Higher Camping Fees Take Effect at 2 Md. National Parks

 Camping costs are going up at two national parks in Maryland.

Higher campground fees take effect Monday at Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont and the Chesapeake and the Ohio Canal National Historical Park along the Potomac River.

At Catoctin, tent and trailer camping at the Owens Creek Campground now costs $30 a night, up from $25 last year. Fees have also risen for large-group camping and most cabin and lodge rentals at Catoctin.

The fee at drive-in campgrounds along the C&O Canal had doubled to $20 a night for tent campers and $40 a night for large groups.

The park also has raised fees at the Carderock Group Picnic Pavilion and at Great Falls, the only point where an entrance fee is charged. Pedestrian passes will increase to $5, a 3-day car pass will increase to $10 and a motorcycle pass will also cost you $10. An annual park pass will now be $30.