We all know and love dynamic pricing! Well, maybe not love. Dynamic pricing means the price you pay for a product or service can change frequently based on factors like demand and availability. For customers, you often don’t know what you’re paying until you make a purchase. The inability to see your actual price up front is also sneaking into Wisconsin State Park camping, including the popular Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
As of May 1st, the price of camping for non-residents in Wisconsin went up by $10. This was enacted as part of the 2023 Wisconsin Act 19 (the 23-25 Biennial Budget). But here’s where it gets tricky:
“Campsite rates for Wisconsin State Park System properties vary and are based on any of the following: residency, electricity and amenities, location, campsite type, day of week and season. Site rates are visible when you select the site.” – DNR Camping FAQ
However, this quote from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website isn’t quite accurate. The only way for a potential out-of-state camper to figure out what they will pay for camping at Devil’s Lake State Park or any other Wisconsin state park (outside of calling directly) is by registering in Wisconsin’s system first. According to the DNR’s Office of Communication, the reservation software does not allow the park system to display multiple rates upfront. So a non-resident will have to go through the act of selecting, and creating an account (giving the state their contact information) before they learn that they will be paying a rate that is now $15 per night more than the initial rate they were shown. This falls under the “additional fees or discounts may apply” notice.
Now, this isn’t exactly dynamic pricing, but it shows us that the current reservation system, where the price is based on many factors and doesn’t always present the true cost upfront, could be one slippery step in that direction.
For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
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