By Mary Velan
Gov1
Over the past few years, state parks across the country have experienced a significant uptick in the number of campers and visitors on the grounds. As more citizens choose to explore the great outdoors in their spare time, many states are investing in state parks to maintain high rates of visitors in the years to come.
Record Numbers
Across the country, the United States is bespeckled with natural beauty housed on local, state and federal park lands. In recent years, many state parks have reported record numbers of campers and visitors coming to enjoy the natural wonders as part of their vacation and recreational activities.
Wisconsin state parks have enjoyed above average visitor counts this year due to favorable weather and a poor economy. The number of reservations and nights stayed in campsites has set new records in the state as more residents and visitors opt to enjoy a more affordable vacation and take advantage of the nice weather. The Wisconsin State Department of Natural Resources parks and recreation bureau recorded 159,398 campsite registrations for a total of 388,255 nights of camping this year through October 4 - not including figures from Columbus Day weekend when many visitors come to see the fall colors. This number is expected to continue to rise through the end of the year as warmer weather is allowing campers to visit during traditionally cooler months. The department expects Devil’s Lake - a popular park site - to top the 2012 record of 2.2 million visitors including campers and day hikers in 2015, The Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Similarly, Michigan state parks and recreation areas surpassed 1 million nights spent camping on the grounds in 2015 - marking the first time the state has hit that number since 2012. Up 9 percent from 2014, the number of campers visiting the state parks is has been attributed to low fuel prices, warmer weather and improved recreational experiences, The Lansing State Journal reported.
According to the National Association of State Park Directors, visits to state parks increased by 12 million to nearly 740 million in 2014. The economic recession and warmer weather are both encouraging people to camp closer to home and choose to vacation in the outdoors at a lower cost. The association also attributes the growth in visitors to more people wanting to escape office jobs and experience a dose of nature.
Keep It Up
Record numbers of visitors is vital for state parks looking to maintain funding sources and conservation efforts across the country. As a result, many state parks departments are finding ways to maintain high levels of visitors and operations for long-term success.
In Wisconsin, the state legislature and governor agreed to raise state parks fees by $3 for annual admissions and by $1 for daily admission, while camping fees will increase $3 to $5 per night, and out-of-state visitors will pay an extra $5 to $8. The increased fees will support maintenance and growth in state park lands and help offset the end of tax support for state parks as well. Wisconsin has been readily adding state parks and forests to its repertoire over the past several decades: jumping from 2,505 sites in 1950 to 4,703 in 2009. By mid-2017, the state anticipates 5,087 sites will be in operation or development across Wisconsin, The Wisconsin State Journal reported.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ parks division has taken to surveying visitors to identify what they are enjoying about the visit and where areas of improvement lie. Surveys of campers during the 2015 year show 89 percent rate their experience as good or very good. To keep these ratings high, however, the state’s DNR is continually working on off-season improvements, updating facilities and improving accessibility for visitors, The Lansing State Journal reported.
One way Michigan is responding to visitor surveys is by increasing the amenities available to visitors interested in camping outside. While some campers use tents or recreational visits, others are interested in cabins, mini cabins and lodges that offer more services and convenience for visitors. By upgrading and adding new equipment and lodging options, the state DNR expects to attract even larger crowds in the future - including more visitors who are not traditional campers or others interested in camping while still going to work during the day, The Lansing State Journal reported.
State parks in New York have suffered many years of disinvestment, leaving visitors with old amenities that often break down and cannot be repaired. In response, state lawmakers have decided to spend more than $900 million on capital investments across the state’s park system - encompassing 215 parks and historic sites - by 2020. The improvement projects will focus on a variety of tasks including:
- Replacing bathrooms and laundry facilities
- Upgrading electrical systems
- Installing new pedestrian walks, overlooks, railings, lighting and landscaping
- Renovating historic sites
- Increasing resiliency of park lands in the face of climate change and rising sea levels
The goal of the cash infusion is to return the state parks to their previous glory and update the facilities to accommodate the expectations of modern visitors, The New York Times reported.
In addition, the Utah has plans to expand its 43-property system of state parks to attract more visitors and diversify the offerings at each site. The state’s parks and recreation director explains that expansion of the system is more than just growth. These projects will include enhancements to the overall recreational estate that will drive visitors and money, which will help parks sustain maintenance and regular updates, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The state has many upgrades and growth strategies in mind including:
- New zip lines
- Additional yurts and bike trails
- New archery courses
- Doubling the size of certain parks
Furthermore, the Utah parks department has restructured its operating model to ensure all parks growth is controlled on a pay-as-you go basis. This system was implemented after an audit of the department found some parks received unacceptably high subsidies. Now, each state park is run like a mostly self-sustaining business.
Over the course of 10 years, Utah plans to have a park established in all 29 counties. The state plans to spend millions of dollars in expansion and upgrade projects to better serve the growing number of visitors each year, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Why It Matters
In 2014, more than 739 million visitors went to state parks - that is more than double the population of the United States. State parks are not just for overnight campers, in fact 91 percent of all state park visitors are day-time users. But 59.7 million visitors still opt to spend the night in the great outdoors, making them a significant stake in park attendance. While state parks represent less than 2 percent of total outdoor recreation estate, more than 29 percent of all visitors to outdoor recreation areas go to state and federal parks.
According to the National Association of State Park Directors, state parks offer local economies a number of benefits including:
- Economic Growth
- State park systems stimulate state economies through tourism, relocation, recreation and air-quality for nearby residents
- Social and Community Growth
- Outdoor recreation can reduce juvenile crime, promote closeness within families and build community involvement
- Health and Wellness Perks
- Spending time in state parks promotes exercise, good health, inspiration, self-realization and life enrichment
- Environmental Protection
- Supporting state park systems ensures natural and cultural resources are preserved for next generations
- Recreational Opportunities
- Children benefit greatly from spending time outdoors in state parks and will likely support them as adults
Aside from the individual and community benefits of outdoor recreational sites, state parks provide economic value at the local and national level. Across the United States, 24,985 full-time and seasonal employees work in over 10,000 state park administered areas that service more than 739 million visitors annually.