Washington State Parks raising its camping fees in 2025

BELLINGHAM — Camping in a state park is about to get more expensive in Washington.

The state’s Parks and Recreation Commission announced last week that it will be raising its camping fees, with the new prices taking effect May 15, 2025. The price hikes will range between $2 and $7, depending on the type of campsite you’re reserving.

• Currently, campsite reservations cost between $12 and $50 per night, depending on the type of campsite and the time of year.
• A standard campsite costs between $27 and $37 a night during the summer and $20 in the colder months. During the “shoulder seasons” of April 1 through May 14 and Sept. 16 through Oct. 31, campsites range from $20 to $30.
• Partial utility campsites range from $35 to $45 during the summer, $30 to $40 during the shoulder seasons, and $30 during the colder months.
• Full utility campsites cost between $40 and $50 during the summer, $35 to $45 during the shoulder seasons and $35 during the off-season.
• Primitive campsites, which typically don’t offer restrooms with running water, cost $12 year round.

Under the new pricing structure, here’s how much you’ll have to pay for camping:

• Standard campsites will cost $30 to $42 a night over the summer, $22 to $34 during shoulder seasons, and $22 in the off-season.
• Partial utility sites will cost between $40 to $51 during the summer, $34 and $45 in shoulder seasons, and $34 over the off-season.
• Full utility sites will range from $45 to $57 during the summer, $40 to $51 for shoulder seasons, and $40 for the off-season.
• Primitive campsites will remain $12 year round.

New moorage fees

In addition to the campsite price hikes, the parks department is rolling out new moorage fee structure.

• The daily moorage rate will go from 75 cents per foot of boat length to $1 a foot, with a daily minimum of $23 regardless of the boat’s size.
• Buoy moorage will jump from $15 to $23.
• The annual moorage rate will increase from $5 a foot to $7, with the minimum fee jumping from $60 to $80

The moorage fee changes go into effect Jan. 1 of next year.

Why did Washington camping, moorage prices increase?

According to the state parks department, the changes were made to account for rising utility costs, which have increased by 37 percent since 2019, as well as general inflation, which is up 20 percent since the current price structure was set.