This story comes through a content-sharing partnership with Wyoming Public Media.
Popular recreation areas across the Mountain West are proposing price hikes for campsites, backcountry permits, parking spots and other amenities. Public land agencies say they’re responding to increased wear and tear on trails and facilities.
Fee changes could impact popular national parks like Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon and Glacier.
In Grand Teton, the rate for backcountry permits is currently $45 for advance reservations and $35 for walk-ups, regardless of group size or number of nights. But, park officials say those fees can be inequitable, so they’re proposing a flat fee of $20, plus $7 per person per night.
Park-goers have until Monday, Sept. 4 to submit comments online. The changes could take effect next year.
A trend across the West
Grand Teton isn’t alone is raising fees.
At Zion, for example, proposed fees would jump by 50 percent, or $15, at some campgrounds.
Mike Reynolds, deputy director at the National Park Service, said in recent congressional testimony that his agency needs extra funding to keep up with demand in recreation areas. Fees help pay for staffing, maintenance and rescue efforts.
“Visitors expect to find high-quality facilities, which enable a safe and memorable experience. Yet many of the roads, trails, restrooms and facilities in national parks are aging and strained by underfunding,” Reynolds said.
Lesser-known Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands could also see price hikes, including in Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. Increases recently took effect in Idaho and will later this year in New Mexico.
In many cases, agencies are considering public feedback this fall before they move forward with any changes.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
KHOL reporter Hanna Merzbach contributed to this story.
