Wisconsin campers would get 1st dibs at reserving state park campsites under GOP bill

By: Emilee Fannon Facebook | Twitter

Posted: Dec 4, 2023 4:35 PM CDT

NOW: Wisconsin campers would get 1st dibs at reserving state park campsites under GOP bill

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- If you're planning a camping trip in Wisconsin, a pair of GOP lawmakers are trying to make reserving a campsite a little easier for you.

Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) are proposing legislation that would give residents first dibs at booking high-demand campgrounds at state parks.

It's a process that can be "highly stressful" when competing for those spots which can lead to Wisconsinites losing out, Kitchen said.

The current system allows all campers, regardless of where they live, to reserve campsites when the reservation window opens online at 9 a.m., 11 months prior to the booking date.

The proposed bill would give residents 14 days to book a reservation at some of the most popular state parks before non-residents get a crack at them.

However, there's a catch. Wisconsinites would have to pay the out-of-state resident camping fee, ranging $10-$15 more per night, to jump the line.

"It's up to the individual if it's worth it for them to do that or not," Kitchens said. "I think we did that because we don't want the park system to take a financial hit by doing this…but I think for the citizens of Wisconsin it will be an improved system."

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) declined to comment on the bill. Kitchens said he's heard the DNR has some concerns about how this system would be implemented.

Kitchens, whose district includes some of the most popular state parks in Door and Kewaunee County, said he's willing to add amendments to the bill to ensure the DNR has the proper tools to offer this exclusive reservation window to Wisconsin campers.

Wyoming and Florida also provide an early window for state residents to reserve state park campsites, according to a co-sponsorship memo.

The proposal comes as Badger State's outdoor recreation industry had another record-breaking year in 2022. The industry generated $23.7 billion in total economic impact, according to economic data.