Just got this tidbit this afternoon from the park.

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is very proud of the state park system. The park staff works very hard to maintain your parks safety and satisfying our visitor's needs.

The fee increase that is in place will help to offset reductions of approximately $ 1.24 million of appropriated funds for the current fiscal year. Further reductions are anticipated for this year and in 2011.

In addition to state funding, the parks are dependent on self-generated revenue. The money taken in for camping and other amenities are essential to daily operations, staffing and maintenance of your parks. With this increase in place, we hope to ensure the future of Oklahoma State Parks.

Fee increases will be effective November 1, 2009.

RV Site will be $ 20.00 per night. $ 2.00 increase
Tent Site will be $ $ 12.00 per night. $ 2.00 increase
Dune Fees will be $ $ 10.00 per day. $ 3.00 increase.

When my family and I started going to the sand when I was a Kid 20 years ago and always had fun. The best trip we ever went on we meet a group of people that had a daughter my age. Well a few years later she became my wife and has been for over 12 years. We started out the two oldest kids riding with us but always with a helmet on. The two oldest boys have there own bikes they ride on the farm but the sand is alittle more difficult. Now they are going to increases the money it takes to go have fun with your family. I understand that most of the rules are made to keep stupid safe from them. But the under 18 helmet and making lights at night requirements along with a standard are very good ideas compaired to the old days. But is starting to make it feel its only for the people with a good deal of money to ride

I suppose the yearly entrance fee has gone up too.

Wow $3 increase ouch. Hate to see that but oh well life goes on.

are they planing on doing any inprovments with the increase ??????????? this may hurt some people bad That can barley afford it now

sandmanr052 wrote:
are they planing on doing any inprovments with the increase ??????????? this may hurt some people bad That can barley afford it now

I think the fee increases were put in place to off set the 1.24 million in budget cuts for the parks. The State of Oklahoma is heavily dependent on the price of natural gas in the form of gross production taxes. Right now natural gas prices are as low as they have been in quite some time and the budget for all government departments are taking quite a hit.