MUNISING, Mich. (WWJ) – Visitors at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will soon have to pay to see the park.
Park officials announced Monday they will start charging entrance fees on March 1, 2022 – the first step of a three-phase plan that will see fees gradually increased over a three-year period. The park will also be implementing increased camping and lighthouse tour fees starting on Jan. 1, 2022.
National Lakeshore Superintendent David Horne says the fee will provide much-needed funding for improvements at the park, which maintains 63 front-country campsites, 14 backcountry camping areas, more than a dozen historic structures, 100 miles of trails and more.
Earlier this year, a proposal to add an entrance fee and increased fees for camping and lighthouse tours was presented to the public for review and comment. Officials say public comments they received online were mostly positive.
"Many people specifically supported using collected fees for park improvements directly related to visitor enjoyment, access, and health and safety, which is required by policy and law,” officials said in a press release.
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While basic park operations are funded by direct appropriations from Congress, the recreation use fees collected by the park are used to support ongoing maintenance of park facilities and new projects that “directly enhance the visitor experience including maintaining and improving trails, campground facilities, visitor centers, monitoring park resources, and developing the area for future public use, as well as funding seasonal work positions.”
Here’s a look at the park’s three-phase plan to increase fees at the popular tourist destination:
Phase 1 - Effective March 1, 2022:
• Per person walk, bicycle, or boat-in (good for 7 continuous days): $5.00
• Seven-day motorcycle pass: $10.00
• Seven-day vehicle pass: $10.00
• Pictured Rocks Annual Pass (good for 12 months): $20.00
Phase - 2 Effective January 1, 2023:
• Per person walk, bicycle, or boat-in (good for 7 continuous days): $10.00
• Seven-day motorcycle pass: $15.00
• Seven-day vehicle pass: $20.00
• Pictured Rocks Annual Pass (good for 12 months): $30.00
Phase 3 - Effective January 1, 2024:
• Per person walk, bicycle, or boat-in (good for 7 continuous days): $15.00
• Seven-day motorcycle pass: $20.00
• Seven-day vehicle pass: $25.00
• Pictured Rocks Annual Pass (good for 12 months): $45.00
Effective January 1, 2022, campground fees will increase from $20 to $25 per night per site at Little Beaver Lake, Twelvemile Beach, and Hurricane River Campgrounds. Au Sable Lighthouse tours will be $5 per person.
There are also several passes available that provide access to not just the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but more than 2,000 federal parks and lands including national forests and wildlife refuges. More information on these passes can be found on the National Parks Service website.
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