Pennsylvania State Parks to increase campground rates

[George Miklas]

Source: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/res...21-spfees.aspx

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">New rates set for state park facilities in 2008
For the first time since 2001, rates for overnight accommodations, boating and picnic pavilions will be increased to help maintain the quality of Pennsylvania state parks and support their operation and maintenance.

The new price schedule will be effective on Jan. 1.

"An overnight stay in a state park cabin or a family reunion picnic at one of our pavilions is still a great bargain,"� DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. "This new pricing schedule makes Pennsylvania state parks comparable to neighboring states, and is well below the inflation rate for the period since 2001.

"Pennsylvania remains one of only a few states that do not charge an entrance fee to visit our state parks,"� DiBerardinis said.

For 2008, prices will represent about a 10 percent increase over the current rates, with the exception of camping where the base price will increase by $3 per night. In 2009, prices will increase about 10 percent over the 2008 prices with a camping base increase of $2 per night.

Elsewhere, a rustic campsite with no electricity on a weeknight now costs $10. The cost will increase to $13 next year. Fees that are added for weekends, sites with electricity, modern campsites and other additional amenities will also be modestly increased.

A modern cabin that sleeps eight for a week at the current weekly rate without sales tax is $371. The 2008 rate will be $408.

"Since 2002, we have invested more than $175 million in state park facilities by upgrading bathhouses and restrooms; improving marinas; repairing and replacing dams that create lakes; improving environmental education centers; adding trails and other recreational opportunities; and working to eliminate a backlog of maintenance,"� DiBerardinis said. "All of the money collected through state park fees is used for their operation and maintenance, and we will use this price increase to continue that work."�

The current price schedule and the 2008/2009 prices can be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us (choose State Parks, then Prices).

Reservations made prior to Jan. 1 for the use of facilities in 2008 will not be affected by the new price schedule, unless the reservations are changed after Jan. 1.

Pennsylvania has one of the largest park systems in the country with 117 state parks and it accommodates about 36 million visits a year. Usage rates for state park facilities, for the most part, are at capacity during peak seasons.

To make an online reservation at a Pennsylvania state park, visit www.visitPAparks.com. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You can also access their 2007, 2008, 2009 price schedule here http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...2008prices.pdf

[George Miklas]

Source: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/res...21-spfees.aspx

Quote:

New rates set for state park facilities in 2008 For the first time since 2001, rates for overnight accommodations, boating and picnic pavilions will be increased to help maintain the quality of Pennsylvania state parks and support their operation and maintenance. The new price schedule will be effective on Jan. 1. "An overnight stay in a state park cabin or a family reunion picnic at one of our pavilions is still a great bargain,"� DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. "This new pricing schedule makes Pennsylvania state parks comparable to neighboring states, and is well below the inflation rate for the period since 2001. "Pennsylvania remains one of only a few states that do not charge an entrance fee to visit our state parks,"� DiBerardinis said. For 2008, prices will represent about a 10 percent increase over the current rates, with the exception of camping where the base price will increase by $3 per night. In 2009, prices will increase about 10 percent over the 2008 prices with a camping base increase of $2 per night. Elsewhere, a rustic campsite with no electricity on a weeknight now costs $10. The cost will increase to $13 next year. Fees that are added for weekends, sites with electricity, modern campsites and other additional amenities will also be modestly increased. A modern cabin that sleeps eight for a week at the current weekly rate without sales tax is $371. The 2008 rate will be $408. "Since 2002, we have invested more than $175 million in state park facilities by upgrading bathhouses and restrooms; improving marinas; repairing and replacing dams that create lakes; improving environmental education centers; adding trails and other recreational opportunities; and working to eliminate a backlog of maintenance,"� DiBerardinis said. "All of the money collected through state park fees is used for their operation and maintenance, and we will use this price increase to continue that work."� The current price schedule and the 2008/2009 prices can be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us (choose State Parks, then Prices). Reservations made prior to Jan. 1 for the use of facilities in 2008 will not be affected by the new price schedule, unless the reservations are changed after Jan. 1. Pennsylvania has one of the largest park systems in the country with 117 state parks and it accommodates about 36 million visits a year. Usage rates for state park facilities, for the most part, are at capacity during peak seasons. To make an online reservation at a Pennsylvania state park, visit www.visitPAparks.com.

You can also access their 2007, 2008, 2009 price schedule here http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...2008prices.pdf

[Joe-K]

Thanks for posting the information.

Like everything else, I suppose the price increase was inevitable. We've been commenting for a couple years that PA had the best camping prices around and when you consider they don't charge a reservation fee it was really a bargin.

I suppose now with the $ 3.00 per night increase, it is about the same as charging the Ohio reservation fee.

One good thing is that the we'll pay the 2007 rate for sites reserved for dates in 2008 if you reserve before January 1st.

For the usual Bedford weekend, we've locked in the cheaper rate.

[Superslif]

I may do the same with reserving before the end of the year. If you also noticed they went ahead and put another fee increase in for the 09' season (another $2) increase.

[NLOVNIT]

So, was our Shawnee reservation I made in Nov priced at the new or the old prices? Our reservations were made before the price increase news came out. I printed out the confirmation, but it just gives the total price, not the breakdown per day.

I guess I could do the math, but it hurts my brain.

L-

[Frank P. Martin]

L-

It was the old rate (at least it was for me). I checked Quicken and I paid $48.00 for my 2007 reservation and the same amount for 2008.

[NLOVNIT]

So, kudos go to Mike for getting us all to reserve Shawnee so early, huh?

L-