America’s State Parks
Lackawanna State Park, Pennsylvania. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
Throughout America, state parks are struggling.
These are your parks. Get out and enjoy them.
What do Ohio, Tennessee & British Columbia Have in Common?
Ohio, Tennessee, and British Columbia are among a handful of a few states and Canadian provinces that DO NOT CHARGE ENTRY FEES to their parks. Admission is also free to park users in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Alberta, and Manitoba.
Park fees vary in other jurisdictions. The following is a sampling of day-use fees currently in place:
Alabama $1-3/person
Arizona $2-20/vehicle
California $3-15/vehicle
Colorado $7-8/vehicle
Connecticut $9-22/vehicle
Delaware $3-8/vehicle
Quail Gate State Park, Utah. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
Florida $4/vehicle
Idaho $5/vehicle
Kansas $3.70-4.20/vehicle
Massachusetts $2-9/vehicle
Minnesota $5/vehicle
New Mexico $5/vehicle
New York $6-10/vehicle
Montana $5/vehicle
Ontario $10.75-19.25/vehicle
Oregon $5/vehicle; some parks free
Saskatchewan $7/vehicle
Texas $1-5/person
Utah $5-10/vehicle
Vermont $3/person
Wisconsin $7-10/vehicle
State Park Pass
Shenandonah River State Park, Virginia. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved
The state park entrance pass system works differently in each state. Many states offer some sort of pass that allows for unlimited entry at most state parks, while other offer park passes on a park-by-park basis.
Other State Park News
Gov. Dave Heineman of Nebraska vetoed a bill that would have increased annual resident permits for state parks and recreation areas from $20 to $25 and nonresident permits from $25 to $30.
Raising fees during these difficult economic times is not the appropriate way to better Nebraska’s state parks, Heineman said in his veto letter. Nebraskans have had to cut their spending, and they expect the same from government, he said.
Details
Discovery Pass
The Discovery Pass can be purchased at almost 600 sporting goods stores and other retailers statewide next month. The pass can also be purchased online or by calling 1-866-320-9933. Starting next fall, the state Department of Licensing also plans to sell the pass.
Worth Pondering…
Your travel life has the essence of a dream.
It is something outside the normal, yet you are in it.
It is peopled with characters you have never seen before and in all probability will never see again.
It brings occasional homesickness, and loneliness, and pangs of longing.
But you are like the Vikings or the master mariners of the Elizabethan age, who have gone into a world of adventure, and home is not home until you return.
—Agatha Christie, British mystery writer