It's going to cost more to visit N.B. provincial parks this year

Prices for visiting New Brunswick's provincial parks, along with campsite and cabin fees, are increasing this year — and in some cases doubling. 

The province is also introducing a tiered pricing system. 

"It doesn't seem like a fair system," said Salma Burney, a moderator on the Camping New Brunswick Facebook group, which has about 19,500 members. She also co-owns a private campground.

Burney said she's seen nothing but frustration in response to the cost increases at provincial parks. 

"If they're owned by taxpayers, then why do taxpayers have to pay twice as much to use something where their tax dollars have gone to?" 

For example, renting the Maple heritage cabin at Mount Carleton Provincial Park used to cost $113.04 a night in August. Renting that same cabin during the same month this year will cost $225, almost double, and that doesn't include taxes.

Seasonal rates are also going up.

A seasonal RV campsite with electricity at Mactaquac Provincial Park cost $1,652.17 in 2022. This year prices vary between $2,000 and $3,250, depending on water and sewage availability and the type of electrical hookup requested. Again, those prices don't include tax.

Park entrance fees are increasing by 50 per cent, from $8.70 to $13.04, plus taxes.

And at Parlee Beach Provincial Park, a fee designated for beach maintenance that is tacked onto the entrance fee is increasing by 66 per cent, going from $2.61 to $4.35, taxes extra.

The province has also proposed raising some of these fees annually until at least 2025. 

New Brunswick is introducing high-season and low-season rates this year. According to the province's website, May 19-22 this year and July 1 to Sept. 4 are considered high season. 

It means that camping sites will cost about 25 per cent more during those summer months and the May long weekend compared to the rest of the year. 

Visiting Sugarloaf Provincial Park and using an unserviced campsite, a site designated for pitching a tent without electricity or water, will cost $24 during the low season. But during the high season the cost of that same spot will jump to $30.