If you've decided not to visit a national park because of increasing entrance fees, you're probably not alone.
Check out these visitation figures from park units clustered around the Four Corners region. The figures represent the decrease, or increase, in visitation since 1997 when the Park Service was first allowed to increase entrance fees and hold onto that change and last year.
While the missing visitors weren't asked why they stopped visiting the park units, is it mere coincidence that the drops occurred since "Fee Demo" took root?
Aztec National Monument: Down 34%
Bandelier National Monument: Down
40%
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Down 24%
Chaco National Historic Park: Down 67%
Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area: Down 22%
Great Sand Dunes National Park: Down
17%
Hovenweep National Monument: Up 8%
Mesa Verde
National Park: Down 11%
Natural Bridges National Monument: Down
36%
Rocky Mountain National Park: Down 7%
Source: http://www2.nature.nps.gov/stats/
Add all the numbers up and they represent a drop of more than 1.2 million visitors to these parks.
Visitation Trends
Add comment
Support Journalism about National Parks!
National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The Essential RVing Guide
The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.
This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.
You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.
So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.
Comments