The National Park Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to raise individual and motorcycle entrance fees in 2018.
Feedback from these comments will determine how, or if, fee increases will be implemented. The deadline for comments on the proposed fee increase is Friday, Sept. 1.
The fee increase proposal is part of a larger National Park Service (NPS) initiative to standardize fees for park units offering similar visitor services and experiences.
The National Park Service says that new revenue from the fee increases would be used to provide enhanced visitor services, including repair and maintenance of facilities, capital improvements, enhanced amenities, resource protection, and additional visitor programs and services.
Under the fee increase proposal, the cost of entering Arches or Canyonlands national parks for individuals would increase from $10 to $12 per person, including those who enter the parks on foot or by bicycle. Fees for motorcyclists would rise from $15 to $20, while fees for private vehicles would stay the same at $25.
All entrance receipts are valid for up to seven days at the park where they were purchased. The $50 Southeast Utah National Parks Annual Pass is valid for one year through the month of purchase and admits one private, noncommercial vehicle or the pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age, or to holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual, Senior, Access or Military passes.
Comments regarding the fee increase proposals may be submitted electronically on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) websites at: parkplanning.nps.gov/arch_fee_increase_2018 and parkplanning.nps.gov/cany_fee_increase_2018.
Comments can also be sent to: National Park Service, Southeast Utah Group, Attn: Planning and Compliance Coordinator, 2282 S. West Resource Blvd., Moab UT 84532. Faxed comments may be sent to 435-719-2300.
