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| Zion National Park |
The Trump administration announced Oct. 24 a proposed admission increase at 17 of the most popular national parks, including Yosemite and Yellowstone.
According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the fees were increased to address a $11.3 billion backlog for reconstructing park roads, fences and basic maintenance.
If implemented, national park entrance fees could go up to $70 per vehicle, $50 per motorcycle and $30 per person or bike, according to a National Parks Service news release.
According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the fees were increased to address a $11.3 billion backlog for reconstructing park roads, fences and basic maintenance.
If implemented, national park entrance fees could go up to $70 per vehicle, $50 per motorcycle and $30 per person or bike, according to a National Parks Service news release.
Currently, all visitors pay $25 or $20 for a weekly pass. The new fees could be implemented by May 1, in some parks. For national parks annual passes, which allow entrance onto all federal lands, the price stays at $80. 
The National Park Service says the price increase would only be implemented during the busiest five months of the year, which for most parks is between May and September.
Ryan Zinke, U.S. secretary of the Interior, in a public statement said the increase is necessary to fund renovation and restoration of the parks, but not all agree.
“We (National Park Service leadership) opposed it,” said Melissa Kuckro, assistant director of legislative and congressional affairs for the National Park’s headquarters in the District of Columbia. “This was initiative of the executive branch.”
The National Park Service has openly announced its opposition to the increase, stating that making the lands available to as many people as possible is important. Although the price increase is expected to give the parks $70 million, it is not enough to cover the multi-billion dollar backlog.
With the Trump Administration also proposing national park funding cuts, Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of National Parks Conservation Association, wants people to know that it is not solely visitors’ jobs to sustain the parks.
“If the administration wants to support national parks," Pierno said, "it needs to walk the walk and work with Congress to address the maintenance backlog. The solution to our parks’ repair needs cannot and should not be largely shouldered by its visitors.”
Since 2002, the annual budget of the National Park Service has been going up, but there are budget cuts foreseen in the future.
Instead of a fee increase, the National Parks Conservation Association supports a bill that is currently in Congress, the National Parks Service Legacy Act. According to Pierno, the act would provide money to sustain and support national parks financially so that families can afford to see them, not limit the parks’ availability to the public.
Map showing states affected by the fee increase.
California: Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Joshua Tree
Arizona: Grand Canyon
Washington: Mount Rainier and Olympic
Wyoming: Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Alaska: Denali
Colorado: Rocky Mountains
Utah: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Zion
Virginia: Shenandoah
Maine: Acadia
The National Park Service says the price increase would only be implemented during the busiest five months of the year, which for most parks is between May and September.
Ryan Zinke, U.S. secretary of the Interior, in a public statement said the increase is necessary to fund renovation and restoration of the parks, but not all agree.
“We (National Park Service leadership) opposed it,” said Melissa Kuckro, assistant director of legislative and congressional affairs for the National Park’s headquarters in the District of Columbia. “This was initiative of the executive branch.”
The National Park Service has openly announced its opposition to the increase, stating that making the lands available to as many people as possible is important. Although the price increase is expected to give the parks $70 million, it is not enough to cover the multi-billion dollar backlog.
With the Trump Administration also proposing national park funding cuts, Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of National Parks Conservation Association, wants people to know that it is not solely visitors’ jobs to sustain the parks.
“If the administration wants to support national parks," Pierno said, "it needs to walk the walk and work with Congress to address the maintenance backlog. The solution to our parks’ repair needs cannot and should not be largely shouldered by its visitors.”
Since 2002, the annual budget of the National Park Service has been going up, but there are budget cuts foreseen in the future.
The budget for National Parks Service, 2002 - 2018
Instead of a fee increase, the National Parks Conservation Association supports a bill that is currently in Congress, the National Parks Service Legacy Act. According to Pierno, the act would provide money to sustain and support national parks financially so that families can afford to see them, not limit the parks’ availability to the public.
-- Story and photo by Kendall George