OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Public comment will be accepted until March 3 on an Olympic National Park proposal to increase the daily fee for overnight stays at eight of its 13 campgrounds.
A park review completed in the fall of 2019 recommended that each park campground’s fees remain the same or increase based on comparable campground facilities nearby.
Proposed increases include:
• Kalaloch Campground: $22 to $24.
• Staircase, Heart O’ the Hills, Fairholme, Mora and Hoh: $20 to $24.
• South Beach and North Fork campgrounds, $15 to $20.
Deer Park, Sol Duc, Ozette, Queets and Graves Creek campground fees would remain the same.
Holders of the America the Beautiful Access and Senior Lifetime passes would continue to receive 50 percent off the per night campground fees, park officials said.
To comment on the proposed campground fee increase, provide comments before March 3 online at parkplanning.nps.gov/ONPCGFEES or by mail to Superintendent, Olympic National Park — Proposed Campground Fee Increases, 600 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Comments submitted by phone or email will not be accepted, nor will comments submitted by individuals or organizations on behalf of other individuals or organizations.
Eighty percent of campground fee revenue stays at the park to fund projects related to visitor experience, including the repair, maintenance and enhancement of campground facilities, officials said.
“Keeping our campgrounds affordable and providing a great experience is our priority,” said park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum.
“The park uses the revenue from camping fees to fund projects which benefit the visitor’s experience.”
Last year, park officials noted, campground restrooms were remodeled and family restrooms added at Mora and the Hoh Rain Forest.
Fee dollars also purchased new fire rings and 88 concrete picnic tables to replace wooden ones which have deteriorated, park officials said.
