The Michigan Senate has voted to eliminate state park entrance fees and instead ask drivers to voluntarily pay higher vehicle registration fees.
The funding change is designed to raise more money for a park system that supporters say is at the breaking point financially.
Visitors to state parks and boat launches no longer would pay $6 for a daily sticker or $24 for an annual pass under legislation approved 25-12 Thursday and sent to the House.
Drivers instead could pay $10 annually when renewing their license plate to get unlimited access to state parks, forests, recreation areas and boating sites.
Or they could choose not to pay the fee and stay out of the parks.
Opponents of the bill say vehicle fees should go to fixing up roads, not parks.