No New Camping Site Fees for C&O Canal Park

The C&O Canal National Historical Park announced late on Friday a revised fee proposal (PDF). The National Park Service is exploring potential changes to visitor fees to raise revenue. The proposed fee changes included a new charge for the hiker-biker camping sites of $20/night. The revised proposals retains the current no charge for the hiker-biker camping sites. From the National Park Service, “having heard concerns over the proposal for new fees, the park has decided to rescind its proposal to expand fee collection. The park is still proposing to moderately increase existing entrance, campground and pavilion rental fees only at park locations where fees are currently collected.” Last week we posted to the WABA blog about the proposed new charges and fee increases. Thank you to the WABA members and supporters who attended last week’s public meeting. The revised fee increases are listed below:

Park Annual Pass: Current: $20, Great Falls, MD only Proposed: $30, Great Falls, MD only

Per Vehicle Pass: Current: $5/vehicle for 3 days, Great Falls, MD only Proposed: $15/vehicle for 7 days, Great Falls, MD only

Per Person Pass: Current: $3/person for 3 days, Great Falls, MD only Proposed: $7/person for 7 days, Great Falls, MD only

Motorcycle Pass: Current: $5/motorcycle for 3 days, Great Falls, MD only Proposed: $10/motorcycle for 7 days, Great Falls, MD only

The park is are also proposing to increase fees for campgrounds and picnic pavilions. Comparability studies have been completed to determine rates. The proposals are as follows:

Drive-In Campgrounds:   Single Site Rate: Current: $10 per night, Proposed $20 per night Group Site Rate: Current $20 per night, Proposed $40 per night

Hiker-Biker Camping Sites: Current: No Charge, no changed proposed

Picnic Pavilion: Carderock Pavilion Monday-Thursday: Current $150 per day, Proposed $250 per day Friday-Sunday & Holidays: Current $250 per day, Proposed $350 per day

There are still opportunities to comment on the revised fee increase proposal. You can submit online comments via the NPS Planning, Environmental & Comment website. The public comment period will remain open until February 22, 2015. NPS will continue to hold public meetings as follows: February 9, 2015, at Hancock Town Hall, 126 West High Street, Hancock, MD from 6:30-8:00 PM February 11, 2015, at Storer Ballroom at the Shepherd University Student Center, 210 North King Street, Shepherdstown, WV, from 6:30-8:00 PM February 17, 2015, at Brunswick City Park Building, 655 East Potomac Street, Brunswick, MD, from 6:30-8:00 PM