Just like at churches, local parks’ staff say attendance is highest on Easter Sunday, so Orange County park-goers will pay a premium with one-day higher parking fees.

Last year, nearly 10,000 people packed Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley, 8,000 people were at Mason Regional Park in Irvine, and 7,433 people enjoyed the outdoors at Irvine Regional Park in Orange.

“Easter is the busiest day of the year for us,” said Marisa O’Neil, spokeswoman for OC Parks. “It’s generally two or three times as high as what a normal Sunday would be. For many families, it’s a tradition to celebrate Easter at a park.”

That tradition also means more money for the county park system. Easter is among three holidays that sees higher prices to park at 10 of the 15 regional parks in the system. Admission to these lots will be $7, up from the usual $5 on weekends and $3 on weekdays.

Park officials say the cost goes up on Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day and around the Persian New Year, which this year began March 20. The unusually large crowds, often double or triple the size of a regular Sunday, require more park staff and overtime hours to keep structures and bathrooms clean and tidy. OC Parks also funds extra support from police departments and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which patrol parks.

Last year, a milelong line of cars formed by 4:30 a.m. at Irvine Regional Park. The park opened at 6, and lots were filled by 8:30.

Across the way, Santiago Canyon College charged $10 for Irvine Park users and found more than 1,000 takers. The college will offer parking again this year.

Wilderness parks in the OC Parks system are also popular, but not as coveted as the regional parks, which can accommodate large groups.

The parking costs at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Lake Forest, Riley Wilderness Park in Coto De Caza, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park in Laguna Niguel and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park at Laguna Beach all are $3 a day. That price does not change for Easter.

Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach and Capistrano Beach in Dana Point are popular but have no cost increases. Parking fees are $1 an hour and are metered.

Caspers Wilderness Park on Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano is OC Parks’ largest park at 8,000 acres. Its day use cost of $5 doesn’t increase for Easter. Camping spots for a single family are $20.

Weddings and parties that include vendor services normally require additional permits at the parks. Due to high volumes on Easter and Mother’s Day, the special events are not allowed, O’Neil said.

Park-goers who purchased annual passes for the regional and wilderness parks and the beaches will not be affected by the holiday rate increase. Passes for the regional and wilderness parks cost $55 per year. Passes that include county beaches are $80 per year. Passes are good from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

Most county regional parks are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Except for Irvine Regional Park and Laguna Niguel Regional Park, which open at 6 a.m., wilderness parks are open 7 a.m. to sunset. Aliso and Capistrano beaches are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Salt Creek is open 5 a.m. to midnight.

Six state beaches along Orange County’s coastline – Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington State Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Doheny State Beach, San Clemente State Beach and San Onofre State Beach – also draw thousands of visitors on Easter and during spring break, especially if the weather and surf are good, said Rich Haydon, the park superintendent who oversees San Clemente, San Onofre and Doheny parks.

Doheny in Dana Point often has the largest Easter and holiday crowds among the state parks, up to 6,000. Parking costs at the state parks do not increase on holidays.

A day pass at these parks is $15. An annual pass, which gives access to all six state parks, is $195. A pilot program at Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach gives people an option to pay by the hour, Haydon said.

State parks open at 6 a.m. and close at dusk.

Contact the writer: 949-492-5152 or eritchie@ocregister.com or twitter.com/lagunaini