New state park parking fees increase

ATLANTA - Parking fees increased Friday at state parks in Georgia, except at one in northeast Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Board of Directors earlier this year approved the increases which amount to $1 a day or $5 for an annual pass. The daily parking fee is now $3 and the annual pass is $30.

The only exception is Tallulah Gorge State Park in Rabun County where the $4 daily parking fee will not increase.

DNR says the fee increases are necessary "to help generate funds lost to state budget cuts."

It's the first increase in parking fees for family-size vehicles since the state begin charging them in 1992. That year they generated $1.3 million. The forecast for this year is $2.23 million.

ParkPass funds are returned directly back to Georgia's 63 state parks and historic sites for maintenance and construction projects.

Recently, according to DNR, fees were used to renovate campgrounds at Magnolia Springs, Fort Yargo, Mistletoe and Crooked River state parks; renovate cottages at Tugaloo State Park; renovate the lodge lobby at Amicalola Falls State Park and update exhibits at New Echota Historic Site. ParkPass revenues have also been used to buy playground equipment, grills, historic site exhibits, trail signage, beach sand, landscaping, bear-proof trash cans and other improvements.