Beginning August 17, day-use parking fees will increase by $2 to $5, and camping fees will increase by $10 – $21 a night. Camping reservations made prior to that date will be honored at the lower price.
Annual Passes will go back on sale immediately at the existing price of $125. In future months, additional fee and pass increases are possible as State Parks assesses how the partnership program stretches the reduced budget funding to help keep parks open.
A list of specific parks affected is expected to be available next week and I will post any updated information as soon as it is available.
It should be noted that these increases do not raise park revenues enough to cover all the costs. Doing that would require steep increases that would price people out of their public park system. These increases are another tool in the efforts being taken by California State Parks to keep more parks open during this time of budget cuts and employee furloughs.
The department continues to seek support from cities, counties, corporations and nonprofit organizations who may want to sponsor or operate particular parks to help keep them open. Further, park managers have been reducing services and modifying their operations by closing portions of parks and reducing operating hours.
“We have loyal visitors who truly love our parks,” said State Parks Director Ruth Coleman. “We will do our best to maximize the use of additional funds so that parks continue to be available for public enjoyment.”
The map below shows all the State Parks our region.
San Luis Obispo has eleven State Parks. State Parks in the county of ‘San Luis Obispo‘
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| Cayucos (State Beach) | San Luis Obispo |  |
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| Estero Bluffs (State Park) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Harmony Headlands (State Park) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Hearst San Simeon (State Park) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Hearst San Simeon (State Historical Monument) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Los Osos Oaks (State Natural Reserve) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Montaña de Oro (State Park) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Morro Bay (State Park) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Morro Strand (State Beach) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Oceano Dunes (State Vehicular Recreation Area) | San Luis Obispo | |
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| Pismo (State Beach) | San Luis Obispo | |
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Learn more about California State Parks on their official website.
Order an annual pass online for $125 any business day before 3pm and it’ll be in tomorrow’s mail.
UPDATE:
Updated fees for parks in SLO County:
Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
Hearst Experience Tour (combo) Child Child Entry Guided Tour / Walk $12.00
Hearst Daily Tour Adult Adult Entry Guided Tour / Walk $24.00
Hearst Daily Tour Child Child Entry Guided Tour / Walk $12.00
Hearst Experience Tour (combo) Adult Adult Entry Guided Tour / Walk $24.00
Hearst Evening Tour Adult Adult Entry Guided Tour / Walk $30.00
Hearst Evening Tours Child Child Entry Guided Tour / Walk $15.00
Morro Bay State Park
Morro Bay – Museum of Natural History Child Entry Museum / Park Entry $0.00
Morro Bay – Museum of Natural History Adult Entry Museum / Park Entry $2.00
Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area
Oceano Dunes Paid Vehicle Undeveloped Parking $5.00
Pismo State Beach
Pismo Paid Vehicle Developed Parking $10.00
