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MOAB — Before you visit Utah’s national parks this summer, make sure you bring some extra cash — the National Park Service is raising the prices at four major national parks.
Officials say the “modest increase” in fees will go to improvement projects and maintenance and says it takes $11.5 billion to keep up with park maintenance each year. Entrance fees have already been rising across the U.S.
Bryce Canyon, Zion National Parks and Cedar Breaks National Monument asked for the public’s opinion last December and posted proposed fees on their websites and Facebook pages. Cedar Breaks Superintendent Paul Roelandt said there were “very few” negative comments since most of the public understood the reason for the extra funding.
“By law, these funds can only be used to help cover costs that are directly related to providing visitor services,” Bryce Canyon Superintendent Lisa Eckert said in a news release. “For example, entrance fees have supported a wide range of projects that improve the park and visitor experiences, including rehabilitating trails, developing and installing exhibits in visitor centers, improving park water systems and other infrastructures, and improving ADA accessibility.”
Park officials are calling it a “modest increase” and say the fees will continue to improve facilities and services for visitors. Entrance fees have not been changed since 2007.
Most entrance fees will not go into effect until July 1, but Cedar Breaks National Monument is raising prices this weekend.
Here’s a breakdown of the fees that will affect Utahns this summer:
Bryce Canyon
Entrance fees
Per vehicle ($5 increase): Current: $25. New: $30. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Per person ($3 increase): Current: $12. New: $15. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Annual park pass ($5 increase): Current: $30. New: $35. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Camping
Sunset and North Campground RV sites ($15 increase): Current: $15. New: $30. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Sunset and North Campground Tent Sites ($5 increase): Current: $15. New: $20. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Entrance fees
Per person ($1-$2 increase): Current: $4. New: $5. Effective: May 22, 2015. Fee will increase again May 2017 to $6.
Annual parks pass: Current: $20. New: $25. Effective: May 2017.
Camping
Point Supreme ($4-$6 increase): Current: $14. New: $18. Effective: May 22, 2015. Fee will increase again May 2017 to $20.
Zion National Park
Entrance fees
Per vehicle ($5 increase): Current: $25. New: $30. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Per person ($3 increase): Current: $12. New: $15. Effective: July 1, 2015.
Annual park pass: No change to $50 fee.
Capitol Reef National Park
Entrance fees
7-day single vehicle ($5 increase): Current: $5. New: $10. Effective: June 1, 2015.
Per person ($4 increase): Current: $3. New: $7. Effective: June 1, 2015.
Per motorcycle ($5 increase): Current: $5. New: $10. Effective: June 1, 2015.
Camping
Fruita Campground ($10 increase): Current: $10/night. New: $20/night. Effective: June 1, 2015.
New annual pass: $30
The camping fees at Capitol Reef will not increase until January 2016. Visit www.nps.gov/care for more information.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks have proposed new fees but have not yet set a date to increase prices.
Children under the age of 16 are still free at all parks. Officials also say the costs for passes from the America the Beautiful National Parks, Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program, and Interagency Passes will remain the same.
Officials hope raising prices at national parks across the U.S. will generate as much as $45 million each year.
Contributing: Keith McCord