Parks to increase entrance fees for 2006
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
October 3, 2005
The National Park Service (NPS) announced that on May 1, 2006, both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks will begin charging slightly higher fees for certain entrance permits. Fee increases will apply to both the per-person and single, private vehicle permits.
Entrance fees will include the following options:
Single entry (non-motorized) $12 (7 days, both parks)
Motorcycle $20 (7 days, both parks)*
Private, noncommercial automobile $25 (7 days, both parks)
Annual permit, both parks $40 (one year from date of purchase)
National Parks Pass - $50 (valid for one year entry to all NPS units)
*The fee for an individual snowmobile will remain the same at this time ($15 for 1 day or $20 for 7 days). A final winter use plan and Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to be completed and implemented by the winter and 2007-2008, and a fee increase could be considered at that time.
Entrance fees for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks have not increased since December 1996, when Congress authorized and implemented the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program. Monies from this federally approved program were used to address backlogs in national parks' infrastructure. Some projects funded under the program included improved handicapped accessibility; protection of cultural and natural resources; habitat restoration; rehabilitation of trails and overlooks; and control of exotic species.
The Fee Demonstration Program was recently replaced by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). Under the authority of FLREA, parks are allowed to retain up to 80 percent of the recreation fees collected. The program calls for using entrance fees collected by the parks to continue addressing the deferred maintenance backlog, with a strong emphasis toward projects that will enhance visitor health and safety, access, and enjoyment.
Under the new FLREA fee system, Yellowstone anticipates an estimated $1 million each year in additional revenue, and Grand Teton anticipates an estimated $500,000 in additional revenue each year.
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