"With this fee increase, we're going to be able to keep all state parks open," Kemper said.

The service said it believes the fee hike won't be too much for most visitors and won't discourage more people from going to parks.

"Our main goal was to not press anyone out of state parks," Kemper said.

Even with the increase, she said, an entire vehicle can enter many state parks at the same cost or lower than the cost of a single ticket to the movies.

Park attendance is booming. The service's parks saw 20.7 million visits in the 2007-08 fiscal year and is on pace to beat the mark with the 2008-09 year ending June 30.

"With state park attendance breaking records and still on the rise, we have heard overwhelming support to keep all state parks open and available to the public," Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock said in a statement announcing the increase. "Even with this fee increase, it is comforting to know a trip to a state park still remains affordable."

THE NEW FEES

Here's a look at the entrance fees for local parks beginning Wednesday:

Anastasia State Park: $8 per vehicle

Amelia Island State Park: $2 a person

Big Talbot Island State Park: $2 per vehicle

Fort Clinch State Park: $6 per vehicle

George Crady Fishing Pier State Park: $2 a person

Gold Head Branch State Park: $5 per vehicle.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park: $6 per vehicle

Little Talbot Island State Park: $5 per vehicle

Washington Oaks State Park: $5 per vehicle

New fees for the top five parks in terms of attendance: Honeymoon Island State Park: $8 per vehicle Bill Bags Cape Florida State Park: $8 per vehicle John Pennkamp Coral Reef State Park: $8 per vehicle St. Andrews State Park: $8 per vehicle Sebastian Inlet State Park: $8 per vehicle

MORE ONLINE

For a complete list of entrance fees, visit www.floridastateparks.org/information/docs/DayUseEntranceFees_LP.pdf