Gov. Dayton and the DNR have proposed increasing entrance fees at Minnesota State Parks from $25 to $30 for an annual permit and from $5 to $6 for a daily permit. The proposed fee increase would generate an estimated $1.3 million in additional revenue per year. Entrance fees for Minnesota State Parks last increased in 2003.
The House budget (HF 888) would double the fee increases proposed by the Governor and the DNR. Under the House proposal, state park entrance fees would be $35 for an annual permit and $7 for a daily permit.
Increases beyond $5 for an annual permit and $1 for a daily permit would make Minnesota’s state park entrance fees the highest among neighboring states and would discourage people, especially low-income families, from visiting state parks. One of the top priorities of Minnesota State Parks (and the Legacy Amendment) is to connect more Minnesotans to the outdoors. As lawmakers consider state park fee increases, they need to be careful and have a good understanding of how much prices can be increased without significantly reducing park use.
The fees proposed in the House budget (HF 888) would make Minnesota’ state parks the most expensive in the Upper Midwest and nearly half of current state park visitors would be less likely to visit.