KDWP

Photo Courtesy of KDWP

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host five public meetings this fall to present proposed state park fee changes and gather community input. Locally, a town hall-style event will be held on December 3rd at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan at 6:30 p.m. Fees have not yet changed and must be approved by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission before implementation.

Proposed changes include eliminating the Annual State Park Camping Permit, increasing overnight camping rates from $9 to $15, and adjusting utility site fees by $2–$3. The 14-night camping permit would rise from $110 to $165, while the Seasonal Camping Program would be streamlined with statewide rates of $680 for one-utility sites, $740 for two-utility, and $800 for three-utility.

Vehicle permits would also see adjustments: annual passes from $25 to $40, the State Park Passport from $15 to $30, and daily vehicle entry from $5 to $8.

KDWP officials emphasized rising costs as the driving factor behind the proposals.