If you're planning a backcountry trip in Yellowstone National Park, it's going to cost you a little bit more. This month the park's new fee for backcountry travel is taking effect.
Ivan Kowski, the park's backcountry manager, told the Yellowstone Association that about 18,000 people spend a night under the stars in Yellowstone's backcountry each year. It takes nine backcountry offices, located at ranger stations throughout the park, to administer permits and relay important information about bear safety and trail conditions to backcountry travelers, the association notes in a newsletter.
"Previously, fees received through advance backcountry campsite reservations covered only about 17 percent of the cost of operating the backcountry offices," the association said. "The new permit fees are estimated to cover 40 percent of the cost."
Yellowstone's backcountry contains roughly 1,000 miles of trail, and 300 backcountry campsites.
Anyone obtaining a permit to stay overnight in the backcountry between Memorial Day and September 10 will pay a per person, per night permit fee for all individuals 9 years of age or older. Backpackers and boaters will pay $3 per person, per night, up to a total of $15 per night for groups of 5 or more. Stock users will be charged $5 per person, per night. (There is no permit fee for backcountry camping dates prior to Memorial Day and after September 10).
If you take frequent trips into the backcountry, you have the option to purchase an Annual Backcountry Pass for $25, which will cover the per person, per night fees for one year. The fee for advance reservations remains $25.
Comments
It's interesting how Yellowstone can offer an annual fee for folks capped at 25 bucks when we were told by Dale Ditmanson, chief moustache in the Smokies, that he wasn't able to make any concessions or changes in the backcountry fees and there would be no annual passes and he would not honor other national park passes.
Seems as if each Supt has the latitude to make any concessions they want, contrary to what we were led to believe.
This seems to be a very reasonable fee structure, including the annual fee ceiling. I don't think it is prohibitive to anyone seeking to hike backcountry.
It would be more reasonable than the edict imposed in the Smokies.
This thread has nothing to do with the Smokies.
This thread is about NPS backcountry fees being rammed down peoples throats and the Smokies is a fine example of the genesis of that very thing. If they can offer an annual pass at Yellowstone, then they can offer an annual pass at other parks like the Smokies, BS fork and other NPS units. Why don't you answer that question instead of continually supporting the crooked upper echelon NPS bureaucrats who told us they couldn't allow an annual fee for backpacking and other such lies characteristic of the agency managers, Rick?
Two points, backpacker. One, I don't have to personally answer any questions to you or your satisfaction. Two, I told Kurt I'd stop wrestling in the mud with a few of you guys, and so have yourself a pleasant evening without my assistance.
Because you are unable to answer any questions logically. Just like the NPS discrepancy with regard to implementation of backcountry fees across the system. Like your justifications, their rationale is all over the place with regard to these fees. When the NPS is bothered by questions from the public they are appointed to serve, they dismiss the questions or change the rationale.
There have been backcountry fees in most National Parks across the west for decades. Yellowstone also had a backcountry fee long before this year. Anyone that was planning a trip before they got there and wanted to guarantee their space used the backcountry system and paid a 25.00 fee to get a permit. I've given that park many of my george washingtons over the years, and none of my buddies and I griped about it. Yellowstone also has an entrance fee, something the Smokies does not.
Jeez... a little perspective and knowledge of NPS history could really help your constant misunderstanding and constant misinterpretation of this thing called reality, John.