Recreation Passport Price Goes Up $1 Next Year

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The price of the Recreation Passport needed to enter Michigan's state parks, recreation areas and forest campgrounds is going up $1 effective next year.

The Department of Natural Resources said starting Jan. 2 the price will be $11, up from the current $10.

The DNR said the increase is based on a requirement built into legislation that created the program, which says the annual price must keep pace with inflation.

The state began selling the passports in October 2010 as a way of paying for park operations and maintenance. Motorists can buy them when visiting a park or renewing their vehicle licenses.

A related "Passport Perks" program includes discounts on goods and services from 1,100 local businesses to those with a Recreation Passport.

Good for a year, the passport grants access to all state parks, forest and recreation areas, plus boat launches. Under the old system, park visitors were charged $6 per day or $24 for an annual pass.

The DNR says about 22 million people visit Michigan's state parks every year and pump about $650 million into the economy by spending on food, fuel and other supplies, she said.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or www.michigan.gov/passportperks.

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