Higher National Park Fees Go into Effect Today
by Jessica Montevago /
Higher entrance fees at America's national parks go into effect today, June 1.
The National Park Service will begin charging $5 more for most seven-day vehicle passes to enter the 117 national parks that charge fees, out of 417 national parks, including the nation's most popular parks, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. More than two-thirds of national parks will remain free to enter.
At the Grand Canyon, one of the nation's most popular parks, park goers will be charged $5 more to $35 per vehicle, while the annual pass will climb by $10 to $70, according to the park service numbers.
The price of the annual pass and senior pass will remain $80.
The hike is less than the NPS original proposal that was unveiled in October, which called for more than doubling peak-season admission at 17 popular parks to $70.
At least 80 percent of the revenue from the fee increases will go back into the park where it is collected. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the increased entrance fees will help the park service address a nearly $12 billion backlog of maintenance projects.
