Georgia Board of Natural Resources Proposes 100% Increase in Parking Fees at State Parks, Including for Veterans

ATLANTA, GA - The Georgia Board of Natural Resources is considering a proposalfor a 100% increase in parking fees at state parks, including for veterans. Under a proposed rule change, the daily parking fees would increase from $5 to $10 for most users, and from $3.75 to $7.50 for active duty, disabled, and senior veterans. The cost of an annual parking pass would increase from $50 to $70 for most users, from $25 to $35 for senior citizens, from $37.50 to $52.50 for active duty military and disabled veterans, and from $18.75 to $26.25 for senior veterans over 62. The proposed rule changes come after an October 2025 performance audithighlighted opportunities to generate additional revenue for state parks.

The Board of Natural Resources is holding its next board meetingon Tuesday, October 28, in Atlanta, and will take public comments on the proposed rule change. Action on the fee increase is on the agenda.

In response to the news, the Sierra Club's Military Outdoors program and the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter issued the following statements:

"Georgia's state government holds its public lands in trust for all - not just those who can afford to pay. With a budget surplus in the billions, Georgia can strengthen its park system without shifting the cost onto the very people our parks are meant to serve," said Sherman Neal II, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club's Military Outdoors program and resident of Johns Creek. "Nearly half of metro Atlanta's veterans lack access to nearby green spaces, and many military families are struggling to make ends meet. As Veterans Day nears, Georgia's leaders should honor veterans' service by removing barriers to access the healing nature of the outdoors."

"The state parks of Georgia should be for all the people of Georgia, regardless of income. This is a terrible time to raise fees as a million Georgians are about to lose nutrition assistance, 1.5 million Georgians are facing massive increases in health insurance premiums, Georgia Power has raised rates 6 times, and tens of thousands of federal employees in Georgia are not getting paid," said Mark Woodall, Legislative Chair of the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter. "In these difficult times, we ought to be encouraging people to get outdoors, not making it harder."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.