National Park Fees Could Rise to $70 at Some Parks

Yellowstone National Park is one of 17 national parks that could see entrance fee increases.

One of the best travel resources America has are our national parks, but if the National Park Service has its way, entry fees could rise to $70 at some of the most popular parks.

Fees would rise at 17 of the busiest parks during “peak season,” defined as the busiest five-month period of visitation at each park, the National Park Service said in a news release.

The plan would increase fees at each of the following national parks:

Acadia
Arches
Bryce Canyon
Canyonlands
Denali
Glacier
Grand Canyon
Grand Teton
Joshua Tree National Park
Mount Rainier
Olympic
Rocky Mountain
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Shenandoah National Park
Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion

During the peak season at each park, the entrance fee would be $70 per private, non-commercial vehicle, $50 per motorcycle, and $30 per person on bike or foot. Currently, those parks charge $25 to $30 for a private noncommercial vehicle entry.

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced the plan, stating the increase was needed to pay for “improvements to the aging infrastructure of national parks.” They also stated the increased fees would bring in $70 million in new national park revenue, a 34 percent increase over 2016.

A park-specific annual pass for any of the 17 parks would be available for $75.

The cost of the annual America the Beautiful- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which provides entrance to all federal lands, including parks for a one-year period, would remain $80.

A public comment period on the peak-season entrance fee proposal will be open from October 24, 2017 to November 23, 2017, on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website . Written comments can be sent to 1849 C Street, NW, Mail Stop: 2346 Washington, DC 20240.

I do feel that the added revenue will be good for the improving the parks. 80% of all park admission fees stay within the park. However, I worry that $70 might be a price point that keeps many families from experiencing the parks, since it’s twice the current rate.

What do you think?

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