, like our SC DNR shooting ranges. Hopefully they use the resources for the parks that generate them and not add them to the general fund.

 

[Rule3]

Consider yourself lucky. Don't most States have fees for State Parks. Mn and WI had fees

Florida has had them forever, Heck you need to pay to use boat ramps or go to a beach

But if you are on Public Assistance (welfare FS)you can get in for free!

 

[Faulkner]

They tried it in Tennessee, didn't last long.

They tried it in Arkansas too and it didn't last long. We have some very nice state parks and due to the user fees visitation dropped off over 50%.

Oklahoma's state parks draw nearly 10 million visitors annually. But at the state's two largest southern parks, Beavers Bend and Lake Murray, many of the 3 million annual visitors come from out of state. Those visitors dump their trash in park dumpsters, use park bathrooms and drive on park roads, but don't contribute to the costs of operating those parks.

I wonder how much those out of state visitors pay in taxes for gasoline, food, and lodging?

 

[Absalom]

I doubt the fees will keep any out-of-state visitors from coming to the parks. In the context of the overall cost of a longer trip, those fees won't matter much. If the parks are worth it, people will come.

What might get reduced a bit are casual visits by the locals ("Let's grab a case of beer and go hang out at the lake!"). Based on my experience working for parks, those tend to produce the most problems including damage and cost.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

IN the 1970's single term Ohio Governor, John Joyce Gilligan, closed Ohio State Parks in a heavy handed ploy to force Ohioans to scream at their state represenitives to pass his bloated budget. The people didn't yell near as much as he hoped, but they did call in and he found out what The People thought of his bloated budget!

The single term Ohio Governor, Dick Celeste, Managed to deplete a $4Billion "rainy day fund" and run the state into several billion of negative spending in 4 years! He was also a single term governor!

Neither of these Ohio Governors spent a dime of their tax and spend budgets on improving parks only on the salaries of the employees that work there.

Ohio opens new parks and rebuilds existing parks without entry fees, there are boat and fishing licenses, camp rental and hook up fees, the operators of state park lodges, pay for the concession to do so. It all has to do with the administrations understanding of what their job is: Social Babysitter or Steward of facilities! Punishing the very people that paid for your job is a proven way to end your job!!! At least it is in Ohio!

Ivan

 

[glenwolde]

Texas fees vary by park...I have no clue how they set them. You can buy an annual pass for $70 which covers one vehicle regardless of the number of people. They also don't require a fishing license in Texas State Parks if you are fishing from the bank or one of their piers. From what I see they are not lacking for visitors.

I don't mind paying for admission to parks. You can look at it two ways.

"I won't pay for admission to a park that's what taxes are for".

"I don't want a tax increase to pay for parks I never use".

One or the other is always true. Let the people who use them help pay for them.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Come on out to Nevada or Calif, for an eye opener.

Lots of fees to enter our Parks!!
It all started when visitors started leaving trash all over the place and just not being nice to "Mother Nature".

Most have nice parking lots and modern restroom for the people, while
keeping the trails and picnic areas in good condition and safe for the public to use.

I like to fish and they sometimes add a ramp fee..........even if there not one , here in Nevada and if that does not hit a nerve, how about one of
California's lakes adding a $10 fee to get launched if your boat has a live well in it!!
One lake in Nevada adds a $20 Garbage fee to fish its water before you even get the fishing or launch fees!!

$8 is not too bad but I have to admit that FREE is a lot better.

 

[Aggie1906]

Michigan State Parks

Wow! Free State Parks? Who knew?
Michigan has charged for as long as I can recall.
Per visit, or annual sticker.
Some while back they came up with an innovation
that let you pay a (lower) annual fee with your auto registration, with a tiny letter on your rear plate sticker.
I think that worked out. Except for park entrance employees who had to check the rear of cars entering.
Now, they are proposing an "opt out" program,
to replace the current "opt in". Sneaky, I think.
Heated up my Libertarian juices.
We'll see what happens.

 

[Daniel Howe]

Wow! Free State Parks? Who knew?
Michigan has charged for as long as I can recall.
Per visit, or annual sticker.
Some while back they came up with an innovation
that let you pay a (lower) annual fee with your auto registration, with a tiny letter on your rear plate sticker.
I think that worked out. Except for park entrance employees who had to check the rear of cars entering.
Now, they are proposing an "opt out" program,
to replace the current "opt in". Sneaky, I think.
Heated up my Libertarian juices.
We'll see what happens.

I just got an annual pass for $10. I don't use the parks very often put I bought one anyway just to help out a little.

 

[ridewv]

How will they charge motorcycles? I always found it unfair when places charge 3 people on three motorcycles (that can park in one spot) 3 times as much as a 8 people in a van.

 

[Watchdog]

It all started when visitors started leaving trash all over the place and just not being nice to "Mother Nature".

It's seriously beyond my understanding what's so hard about picking up your own mess and putting it in a trash can. Or just straightening up a camp site or a picnic area. Or even packing your garbage out. It's a simple task that requires very little physical effort. But someone's always gonna whine, "It was a mess when we got here; I'm not gonna clean up someone else's mess. That's what park staff are paid to do!"

It does make me wonder what some folks' houses look like. I wish I could be a park ranger for a day or two.

$8 is not too bad but I have to admit that FREE is a lot better.

A lot of it was free until shiftless and uncaring people messed things up (literally) for everyone else.

Bottom line for me? If you can't pick up after yourselves, go somewhere else. Or stay home and ruin your own environment.

 

[mike from st pete]

The year after Dr. Beach declared Fort DeSoto park the most beautiful beach, Pinellas County decided to charge $5.00 to park in the park.
The boat ramp, recently expanded was honor system for use.
Now I enjoy going downashore as much as the next guy. What I fail to grasp is the folks with a van full do not get charged more than a single person in a car.
To be fair, as this charge was said to be for clean up and repairs, doesn't the van full do more damage and leave more trash behind? Even if the trash is properly placed in the provided cans.

 

[rubiranch]

Utah State Parks have been charging $8/car load for YEARS!!

 

[Jessie]

I thought these national and state parks were owned by the citizens of said nation and states.
I'm confused. If it were something I owned and needed maintenance and I needed money to do so, I would have to budget somewhere else to make that happen.
We have become a " Gotta have" country. Cost be damned.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

"It was a mess when we got here; I'm not gonna clean up someone else's mess. That's what park staff are paid to do!"

My second son is an avid backpacker, over Thanksgiving we had a discussion about the terrible condition modern people leave the trails and camping sights. He then told me a story fr4om his youth, he couldn't remember who or when, but he was in the woods and came across a campsite that people had cut live trees to make tent/shelter polls, cut live saplings to make tent stakes. It must have bee3n rainy season as the tent area was severely trenched! All he could remember was the group spent several hours repairing the damage! I reminded him the group he was with was his mother, brother and I! The campsite was the one he and I used my last backpacking trip before my stroke! I also reminded him, my opinion of whoever had damaged that site hadn't improved over the last 28 years & * years ago it was very rewarding to see that the recovery 8 years ago!

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it!

Ivan

 

[lawandorder]

The rest of the story for State Parks in Arkansas is .........

...... an amendment to the Constitution was proposed to add a 1/8 th cent sales tax increase ear marked for conservation in the state with revenue split between Game & Fish, State Parks, Dept. of Heritage and Keep Arkansas Beautiful.
Went to the voters once and did not pass , next election it did thanks to the voters of Arkansas.

 

[Rudi]

Just a counter view.

Those tourist spend lots of money locally and pay their sales tax and support business. More fees= less tourists.

I'm sure OK has taken in record tax revenue recently, more money then ever before, but they NEED more?

Sorry I have no horse in this race, but I couldn't help myself.

Oregon State Parks have been charging for years.

 

[dmar]

Great, more money for the state to waste/misuse...

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Yes, it is always those mongrel barbarians from out of state. The natives don't even urinate or defecate and always clean up their trash plant new trees and wash their hands.

 

[Absalom]

Oregon State Parks have been charging for years.

That depends. Oregon has about 250 state parks units; only about 10% of those, the largest ones with campgrounds, developed bike paths, boat ramps, group and horse camps etc., charge entrance fees.