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Contact: Jill Hamilton-Anderson, 912-882-4336 x257
Release Date:May 23, 2016 Contact:Jill Hamilton-Anderson, e-mail us, 912-882-4336 x257 Cumberland Island National Seashore Proposes Entrance Fee Increase and Camping Fee RestructuringSAINT MARYS, GA –The National Park Service is requesting that national parks across the country engage the public on proposed fee rate changes to meet the standard pricing rate for entrance fees. This is the first proposed increase since 2006. Cumberland Island National Seashore is gathering public comment on this proposed entrance fee increase and the restructuring of its camping operations.The public is invited to learn more and comment on this proposal through social media, email, phone calls, and the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website. The comment period will open immediately, and a deadline for all comment submissions will be June 20th, 2016."We are committed to keeping the park affordable but we also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience," said Cumberland Island National Seashore Superintendent Gary Ingram. "The money from camping and entrance fees is used to improve park facilities, infrastructure, and provide for enhanced visitor services."
Park entrance fees would increase from $4 per person for those 16 years or older to $7 per person for those 16 years or older. Additionally there is a proposed increase to the Cumberland Island Annual pass from $20 to $30. This pass provides entrance for the card holder plus three additional people. Entrance fees are valid for 7-days from the date of payment. Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Senior, Access, Military, or Volunteer Passes. These passes may be obtained at the Park.
Camping is a very popular activity for Cumberland Island visitors. Currently those making a reservation are asked to contact the park by phone during afternoon hours to schedule the reservation. In an effort to provide the easiest and most convenient reservation experience to visitors, the park is moving to an online reservation system hosted by the National Recreation Reservation System, otherwise known as Recreation.gov. In order to improve convenience, campers will be able to see campsite availability and pay for their camping reservation online or by phone at the time they make their reservation. The proposed prices for campsites are based on comparable campgrounds in the local area. Entrance fees will continue to be collected at the park. Funds collected through entrance fees and camping have been used in the repair of historic buildings, stabilization of archaeological resources, roof replacement on park buildings, restoration of the Dungeness area landscape, and support of visitor services at the mainland visitor center. Additional revenue raised by a fee increase would continue to enhance the visitor experience by continuing to improve facilities and providing more programming options for park visitors. The park is collecting public comment now until June 20, 2016. Comments are being collected by emailing the park at e-mail us with the subject heading "Fee Changes";calling 912-882-4336;posting on the park Facebook page located at https://www.facebook.com/CumberlandIslandNPS/. Comments may also be posted on the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website located at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ or mailed to 101 Wheeler Street, Saint Marys, Georgia31558, ATTN: Fee Changes. Public comments provided prior to the deadline will be considered when determining the future of park entrance fees and camping operations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last updated: April 3, 2023