Entrance fees to rise at some parks
In addition, based on the recommendation of consultants hired by the NPS, about one-third of the national parks will announce increases in fees for annual passes and automobile admission over the next three years. The NPS, which has planned the increases for some time, did not publicize them from its headquarters in Washington, leaving that job to site managers.

“The intention is to let affected communities absorb the news and see if they would go along with the increases,” says David Barna, chief of communications for the agency, in a Washington Post article. Park superintendents can recommend that the increases be rescinded if enough people protest.

“The fee increases are in line with a consultant’s recommendation that the parks charge fees according to four categories of annual passes based on park size, amount of services offered, and other factors,” Barna says.

In light of these increases, many people share the concern that their entrance fees go to the federal government and are not used by the parks for improvements. “Before 1996, this money did go into the treasury, but the fees now stay in the national parks,” Kupper says. “Since 1998, an estimated $1.34 billion in entrance fees have funded about 11,700 projects in our parks, everything from buildings to basic infrastructure. All of that money is now used to improve the visitor’s experience.”

National parks still a bargain
But for a family visiting many of the parks, entrance fees are a small part of what they will have to pay. They will also spend money for accommodations, food, and other necessities. The NPS makes sure that these costs remain in line. “There are specific guidelines so these costs are competitive with those in the area where the park is located, so visitors will pay the same as they would anywhere near the park” Kupper says.

“Finally, keep in mind that older adults can obtain an America the Beautiful Interagency Senior Pass for a onetime fee of $10. Then they get into all 391 national parks without additional fees for the rest of their lives. In other words, increasing fees do not affect seniors,” Barna says. Furthermore, all those accompanying someone with a Senior Pass will be able to enter the parks without paying a fee.

“We really want to connect with everybody because our national parks represent the best of America. They are almost a microcosm of our country, with their culture and history, and they are right there in most people’s backyards. And even with the proposed fee increases, our national parks are still a bargain,” Kupper says.