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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Requests Comments on Fee Increase
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore » Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Requests Comments on Fee Increase » Document List
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) is requesting public comment on increasing both entrance fees and camping fees beginning January 1, 2018. The National Lakeshore is a "Group 2" park in the four-tier system established by the Department of Interior and is increasing entrance fees to its assigned structure of: Entrance Pass of $20, Annual Entrance Pass of $40, Motorcycle Entrance Pass of $15, and Individual Entrance Pass of $10 ($20/40/15/10). Although the assigned fee structure was supposed to have been implemented back in 2009, the National Lakeshore received approval to delay the increase - and then phase it in over two increments. The first increment was put in place in 2016 - from $10/20/5/5 to $15/30/10/7. Now, all fee collecting parks (120 out of the 417 National Park Service units) have been instructed by the Secretary of the Interior to raise entrance fees to the full level of their assigned tier by January 1, 2018. Camping fees in Platte River and D. H. Day Campgrounds will increase by $4 per night, as shown in the table below. Camping fees are derived through comparability reviews with similar camping facilities in the local area.
"The idea of increasing fees is always troubling," said National Lakeshore Superintendent Scott Tucker. "But the fact of the matter is we depend on fee revenue to maintain the facilities and services that people expect. We are committed to keeping the park affordable, but we also want to provide visitors the best possible experience. These fee changes are still an incredible value when compared to other family and recreation opportunities. Plus, 80% of those funds stay right here at the National Lakeshore to benefit our visitors."
The National Lakeshore is seeking feedback about the proposed fee schedule.
Please click "Open for Comment" to review the proposed fee schedule and provide your input.
Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services
(231) 326-4725
"The idea of increasing fees is always troubling," said National Lakeshore Superintendent Scott Tucker. "But the fact of the matter is we depend on fee revenue to maintain the facilities and services that people expect. We are committed to keeping the park affordable, but we also want to provide visitors the best possible experience. These fee changes are still an incredible value when compared to other family and recreation opportunities. Plus, 80% of those funds stay right here at the National Lakeshore to benefit our visitors."
The National Lakeshore is seeking feedback about the proposed fee schedule.
Please click "Open for Comment" to review the proposed fee schedule and provide your input.
Contact Information
Merrith BaughmanChief of Interpretation and Visitor Services
(231) 326-4725