The Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban restricting the use of outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes, and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection, including all Washington State Parks, through Sept. 30, 2024. This date may be extended or shortened depending on fire conditions. For more information, visit our Alerts page.
Under the new fee rates, standard campsite costs will increase between $3 to $5, partial utility campsite will increase $5 to $6 and full-utility sites will increase $6. This proposal does not change primitive site fees, which would remain $12, or roofed accommodation fees, which vary.
Daily watercraft launching fees will increase to a flat rate of $7, daily moorage per foot charges will increase to $1, daily moorage minimums and buoy moorage will increase to $23, annual moorage per foot charges will increase to $7 and annual moorage minimums will increase to $80.
| Site Type | Peak Season May 15 - Sept. 15 |
Shoulder Season April 1 - May 14 and Sept. 16 - Oct. 31 |
Winter Season November - March |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primitive and water trail campsites | $12 (no change) | $12 (no change) | $12 (no change) |
| Standard campsites | $30 - $42 | $22 - $34 | $22 |
| Partial utility campsites | $40 - $51 | $34 - $45 | $34 |
| Full-utility campsites | $45 - $57 | $40 - $51 | $40 |
The camping fee changes will take effect on May 15, 2025 and the moorage fee changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. However, because visitors can make reservations up to nine months in advance, on Aug. 15, campers will see the new fees when they make reservations for May 15 and beyond.
Parks manages more than 6,400 campsites and 40 marine parks across the state, as well as more than 8,500 feet of moorage in Puget Sound. The agency is funded from a mix of state revenue and user fees, with user fee revenue making up about three-quarters of its operating budget. Parks depends on visitor fees to maintain camping and moorage infrastructure and provide a high level of customer service and recreational access.
Since the last camping fee change, inflation has increased by more than 20 percent, while infrastructure maintenance needs have increased. From fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2023, utility costs increased by 37 percent.
A fee change proposal was presented at the April 10 work session held by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Parks Director Diana Dupuis approved the proposal on April 29.
We understand finances are one of the barriers that prevent equitable access to the outdoors. Currently, Parks provides reduced rates through five pass programs. Almost 17 percent of the value of the camping we provide our customers is discounted. Parks will continue to improve its existing discount pass programs as well as explore other opportunities to provide access to marginalized communities.