+travisl Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 An interesting article in today's Tacoma News Tribune pointed out that between 8 million and 23 million fewer people visited state parks in 2003 than did in 2002. It also points out that the parks really seem to have no idea how many people are visiting. I know that in my six state park day visits this year, I've either been there for less than 15 minutes, or parked outside and walked in, just as they intended. Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 I heard that on the radio Quote Link to comment
martmann Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 That's pretty sad, the article basically says the visitor count is vastly inaccurate. You would think they at least would be able to get a fairly accurate count of the $5 bills they collected. Quote Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Well - with the $5 they collect, they'll know how many paid to park, but that doesn't really reflect all that visit by walk-ins/hike-ins or non-payment of parking regardless if it is outright refusal to pay to park or the vehicle was parked off-grounds. Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 When I hid my cache over at Kopachuck State Park, I used my NW Forest parking pass. This “mistake” was good for at least one go. Now I park outside and walk the 30 yards to the trailhead. Quote Link to comment
+travisl Posted December 10, 2003 Author Share Posted December 10, 2003 Ironically, I was all ready to buy an annual pass when I hit Dash Cache last January, but unable to find a way to do so, I left the empty payment envelope on my dashboard with a note written on it: ''How do I buy an annual pass?'' The rangers didn't come by as I was hunting. In retrospect, it's good that I didn't, because I wouldn't have gotten eight uses out of it ($40 annual pass, or $5 per visit). The next time I came to Dash Point, I parked outside at the corner of 47th and Hoyt, and got lost in the woods for three hours. I've used the 15-minute rule multiple times at Potlatch State Park. We rented the cabin at Flaming Geyser State Park, which includes parking for the duration of our stay. And as much as I might like to wander around West Hylebos State Park again one of these days, there's too many other free alternative wandering spots to make me want to shell out $5. I can't see paying $5 more than once or twice a year. I haven't paid a cent yet in 2003. Quote Link to comment
+yumitori Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Just to derail things... Montana in contrast has just eliminated its $5 access fee for Montana residents. If you are in a vehicle with a Montana license plate, you do not pay. Out-of-staters are still charged the day fee. Instead of paying every time you visit a park, Montanans have the option to add $4 to their annual licensing. This is voluntary, and you don't have to pay to take advantage of the free access. Quote Link to comment
+evergreenhiker! Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Just to derail things... Montana in contrast has just eliminated its $5 access fee for Montana residents. If you are in a vehicle with a Montana license plate, you do not pay. Out-of-staters are still charged the day fee. Instead of paying every time you visit a park, Montanans have the option to add $4 to their annual licensing. This is voluntary, and you don't have to pay to take advantage of the free access. Awesome! My folks are moving to Montana. He found a job near Glacier National Park...Cutbank, Montana. You guys been there? Quote Link to comment
+yumitori Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Awesome! My folks are moving to Montana. He found a job near Glacier National Park...Cutbank, Montana. You guys been there? Sure! Land of the giant penguin. See the June 22 entries. Quote Link to comment
+evergreenhiker! Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 Awesome! My folks are moving to Montana. He found a job near Glacier National Park...Cutbank, Montana. You guys been there? Sure! Land of the giant penguin. See the June 22 entries. Cool! I guess my folks will have to get used to the cold! Hunting over there is supposed to be fantastic so I'll be able to go over and hunt with Dad. Moose, Buffalo/Bison, big deer, etc. I had moose once...excellent tasting meat! Quote Link to comment
+Right Wing Wacko Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 (edited) Awesome! My folks are moving to Montana. He found a job near Glacier National Park...Cutbank, Montana. You guys been there? Sure! Land of the giant penguin. See the June 22 entries. Cool! I guess my folks will have to get used to the cold! Hunting over there is supposed to be fantastic so I'll be able to go over and hunt with Dad. Moose, Buffalo/Bison, big deer, etc. I had moose once...excellent tasting meat! Yes, the hunting is great in Montana. It's a bit expensive for non-residents. My father-in-law lived over there for a while. We got up in the morning, stepped out back behind the barn, shot our 4 point Whitetail and were back at the cabin in time for a late breakfast I was there two days and shot a deer each day. (You can buy more than one tag). Now to get back on topic..... I probably should have bought a pass this year. I only actually ended up paying four times, but there were a couple fairly easy caches where I left the kids in the car while I did a cache-and-dash. Edited December 10, 2003 by Right Wing Wacko Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted December 10, 2003 Share Posted December 10, 2003 What's really funny is that if it were a reasonable fee, say a buck or two per visit, I would have no problem paying to park. But five bucks?! Fudge that! Quote Link to comment
+Ish-n-Isha Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 So now we have 8 to 28 million less park visits.......... HUmmmmm I 'spose they will let up now on geocaching impact since they have that many less visitors!!! Maybe we can sell caching as a way the state can raise funds! HA Just dont tell them we all park outside the boundries. Quote Link to comment
+bazzle Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Just as a matter of perspective... The day use fee in Oregon is only $3 with the annual being $25 for 1 year and $40 for 2. And in some state parks down here your NW Forest pass is actually honored . While in Arizona the day use fee is $7, I did not even bother to check on the annual since I am only down there a week or so a year. Quote Link to comment
+EraSeek Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I have not been in a state park since the fee. On the forest pass, I left mine on the dash, but turned upside down accidentaly. When I got back, I had one of those "tickets". I took it to the ranger station along with my pass and said "look it still good". The lady said "Oh, don't worry about it" and crumpled the 'ticket' up and threw it in the trash. Guess no one keeps track of those "tickets" anyway. Quote Link to comment
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