Georgia State Park Parking Fee Rip-off

[WarEagleDan]

I've camped far & wide and never had to pay a parking fee in addition to my camping fee. Georgia clipped me for $20 at Stone Mountain & $5 at FDR last week. Have I led a sheltered life? Have you had to pay extra for "parking" (doesn't matter if you didn't have a car in tow) in other states?

[lazinskm]

So u are Complaining about camping for $25 for a night correct

[TurnerFam]

I think of it more as an 'entrance' fee, versus parking, since they dont' know if you're going to be using your RV or tow vehicle or toad other places in the park.

You're not staying at an rv park, but a state park, with many other amenities that you might be making use of... the camping is an additional fee.

[Larry]

Texas does the same thing.

[be happy]

Colorado state parks do the same thing. I think I pay $5.00 per day entrance fee for the towed car. Or you can get a season state park pass.

[blw2]

In FL, the park entrance fee is built into the camping fee.

Yeah, it's aggravating...seems like a scam to get more money out of a person.... but The way I figure it, you pay it one way or the other.... just semantics

you can pay $20 for camping +$5 for entrance
or
you can pay $25 for camping with "free" park admission.

[Calman]

Originally Posted by Larry

Texas does the same thing.

Can vouch for Texas fees.

About 10 years ago I took a cross country (and reverse) motorcycle trip. Got hit with entry fee and camping fee. And I camped in 3 Texas State Parks as I crossed that large acreage.

[DenverTransplant]

Colorado State Parks charge you an $8 daily entrance fee in addition to your camping fees. They do sell yearly passes which pay for themselves after about 7 days.

[JamieGeek]

If you are a resident in Michigan you just pay the annual fee with your vehicle's license tab (it puts a little PP on the tab). That grants the vehicle entrance into any of the state parks--you still have to pay an overnight camping fee if you plan on camping, however.

[RadioRanger]

We stayed at Curt Gowdy State Park in WY after the eclipse went thru. We had rented a vehicle in Cheyenne as we did not have a toad yet (just fixed that recently). When we checked in they asked if the vehicle was being towed (they could not see it from where we checked in). I said no, and they explained that there is an additional vehicle fee. If it was towed in they would give me another vehicle pass. But had to pay for another one since it was driven in. I figured it was just the cost of admission. I don't recall how much it was. Probably just the vehicle fee for a day or so.

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by DenverTransplant

Colorado State Parks charge you an $8 daily entrance fee in addition to your camping fees. They do sell yearly passes which pay for themselves after about 7 days.

Is the yearly fee in Colorado calendar year or from date of purchase?

(I know I could probably GOOGLE it, but thought this was more "forum-y"

[Lt Keefer]

Yes, Texas charges a per person entrance fee. The part about it that I don't like is it's different from park to park.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by WarEagleDan

I've camped far & wide and never had to pay a parking fee in addition to my camping fee. Georgia clipped me for $20 at Stone Mountain & $5 at FDR last week. Have I led a sheltered life? Have you had to pay extra for "parking" (doesn't matter if you didn't have a car in tow) in other states?

Stone Mountain in GA is a State Park?

[WarEagleDan]

"Stone Mountain in GA is a State Park?"
Good question. It's owned by the state of Georgia but doesn't show up on the Georgia state park site. It's supposed to be the most popular tourist attraction in Georgia so I guess they regard it as a cash cow and operate it separately from the park system.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Call it what you wish (parking fee) but it clearly states on the website that "a one-time park admission fee of $20 is required, in addition to camping fees". It's common among many state parks all over the country. Campgrounds are one thing...State Parks are another...State Parks with campgrounds are another breed and they all have similar "fee based" pricing...even those in Alabama. We appreciate your money...please come back soon!

[Larry]

It does feel as though you’re being ripped off when you’re not towing a boat or maybe another vehicle and the sole purpose is to spend a night or more in the campground to “camp” and these extra “park fees” are tacked on and stated as such. JMO

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by Larry

It does feel as though you’re being ripped off when you’re not towing a boat or maybe another vehicle and the sole purpose is to spend a night or more in the campground to “camp” and these extra “park fees” are tacked on and stated as such. JMO

I bet it would be a challenge to find anyone that never left the campground to enjoy any of the great things available in the Park. Why wold someone go so far out of their way to just camp in the middle of a State Park and do nothing but camp?

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

If you are a resident in Michigan you just pay the annual fee with your vehicle's license tab (it puts a little PP on the tab). That grants the vehicle entrance into any of the state parks--you still have to pay an overnight camping fee if you plan on camping, however.

Same with Florida and most states. We purchase the FL State Park Pass mostly to get 24/7 access to the boat ramps in PCB. It's a blast to go past the line of 50+ boats on holiday weekend, waiting for the Park to open, and be the first in the water acquiring the best parking spot. Now, with Thor, we will use it more places.

[Larry]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

I bet it would be a challenge to find anyone that never left the campground to enjoy any of the great things available in the Park. Why wold someone go so far out of their way to just camp in the middle of a State Park and do nothing but camp?

Don’t know what other great things in the Park you might be referring to. Restrooms are in the campground as are walking trails. Most other amenities such as disc golf, regular golf, or other sporting activities cost extra.

[TurnerFam]

Stone Mountain is NOT a Georgia State Park... so,

here's from the GA STATE PARKS website, for those who are interested in actual Georgia State Park parking passes, when you make reservations...

"A ParkPass is required for all vehicles. Price for ParkPasses are not included with the reservation. Overnight guests pay only one ParkPass fee for the duration of their stay. The daily ParkPass is valid at all state parks visited the same day and is not valid at state historic sites.

ParkPass fees are as follow:
1-12 passenger vehicles $5 per day or $50 annual ParkPass;
13-30 passenger vehicles $30 per day or $75 annual ParkPass;
31 or more passenger vehicles $70 per day or $250 annual ParkPass;
Georgia active duty military/veterans $3.75 per day or $37.50 annual ParkPass. "

having said that, my $5 'extra' fee for my personal tow car, was added at the time of check in, not during the reservations online process - while you tell them during the online process how many 'vehicles' you have, when you arrive you confirm that so that you only pay for what you actually brought.
The $5 fee is also for the duration, not just for one day, like most folks who just drive in for a day trip.
There is no 'parking fee' for the RV, it is included in the reservation for the campsite.

and realize that some parks are not GA STATE PARKS, like Stone Mountain, though they may look like they are.... corp of Engineer parks and regional parks may look like state parks, but are not, and can charge whatever they wish.