State to reduce off-season campground rates at 10 parks

AUGUSTA — Off-season rates for camping at 10 state parks will be reduced this year in an attempt to encourage more campers to use the parks between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

The new off-season rates — $8 for Maine residents and $10 for others — will be charged at Camden Hills, Cobscook Bay, Lake St. George, Lamoine, Lily Bay, Mount Blue, Peaks-Kenny, Rangeley Lake, Sebago Lake and Warren Island state parks, officials said.

Summer season rates range from $10.50 to $16, said Steve Curtis, a spokesman for the state Parks and Recreation Bureau.

The rates at the other two state parks with camping facilities — Bradbury Mountain and Aroostook — are $8 for residents and $10 for nonresidents year-round, Curtis said Friday.

Campers who use the parks during the off-season are expected to pay on an honor system. No rangers are on duty to collect the fees, but campers are asked to leave the money in “iron ranger” boxes at each park, Curtis said.

“This fee-reduction package is a win-win situation because we expect reduced fees to increase public use and income to the state’s General Fund,” said bureau Director Herb Hartman.

Income from the camping fees for the fiscal year that ended June 30 was $635,449.