Pictured: Henrys Lake State Park
Idaho State Parks recently announced all camping and entry fees for non-residents will double at select state parks starting June 10th, 2021.
The daily, non-resident entry fee at Bear Lake, Farragut, Hells Gate, Priest Lake, and Round Lake will be $14, while at other State Parks, Idaho residents and out-of-state guests will continue to pay the same $7 entry fee.
The annual Motor Vehicle Entry Fee will go from $40 to $80 for non-residents. The Idaho State Parks Passport will remain $10 for residents.
Camping fees at Farragut, Henrys Lake, Ponderosa, Priest Lake, and Round Lake will also double. An electric-only will cost $60 a night, and full hookups will cost $64 for non-residents.
Residents will continue to pay the $24 and $32 fee which was previously available for all.
In 2020, the reservation window at Henrys Lake, a popular campground outside of Yellowstone National Park, ran through Labor Day. This year the reservation window runs through early October with the park switching to first-come-first-served after.
“The changes will keep Idaho competitive with surrounding states, which have similar surcharges for out-of-state guests,” says Susan Buxton, director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. “Even with these increases, our parks are a good value given the exceptional recreational opportunities at our parks.”
Idaho State Parks set a visitation record last year with nearly 7.7 million people coming to the parks, an increase of 1.2 million over the previous record. Nearly 30% of visitors were out of state.
The change follows a long line of states looking to deal with specific problems plaguing their state park campgrounds.
What are your thoughts on resident vs. non-resident camping fees? Let us know in the comments below.
