4VAC15-20-155. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General. Camping on Wildlife Management Areas and other department-owned or department-managed lands.
Summary
The recommendation is to establish a fee of $10 associated with authorization for camping on Wildlife Management Areas and other department-owned or department-managed lands to offset increased costs associated with maintenance of these lands, enforcement of laws and regulations on these lands, and related administrative costs.
Proposed Language
Note: In the “Proposed Language” document, underlined text denotes proposed new language, while text with a strikethrough denotes language that is proposed to be deleted.
Rationale
In 2020, the Board adopted regulations requiring anyone camping on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), or on other Department-owned or Department-managed sites, to secure a no-cost camping authorization. This authorization provided a means for the DWR to know who was using DWR areas, document known start and end dates by camper, and have a way to contact campers in the event of an emergency. Up to six individuals are allowed under one camping authorization. Additionally, the authorization ensured that campers adhered to certain rules and requirements to reduce impacts to properties and reduce associated staff maintenance costs.
During 2025, the Department issued approximately 2,400 camping authorizations.
Prior to the implementation of the camping authorization, the agency had many instances of individuals setting up long-term camp sites or abandoning campers, tents and other equipment when not in use. The Department does not have the funding or staffing to manage long-term camping. Further, long-term camping can degrade wildlife habitat, which is a primary function of WMAs. In most cases, suitable camping locations are limited. Camping for longer than 14 nights could prevent others from enjoying DWR properties.
Even with the implementation of camping authorizations, the DWR continues to incur increased expenses associated with maintaining these areas on the WMAs and enforcing rules, regulations and laws on the areas. Increased demands by Virginians for natural places in which to recreate continues to put pressures on DWR lands. The 2024 Virginia Outdoors Plan corroborates this outcome, noting that 82% of respondents to the Virginia Outdoors Survey indicated that access to the outdoors was very important to them and that “natural areas” (i.e. undeveloped) were the most needed outdoor recreation asset (47% of respondents). The 2026 cost for primitive camping at Virginia State Parks ranges from $16-$21, plus a $5 non-refundable transaction fee and applicable Virginia sales tax. These rates are based on four guests at a camp site.
The proposed DWR $10 camping authorization fee will help offset on-going maintenance and development costs associated with both infrastructure and habitat on Department-owned and Department-managed lands, as well as law enforcement patrols needed to ensure user compliance with WMA rules, regulations, and laws and safety of the public on these properties. Acknowledging that there may be a nominal churn rate of 3%, the DWR anticipates that the new camping authorization fee will generate $23,450 additional revenue annually.