Berlin, Maryland-Superintendent Trish Kicklighter today announced an increase in the fees for camping at Assateague Island National Seashore.The new camping fees will take effect Feb. 1, 2012.The change will increase the cost of regular sites in the Oceanside and Bayside campgrounds by $5/night, the Group site by $10/night, and the horse camp site by $5/night.The cost for a backcountry camping is also increasing.The changes apply to camping fees only; the Seashore's entrance fees and special use fees such as OSV permits remain unchanged.
The main reason for the increase was a growing gap between the Seashore's camping fees and other campgrounds in the local area."Camping at Assateague will always remain a bargain," said Kicklighter, "but we do need to keep our fees a bit more in line with other local destinations.It's also important to note that 80% of the fees collected come back to the park to fund projects such as the recent improvements to the campgrounds and the new beach access boardwalk."
The following lists the camping fees as of Feb. 1, 2012:
Developed Area Camp Sites
$25/site/night 4/15 to 10/15
$20/site/night 10/16 to 4/14
Group Camp Sites
7-25 people
$40/site/night
Horse Camp Site
Maximum of 6 people and 6 horses
$30/site/night
Backcountry Camping Permit
$6/person
The authority to charge recreational fees at National Parks stems from the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.The law requires that recreational fees are appropriate to the benefits and services provided, and comparable to fees charged by others in the local area for similar benefits and services.
For more information on Assateague Island National Seashore and camping opportunities, visit www.nps.gov/asis
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
