NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Revisions to Schedule of Prices for State Parks
[51 Pa.B. 572]
[Saturday, January 30, 2021]A. Summary and Background
Under section 314 of the Conservation and Natural Resources Act (71 P.S. § 1340.314) and 17 Pa. Code § 11.224 (relating to prices), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department), Bureau of State Parks (Bureau), has revised its price schedule for State Park activities, uses and privileges. The updated schedule, which is in section D as follows, increases the fee ranges for modern and rustic cabins, yurts, deluxe and camping cottages, marinas, boat storage racks and categories of rooms at the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park.
The updated price schedule is needed to fine-tune the existing rates and to increase revenue to the Bureau. In addition, the schedule, which is comparable to those of state parks in neighboring states, will narrow the gap between State Parks in this Commonwealth and private facilities, resulting in a more favorable competitive climate for the private sector.
For comparison purposes, the current price schedule can be found at the State Parks web site at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/StateParkPrices/Pages/default.aspx. It can also be obtained by calling State Parks Reservations and Information at (888) PA-PARKS. When the updated price schedule becomes effective, it will be posted on the State Parks web site.
The Department also has updated its reservation cancellation/change policy. The updated policy, which is in section E, correlates to the best management practices of other state park and private sector reservation web sites. The Department's current policy can be found at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/StateParkPrices/Pages/default.aspx.
B. Contact Person
Any questions may be directed to Ryan Dysinger, Assistant Director, Bureau of State Parks, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551, (717) 787-6640, rdysinger@pa.gov. Persons with a disability may use the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users).
C. Effective Date
The changes to the price schedule and the cancellation/change policy will go into effect immediately upon publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. However, the revised price schedule applies only to reservations occurring on or after January 1, 2022.
D. Price Schedule
Facility
Type UnitUnit Resident Non-Resident Family Cabins Cabin—
ModernWeekly Range $449—$816 $536—$897 Cabin—
ModernNightly Range $61—$183 $73—$209 Cabin—
RusticWeekly Range $212—$578 $256—$680 Cabin—
RusticNightly Range $29—$162 $35—$162 Yurts Yurts Weekly Range $266—$430 $346—$556 Yurts Nightly Range $39—$106 $43—$126 Deluxe Cottages Deluxe Cottages Weekly Range $346—$517 $415—$626 Deluxe Cottages Nightly Range $49—$120 $56—$144 Camping Cottages Camping Cottages Weekly Range $235—$339 $279—$370 Camping Cottages Nightly Range $36—$64 $39—$69 All Other State Park Marinas Marina Cost Per Foot Per Season $22—$36 $33—$50 Other Boating Boat Storage Rack Per Season $37—$120 $44—$140 The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle Single Room Nightly Range $110—$264 $110—$264 Double Room Nightly Range $127—$288 $127—$288 Basic Suite Nightly Range $139—$288 $139—$288 Small Suite Nightly Range $198—$324 $198—$324 Large Suite Nightly Range $220—$342 $220—$342
E. Reservation Cancellation/Change Policy
This policy is applicable to all reservable and first-come, first-served facilities.
This policy is applicable for all reservations created on and after the effective date of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This policy is included in the customer's confirmation letter/e-mail that is provided by the Department.
Transaction fee: The Department charges a $6.50 nonrefundable transaction fee on all reservations and registrations. The Department will not refund this fee if the reservation is cancelled or transferred. The Department cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the Department for the reservation system.
Changes to a reservation:
The Department assesses a nonrefundable $10 fee per reservation for all changes made to a reservation, except for adding nights to the reservation. The Department will not refund this fee in the event of a change or cancellation in any situation. The Department cannot grant any exceptions because this fee is a pass-through cost incurred by the Department for the reservation system.
Note that customers with reservations made at the maximum window (11 months to the day), or with a departure date after the maximum booking window, are not permitted to move or cancel their reservation for 22 days. After 22 days, customers can change or move their reservation for a $10 transfer fee.
Changes prior to the day of arrival to any online reservation or call center reservation must be made by calling the State Parks Reservation Center (Center) at (888) PA-PARKS ((888) 727-2757), Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.—5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, except for backpack camping changes, which are handled by the specific park.
Changes on the day of arrival must go through the State park where individuals have a reservation. There are no refunds for early departure of any part of a holiday weekend reservation once the site has been occupied. The Department will not accept changes by means of social media.
If a reservation receives the weekly discounted rate, any change that results in shortening the stay will cause the customer to lose the benefit of the weekly rate. A new daily rate will be calculated for the remaining dates, which will affect any amount refunded. Cabin reservations for the summer peak season will forfeit their entire fee if cancelled.
Cancellation of a reservation:
Cancellations can be made by means of the call center or web site up to the day before arrival. Any cancellation on the day of arrival must be made through the State park. The Center's hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.—5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Center can be reached at (888) PA-PARKS ((888) 727-2757). To cancel any backpacking reservations, contact the specific State park where the individual has a reservation.
Cancellations made up to close of business 7 days prior to the individual's scheduled arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee per reservation. If the individual cancels 6 days or less prior to the arrival date, the individual will forfeit the first night's fee. Reservations will be held for the entire camping reservation, including for no shows. All fees are retained and will not be refunded, if the individual fails to arrive and does not inform the park of a cancellation in advance or during the individual's stay. Refunds will be calculated based on the date of notification using the previously listed process or by means of check out if notification occurs after the arrival date but before departure date.
The Department will not give refunds for reasons other than those identified in this policy. Reasons for which refunds will not be given include but are not limited to natural disasters, drought, bugs, weather, campfire bans, death, pandemics (for example, COVID-19), water conditions or pool closures due to staffing.
Whitewater:
The Department will charge whitewater cancellations a maximum fee of $10 or the amount paid, whichever is less. Reservations made with the seasonal pass and then cancelled will only incur a fee for any reservations for which money has been collected.
Refunds:
If the individual paid by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express, the individual's card will be credited. If the individual paid by check or money order, the Department will send the individual a check from the Commonwealth. If the individual paid by gift card, the Bureau will send the individual a new gift card for the refund amount. Be aware that only the individual whose name is on the reservation may change or cancel. Refunds by check require a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.
The Department will not consider requests for refunds if submitted 8 days or more after the departure date. For example, if the individual was to depart on January 7 and submitted a refund request on January 15, it would be ineligible for consideration.
CINDY ADAMS DUNN,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 21-159. Filed for public inspection January 29, 2021, 9:00 a.m.]
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