U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke – photo by Gage Skidmore
The National Park Service and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced today plans to increase entrance fees during peak season at many of the nation’s busiest national parks by up to 180%. The proposed new entrance fee would be $70 per vehicle, $50 per motorcycle, and $30 per person on bike or foot. That’s up from $25-$30 at the parks where the increase would be implemented: Arches, Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Denali, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Mount Rainier, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Shenandoah, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. Under the proposal, the fee for the $80 America the Beautiful national pass remains the same.
Zinke says the increase is necessary to repair aging infrastructure. “Targeted fee increases at some of our most-visited parks will help ensure that they are protected and preserved in perpetuity and that visitors enjoy a world-class experience that mirrors the amazing destinations they are visiting,” he said.
A public comment period on the proposal will be open until to November 23, 2017, at parkplanning.nps.gov. Written comments can be sent to 1849 C Street, NW, Mail Stop: 2346 Washington, DC 20240.
The Department of the Interior suggests that the new fees will increase national park revenue by $70 million per year. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, 80% of an entrance fee remains in the park where it is collected. The other 20% is spent on projects in other national parks.
