Cost to camp at Kansas state parks may be going up with proposed fee changes

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas wildlife officials are considering some big changes to camping fees and other permit costs associated with state parks.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced in a press release

on Aug. 28 that it is currently considering making numerous changes to camping rates and vehicle permit costs for those staying at a state park. The fees will remain unchanged until after a series of public meetings are held across Kansas to gather the public’s feedback on the issue.

The KDWP’s commissioners will need to vote before any of the proposed changes can take effect. The current list of changes under discussion include the following:

• Camping permits.
  • Eliminating the annual state park camping permit as it is unsustainable due to rising operational costs and significant revenue loss.
  • Increasing overnight camping rates.
    • Overnight camping permit increase from $9 to $15.
    • One-utility site fee from $9 to $11.
    • Two-utility site fee from $11 to $13.
    • Three-utility site fee from $12 to $15.
  • Increasing the 14-night state park camping permit from $110 to $165, maintaining the discount equal to three nights off the standard daily camping rate.
  • Streamlining the seasonal camping program into a single statewide tire, offering people a $100 discount based on the utility site type:
    • One utility site fee of $680.
    • Two utility site fee of $740.
    • Three utility site fee of $800.
• Vehicle permits.
  • Increasing the annual state park vehicle permit from $25 to $40.
  • Adjusting the state park passport from $15 to $30.
  • Increasing the senior/disability annual state park vehicle permit from $12.50 to $20.
  • Raising the daily state park vehicle fee from $5 to $8.
  • Raising the senior/disability daily state park vehicle fee from $2.50 to $4.

“Utility and operational costs for our state parks have risen nearly 45 percent since 2016,” said Conner O’Flannagan, KDWP state parks director. “These proposed changes are necessary to ensure our parks remain safe, well-maintained, and accessible to all Kansans, both now and for future generations.”

Kansans will have a limited number of opportunities to take part in the discussions on this subject. A series of meetings will be held across Kansas at the following locations in a town hall-style:

• 5 p.m. on Sept. 3 at Hillsdale State Park Shooting Range located at 26719 Toe Rd, Paola, KS 66071.
• 5 p.m. on Sept. 23 at El Dorado State Park Shooting Range located at 2980 NE Shady Creek Access Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042.
• 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Mariah Hills Golf Course located at 1800 Matt Down Ln, Dodge City, KS 67801.
• 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Union 208 – Black and Gold Room (Second Floor) in Hays, KS 67601.
• 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center located at 315 S 3rd St, Manhattan, KS 66502.

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