I’ve spent many blogs touting the wonders of various national parks in hopes that readers would be inspired to pack up their families and see for themselves what incredible resources these areas offer. If the recounting of my adventures wasn’t enough to persuade you to make the trip sooner rather than later, perhaps this bit of news might: the government is about to raise entrance fees at several national parks over the next three summers.
The National Park Service is planning to phase in higher rates for annual park passes and fees per vehicle or person at about 130 of the 390 parks, monuments and other areas the agency manages. If you are wondering why you are only hearing about the rate increase now the reason is simple (and to me a bit shady). While the Park Service has carefully planned the increases for some time, it decided to have the individual parks advertise the fee changes, rather than publicize the news through its headquarters in Washington. (This is where it gets shady.) By doing so the local communities would be forced to absorb the negative feedback from disgruntled visitors. One of the places where the outcries have been loudest is at Yosemite in California, which is slated for a fee increase next year.
If you are planning a summer trip to any of the following national parks note that the entrance fees will be higher than they were last year:
•Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde, both in Colorado.
•Fort McHenry in Maryland.
•Martin Van Buren in New York.
•Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains, both in Texas.
•Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks and Zion, all in Utah.
•Colonial in Virginia.
By the summer of 2009, some of the nation’s most popular parks will be charging $50 for an annual pass. They are: Grand Canyon in Arizona; Yosemite; Glacier in Montana; Bryce and Zion, both in Utah; Rocky Mountain in Colorado; Olympic in Washington state; Grand Teton in Wyoming and Yellowstone in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
Several park advocacy groups, such as the National Parks Conservation Association have voiced disappointment about the planned rate increases. Members say the rate hikes could price some families out of being able to experience the parks. Conversely, directors at the Park Service maintain that admission to the parks will still be “absolutely a bargain,” when compared with the price of movie tickets for a family or entrance into places such as Disneyland.
What do you think? Will the rate increase deter you from visiting our nation’s parks?
Related Articles:
The Grand Canyon’s Newest Addition
Visiting California’s Yosemite National Park
State Natural Areas–An Adventure in Nature