Date: January 4, 2016
Contact: Bob Krumenaker, 715-779-3397 ext. 1101
Contact: Neil Howk, 715-779-3397 ext 1302
Contact: Julie Van Stappen, 715-779-3397 ext 1601
At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, changes to recreational fees went into effect January 1, 2016, following extensive public input. Recreational fees are used to provide a wide range of visitor services, including keeping visitor centers open, providing lighthouse tours, helping to maintain trails, boardwalks, docks, and outhouse facilities, and providing additional services needed during ice cave events. Specific goals for additional revenue raised by these fee changes include: repairing the amphitheater at Stockton - Presque Isle, improving the Otter Island dock, and improving accessibility in many places in the non-wilderness areas of the Apostle Islands.
Responding to popular demand, in 2016 the park is also joining www.recreation.gov, an online camping reservation system, which will allow people to make their own reservations and print their camping permits without coming to the park visitor center. There will be a new $10 per reservation fee for this service.
“We are committed to keeping the park affordable but we also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience,” said Superintendent Bob Krumenaker. “Almost all of the revenue from these fees stays here at the Apostle Islands, and is used to fund visitor services and infrastructure repair and improvements that directly affect the visitor experience. The park’s deferred maintenance backlog is $8 million and we’re committed to nibbling away at this to the best of our ability.”
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2014, more than 290,000 park visitors contributed $54 million to the local economy and supported over 700 local jobs related to tourism.
Fee Changes Include:
| |
2015 Fee |
2016 Fee |
| Camping Fees: |
|
|
| Overnight-individual site |
$10 |
$15 |
| Overnight-group site |
$20 |
$30 |
| Camping Reservation fee (per trip) |
$0 |
$10 |
| Boat Fees: |
|
|
| Overnight docking boats<40feet |
$10 |
$15 |
| Overnight docking boats>40feet |
$20 |
$30 |
| Interpretive Fees: |
|
|
| Interpretive program, adult |
$3 |
$5 |
| Interpretive program, family |
$8 |
$10 |
| Parking Fees: |
|
|
| Meyers Beach, daily, <20feet |
$3 |
$5 |
| Meyers Beach, annual, <20feet |
$15 |
$25 |
| Meyers Beach, daily, >20feet |
$5 |
$8 |
| Meyers Beach, annual, >20feet |
$25 |
$40 |
| Overnight Bayfield Visitor Center lot, all vehicles |
$0 |
$10 |
