Here's what to know about the changes in camping fees at Washington State Parks
Washington State Parks is updating its camping and moorage fees for 2025, and if you plan to make reservations for next spring, you may be seeing the change soon.
According to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the fees update is “to support its operations amid inflation impacts and rising costs.”
Changes coming to camping fees will take effect on May 15, 2025, while the moorage fee changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Visitors making reservations up to nine months in advance will see the new fees reflected on August 15th, 2024, for reservations made for May 15th, 2025 and beyond, according to the State Parks.
So how much change will you see?
The new rates will have standard campsites increase between $3 to $5, partial utility campsite will increase $5 to $6 and full-utility sites will increase $6.
The State Parks also indicate that “this proposal does not change primitive site fees, which would remain $12, or roofed accommodation fees, which vary.”
For basic standard camping during peak season right now, the cost is $32, and that will be increasing to $37. For the shoulder season, it will go up from $25 to $29, and during the winter the increase will see $20 go up to $23.
As for daily watercraft launching fees, that will increase to a flat rate of $7, daily moorage per foot charges will increase to $1, daily moorage minimums and buoy moorage will increase to $23, annual moorage per foot charges will increase to $7 and annual moorage minimums will increase to $80.
According to Washington State Parks, “reduced rate camping is provided to those eligible through five discount pass programs, equating to roughly 17 percent of the value of the camping we provide.”
Washington State Parks manages more than 6,400 campsites and 40 marine parks, as well as more than 8,500 feet of moorage in Puget Sound.
So if you’re going to be making those 2025 reservations soon, don’t be surprised if the cost is higher!
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