New ‘Summer Tax’? Michigan Eyes Mandatory Park Fee

Michigan is a land of natural beauty, with over 103 state parks, three national parks, and a whopping 416 campgrounds. If you love the outdoors, Michigan is the place to be. As someone who owns a kayak and has gone camping around the state, I know it's always a breath of fresh air to get out of the city and feel the breeze coming off the lake.

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The state parks have an average of 30 million visitors annually, yet their funding is consistently a topic of concern. Guaranteed income that isn't based on attendance is a huge source of income for any department, and that's why Michigan legislators are introducing what some are calling a "summer tax."

What Is Michigan's Recreation Passport?

The Michigan Senate's latest natural resource budget plan includes a unique change that gives the state an estimated $43.5 million in additional revenue. This includes a vital change to one of Michigan's most cost-effective purchases when renewing your license plate yearly.

The Recreation Passport is an add-on you can purchase when you renew your license plate for $14 or any other time for an additional fee. This passport lets you into any state park for free without paying entrance fees. 36% of Michigan vehicle owners choose to pay for the passport, which WGRD included in our Michigan Starter Pack.

Why Lawmakers Want to Change the Fee Structure

The change would be to make the passport mandatory for $10 rather than optional for $14. Senator John Cherry stated that the goal of this change is "to get people to use [the parks] more." However, Senate Republicans have dubbed this a "summer tax," taxing Michiganders to do what they love during the warmer months.

READ MORE: Michigan Is Home To The Least Visited National Park In America |

However, would this change really work, and could it make the parks too busy? The convenience of not paying to enter state parks like Holland (where the daily admission fee is $10, the same price as the passport) appeals to those who actively go to parks, and some view it as a reward for those who actively attend. The best part of the passport is that it tends to pay for itself in the long run.

The Senate has not yet approved this or changes to the price of hunting and fishing licenses, so this is only a proposed change. Are you team pro-required passport, or would you prefer to keep things as they are?