tragusa3 wrote:
Think of Colorado from the perspective of a tourist passing through for only a few days. Buying the annual pass and the high prices combine to rule out State Parks for us. Michigan was the same way (as are others I'm sure).
LOVED New Mexico's SP's!
Pa is also the same way, but no annual or other pass is required.
The cost structure is archaic.
Campsite $15.00 Resident, $20,00 Non Resident.
Then start adding.
Fri/Sat/Holiday/Event Add $4.00
Modern Campground - Definition; has showers. You pay if used or not. Add $4.00
Adirondack Shelter on the site - Pay if you use or not - Add $2.00
Electricity - Add $7.00
Water and Sewer - Add $13.00
Designated Pet site - Pay if you have pet or not - Add $2.00
Extra Vehicle? - Add $5.00
Total $52.00 per night, weekend, with extra car and FHU's. BTW the limited FHU sites are most always located in a designated pet section.
Don't forget to add the $6.50 reservation fee.
To top it off any money received gets dumped into the general fund in Harrisburg, and wasted by the elected criminals on their pet peeve projects. The DCNR is then handed back X amount as a yearly budget appropriation for operation, which is never enough to even begin to cover the operating costs. Add to that the idiotic management of the parks by the DCNR. They'll spend a million to add FHU's to a dozen sites in a single park, but at the same time let existing 45+ yr old substandard electric remain as is, 1960's shower houses / restrooms to sit and rot, and roads that are crumbling remain that way for years. The whole system operates on the good ole boy I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine business model in PA, and is further robbed by the unions every time a contract is awarded.