Rental Fees Increasing For PA State Park Cabins, Marinas, More

PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources is increasing prices for rentals at state park fees this year.

According to the department, new fees will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022.

The increases were published in the Volume 51, Issue 4 of the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Jan. 30.

This move increases the fee ranges for modern and rustic cabins, yurts, deluxe and camping cottages, marinas, boat storage racks and categories of rooms at the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park. Details of the new pricing is featured below.

A DCNR representative told Patch the fee increases are not connected to higher levels of visitation and/or the pandemic.

Pennsylvania is unique in that its state parks have no entrance fees and such increases in fees are not new.

"Each year the same process is followed and the outcome varies based upon the market analysis," the representative said.

According to the DCNR, overall fees typically rise at rate consistent with inflation and such increases are part of a standard process that is implemented annually.

An example of increases is the weekly rental of a family cabin for state residents went up from a range of $407.55 to $637.74 to a new range of $449 to $816.

Non-residents pay higher fees for some accommodations.

State parks rates were compared with the surrounding state park systems and 20 private businesses across the commonwealth that provide accommodations comparable to Pennsylvania State Parks facilities.

Doing so provides a comprehensive snapshot that identifies areas where fee adjustments are appropriate, according to the DCNR.

"The bureau estimates the amount of revenue the new fees will produce by multiplying the difference between the new and old price by the number of transactions that occurred in the specific category during the prior year," the DCNR said. "It estimates approximately $600,000 over the next two fiscal years in additional revenue from this fee increase."

Below are the new rates:

Modern Family Cabins

• Weekly Range: Residents — $449 to $816, non-residents — $536 to $897
• Nightly Range: Residents — $61 to $183; nonresidents — $73 to $209

Rustic Family Cabins

• Weekly Range: Residents — $212 to $578; nonresidents — $256 to $680
• Nightly Range: Residents —$29 to $162; nonresidents — $35 to $162

Yurts

• Weekly Range: Residents —$266 to $430; nonresidents — $346 to $556
• Nightly Range: Residents —$39 to $106; nonresidents — $43 to $126

Deluxe Cottages

• Weekly Range: Residents — $346 to $517; nonresidents — $415 to $626
• Nightly Range: Residents — $49 to $120; nonresidents — $56 to $144

Camping Cottages

• Weekly Range: Residents — $235 to $339; nonresidents — $279 to $370
• Nightly Range: Residents — $36 to $64; nonresidents — $39 to $69

The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle

• Single Room: Residents $110 to $264; nonresidents — $110 to $264
• Double Room: Nightly Range $127 to $288; nonresidents — $127 to $288
• Basic Suite: Nightly Range $139 to $288; nonresidents — $139 to $288
• Small Suite: Nightly Range $198 to $324; nonresidents — $198 to $324
• Large Suite: Nightly Range $220 to $342; nonresidents — $220 to $342

State Park Marinas (price per season)

• Marina Cost Per Foot: Residents — $22 to $36; nonresidents — $33 to $50
• Boat Storage Rack: Residents — $37 to $120; nonresidents — $44 to $140