Editor's note: This updates with Grand Teton's proposed fee increases.
Yellowstone National Park officials, seeking to cover more of their bills, are proposing sweeping changes in their fees, from higher entrance fees to backcountry user fees. If all the proposals were instituted, it would generate roughly $3 million for the park, which currently spends about $4 million a year in existing fees on projects ranging from campground upgrades to road repairs.
At the same time, Grand Teton National Park a short distance down the road also is proposing to boost its fees, with a week-long pass proposed to cost $30 (up from $25).
Yellowstone, though, is proposing the most significant changes in fees.
Under current legislation, 80 percent of the revenue from entrance fees is allowed to remain in the park and used on projects which benefit park visitors. Currently, visitors pay $25 for a 7-day pass for a single, non-commercial vehicle entry into both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, with the current cost of an annual two-park pass at $50.
Yellowstone officials are proposing to offer a 3-day Yellowstone-only pass for $30. A 7-day pass good for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton would be available for $50. An annual pass to Yellowstone only will be $60. Those entering the park by motorcycle or snowmobile are currently charged $20 for a 7-day pass honored at both parks. The proposal is to offer a 3-day Yellowstone only pass for $25 and a 7-day pass for $40 honored at both parks.
Individuals who enter the park on foot, bicycle, skis, or as snowcoach passengers currently pay $12 for a 7-day pass. That would be increased to $15 for 1-3 days in Yellowstone, or $25 for 7 days at both parks.
The Interagency Pass rates will remain the same: Annual ($80), Senior ($10), Access and Military ($0).
These proposed changes would result in additional annual revenue of approximately $3 million for Yellowstone, where officials say the money would be used to continue or enhance projects such as Yellowstone cutthroat trout restoration, maintenance for the park’s seven campgrounds, preservation maintenance on park roads, improved restroom facilities, reconstruction and rehabilitation of trails including Tower Falls, and a new North Entrance Station facility.
Additionally, the park is proposing to institute a fee for overnight backcountry permits to help recover costs associated with the park’s backcountry program. In the past, Yellowstone has not charged an overnight backcountry permit fee, but a reservation fee, currently $25, has been charged since 1996.
The proposed backcountry camping permit fee would be $3 per person (age 9 and older) per night with a maximum party limit of $15 per night for backpackers. Stock groups would be charged $5 per person per night with no maximum fee limit. The current $25 fee for trips reserved more than 48 hours in advance would remain the same.
Users would be able to purchase an Annual Backcountry Pass for $25 which would exempt that individual from the per-person per-night fee.
Additional revenue from overnight backcountry permit fees would be used to help to sustain the current level of service that visitors expect and ensure that Yellowstone can continue to provide service at multiple locations throughout the park.
The current revenue stream from advance reservations covers 17 percent of the cost to operate all backcountry offices, while the proposed fee is expected to raise backcountry fee revenue to approximately 43 percent of the cost to operate backcountry offices.
The public is encouraged to attend one of the following public meetings to learn more about the proposed fee changes:
- Tuesday, November 11 in Cody, Wyo.: Holiday Inn at Buffalo Bill Village 6:30-8:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 12 in Jackson, Wyo.: The Lexington 6:30-8:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 18 in Bozeman, Mont.: Hilton Garden Inn 6:30-8:00 pm
Comments may also be hand-delivered during normal business hours to the mailroom in the park’s Administration Building in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, at one of the public scoping meetings, or mailed to: Management Assistant Office, Attn: Entrance Fee Proposal, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY, 82190.
Comments will not be accepted by fax, e-mail, or in any other way than those specified above. All comments must be received by midnight MST on Friday, December 5th, 2014.
Grand Teton officials say the proposed increases are part of a larger National Park Service initiative to update entry fees that have been in place since 2006 in national parks across the country. As a first step toward potential fee changes, Yellowstone and Grand Teton will conduct a public open house on Wednesday, November 12, at the Lexington Inn on North Cache in Jackson, Wyoming from 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. Public comments will help determine how, or if, fee changes would be implemented at Grand Teton. The comment period will be open for 30 days from November 5 through midnight December 5, 2014.
The current Grand Teton fee structure, in place since 2006, includes:
- $25 for a 7-day pass to enter both Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park by private vehicle
- $50 for a Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one-year entry into both national parks
- $80 for an Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all fee areas on federal lands
- $12 for a 7-day pass to enter both Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park by foot/bicycle
- $20 for a 7-day pass to both Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park by motorcycle
Proposed fee changes would include:
- $30 for a 7-day pass to enter only Grand Teton National Park by private vehicle
- $50 for a 7-day pass to enter both Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park by private vehicle
- $60 for a Grand Teton National Park Annual Pass valid for one-year entry into Grand Teton only
- $80 for an Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all fee areas on federal lands
- $15 for a 7-day pass to enter only Grand Teton National Park by foot/bicycle
- $25 for a 7-day pass to enter only Grand Teton National Park by motorcycle
Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age, or to holders of the following interagency passes: Interagency Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($10), Access Pass or Military Pass ($0).
“National parks have historically provided an affordable and memorable vacation experience for individuals and families. When compared to other vacation or recreation areas, national parks offer a bargain for many travelers,” said Grand Teton National Superintendent David Vela. “National parks have also struggled to keep pace with increasing costs of providing the best possible visitor experience and therefore, we are looking at a modest fee change that will address the expense of providing important visitor services while keeping pace with the cost of doing business.
"Revenues from entrance fees are used for a variety of critical needs at Grand Teton, including trail improvement, road and pathway resurfacing, restoration of wildlife habitat, and stabilization of historic buildings.”
In the past, entrance fee revenues have supported the multi-phase restoration of the Kelly hayfields to improve wildlife habitat for bison and elk, the printing and distribution of park brochures for visitor information and education, road improvement and trail renewal projects.
Anyone wishing to provide public comment about the proposed restructure of park entrance fees should send written comments to: Superintendent, Grand Teton National Park, P.O. Box 170, Moose, Wyoming 83012, or submit comments online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GRTEchangestofees. Comments will not be accepted by fax, e-mail, or in any other way than those specified.
Changes to the fee structure are proposed to become effective May 1, 2015.
Comments
Frankly, that $5 simply keeps pace with inflation over the last 8 years. It's still a steal, and a drop in the bucket of what people spend to go to these parks. Frankly, they should make it $50, and it would still be affordable.
50 dollars for sleeping on the ground. What amenities, Zebulon, are provided by the NPS for that privilege which you think should be comparable to low end hotels?
Just curious where, in the above story or Zebulon's comment, you found anything about "50 dollars for sleeping on the ground"? I believe Zebulon was referring to the proposed increase of $5 per car for a multiday entrance fee. His point seemed to be that he wouldn't object to $50 instead of the proposed $30 per car entrance fee.
In my own view, fee increases are the result of a failure by Congress to provide adequate funding for core operational and maintenance needs in these parks and other public lands. Like many of our fee proposals, they are regressive in nature, those least able to afford them are affected the most.
That's the real issue.
I also resent that those of us outside Yellowstone's immediate vicinity are not allowed to comment without traveling there.
Whatever happened to funding the national parks through our taxes???
Nice sentiment, rmackie.
Carefull there Megaera, Lee will come after you with his "great American entitilement mentality" comment. But then, probably not. You are on "his side" so consistency of the application of that charge will be abandoned for ideology. Too bad, it is probably deserved here.
Yes our taxes go to the basic establishment and maintainance of the parks to make sure they exist. But when it comes to providing interprative programs, signage, road/trail maintance, consessions, etc, it is only appropriate that those that use, pay.
In my opinion, the parks are like most other things. The closer we can get the payers to the users the better.
Megera, you can comment online per the link in the article. I certainly did. I've stated before the entrance fees and other fees have always felt like a bargain to me but it now seems we are being inundated by fee increases at every twist of the trail. In times of stagflation if not deflation, wages in decline these proposals seem excessive. I do share EC's sentiments that the closer to the user paying for the services the better but this needs to apply to more than just the parks. I am still baffled by the lack of fees in the east particularily the smokies. How does that make any sense?
And another thing! (kidding) Megera, I do share some of your frustration that in person comments for all practical purposes require you to live near the parks. This seems to validate others accusations that it is not a genuine attempt to get the true views of the public. I am sure the data is there but I would guess the majority of visitors to any park come from distances not conducive to showing up for what amounts to a town hall meeting. You may as well propose a raise to international visitors but require them to come to the U.S. to give their opinion. I am also wondering what the differences in wages play in opinions. If one lives and works in San Francisco for example a $50 daily entrance fee may seem reasonable to get into Yosemite while someone living in say Mississippi or West Virginia it might seem outrageous. I am not saying there are not wealthy or poor people in every state just what one’s own personal income or economic status will play a large part in their opinion. Toss in average wage discrepancies from state to state and the discussion gets even more interesting. OK, I’ve rambled enough for one night J