DNR Hasn’t Finalized Camping, State Park Fee Increases

Camping and state park entrance fees could go up and hybrid vehicle owners will pay more for license plates under state budget provisions that go into effect Jan. 1.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials say they haven’t made any final decisions about when and where camping and state park fees could increase in the new year.

The Republican state budget contains provisions that go into effect Monday allowing DNR Secretary Dan Meyer to raise camping fees by as much as $15 per night as sites of his choosing and park entry fees by as much as $5 per day at parks of his choosing.

DNR spokesman James Dick says no final decisions about where to raise fees or by how much have been made. He said the agency hopes to put something together “early in the new year.”

He said DNR officials will present the fee schedule to the agency’s board but the panel won’t take any action on it.

The budget also calls for increasing hybrid vehicle registration fees by $75 and electric vehicle registration fees by $100.

Other budget provisions that take effect Jan. 1 include permitting school districts to hold referendums only twice a year and reducing benefits for government employees’ domestic partners.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 with comments from the DNR.