Frequently Asked Questions

What is the State Park Access Pass?
The State Park Access Pass is a proposal to provide critical funding for the state park system, while offering Californians free day-use access to their state parks.  It creates a new funding stream for keeping California's state parks open by instituting a surcharge on vehicle license fees of all non-commercial vehicles in California. 

Why is this being proposed?
In the last two years, California's state parks have been proposed for closure, first in 2008, when 48 parks were proposed for closure, and again in 2009 when 220 parks were proposed for closure.  In the end, the Legislature and Governor made final budget decisions that will result in at least 100 state parks being closed to the public.

Adopting the State Park Access Pass keeps the doors open to state parks for Californians and for the California economy.  At a time when the state desperately needs to generate revenues for many other critical state services, it makes sense to keep state parks open and available for the public.  A recent report by California State University, Sacramento found that park users, on average, spent $57.63 per visit.  Across the system, this amounts to a more than $4.2 billion in positive economic impacts – impacts that would be lost if state parks are closed under the Governor's May Revise proposal.  

When the Governor proposed to close 220 state parks (80% of the entire system) – only to gain $143 million in General Fund savings – it revealed the truly precarious fiscal health of California's state parks.  Foregoing basic annual maintenance and upkeep has resulted in a $1.2 billion backlog of deferred maintenance.  Additionally, inadequate staffing levels means that many units of the park system have no dedicated full-time staff, decreased visitor support, a lack of regular staffing to collect needed entrance fees, and few or no educational programs available to visitors.

How will Californians be provided free access to state parks?
Vehicles with valid California license plates will be provided free daily entrance to California state parks – which in most cases means free parking in day use parking lots in the park.  No special paperwork, sticker, or pass will be required. 

How much money will the fee raise?
The State Park Access Pass program will generate approximately $360 million in annual revenue, net of lost day-use revenues and implementation costs, for the state park system, based on an estimate of over 28 million vehicles that will be assessed the $15 annual fee. 

How will funding be used?
The funding will be used to keep state parks open and address important maintenance and operational needs of the state park system, such as repairing and improving visitor services and facilities in state parks.  Funds may also be used to serve the public in a variety of capacities - law enforcement, safety, interpretive and educational programs, and more.  It is expected that implementing legislation for the State Park Access Pass will provide the Department of Parks and Recreation with general guidance to improve the operations and maintenance of the system, protect the natural resources within state parks, enhance the park experience for visitors and address the deferred maintenance deficit that currently exists.  

Why is this being proposed now?
Creating this dedicated revenue stream for the state park system will help keep state parks open for Californians.  It not only addresses a decades-long problem with funding this important state asset, but provides an opportunity for General Fund savings to help other state departments.

Why the vehicle license fee?
The vehicle license fee has an appropriate nexus – day use fees in state parks are, in essence, parking fees that are paid per vehicle entering state parks.  By assessing a surcharge on the vehicle license fee, the State Park Access Pass allows Californians to pay the fee once per year, but have the benefit of accessing and parking in state parks for free.  

Why should all Californians pay this fee?
All Californians will get a significant benefit from the California State Park Access Pass.  Given recent fee increases, typical day-use entrance fees to state parks are around $8-$10 (popular southern California beaches have day-use fees of $14-15).  When Californians visit state parks just two times per year, they have received a benefit that exceeds the annual fee paid under the State Park Access Pass.  More visits means more benefits to Californians. Additionally, the new funding will be used for much-needed improvements and upkeep in our state parks.  Without a new source of revenue to address those needs, it is inevitable that state park units will continue to decline and proposals to close state parks will be in front of the public and the Legislature again. 

Will the State Park Access Pass apply to camping and other use of state parks?
Camping fees will still apply and be collected from campers in California's state parks.  Additionally, the State Park Access Pass does not waive fees at museums and historic state parks that charge fees for special tours and access, such as Hearst Castle, the California State Railroad Museum, Stanford Mansion, etc. 

What is the status of the State Park Access Pass?  How will it be decided?
The State Park Access Pass was raised in the legislative process in 2008, but not voted on by the full Legislature.  In 2009, the Legislature considered the State Park Access Pass, but in the context of a variety of different fee increases.  CSPF was disappointed that after two tries in the Legislature, there was not the political will from our elected officials to adopt such a creative, win-win budget solution.  CSPF is exploring the idea of taking this proposal to the California voters directly, but there is still a significant amount of researching and testing before making a final decision in late 2009 about whether this will be put to the ballot. 

When will free access begin under the State Park Access Pass?
If the State Park Access Pass is enacted into law, Californians will be provided free day-use access once the Department of Motor Vehicles begins to impose the new fee on annual vehicle registrations.