The National Park Service has announced a proposal to more than double the peak-season entrance fees at the country's busiest national parks, including Shenandoah, Yosemite, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon.
The park service said Tuesday that it needs the revenue expected from the fees to address its
nearly $12 billion backlog of deferred maintenance. But the announcement has been met with worries that higher prices will push the parks out of reach for many Americans.
"Targeted fee increases at some of our most-visited parks will help ensure that they are protected and preserved in perpetuity and that visitors enjoy a world-class experience that mirrors the amazing destinations they are visiting," Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said
in a statement.
The rate hike would affect the 17 national parks that already drive the most revenue. Those sites, which stretch from Denali in Alaska to Acadia in Maine, generate 70 percent of all park entrance fees. Most national parks are free to enter: Of the 417 total NPS sites, only 118 charge admission fees.
The proposed rates would significantly increase the costs to enter the parks during their busiest months. Entry at these parks currently costs $25 or $30 per vehicle, no matter the season. Under the new rates, entrance would cost $75 per vehicle during a five-month peak season.
Per-person entry fees, $10-$15 at the current rate, would rise to $30 during peak season. The cost for an annual pass for access to all parks would remain unchanged at $80.