× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Beginning July 1, non-Iowa residents will pay a $5 entrance fee at Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs and at Waubonsie State Park north of Hamburg.

On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the legislation, which was introduced by Iowa Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs. The three-year trial will end July 1, 2022, unless reauthorized.

“This is not a unique idea,” Dawson said. “It’s a fairness thing.”

Dawson noted that most surrounding states — Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin — charge out-of-state residents an entry fee for their state parks.

“When I was campaigning and talking to people about issues, a lot of people asked me why we don’t have a park fee,” he said.

Dawson said the entry fee will provide additional funds for the parks and will serve as another tool for law enforcement.

The bill calls for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to charge an entrance fee of $5 per vehicle for a nonresident of the state.