U.S. Raises Entrance Fees For Some National Parks

Before you travel to Yellowstone or Yosemite for your next trip, check the price of admission.

Travelers should be prepared for higher fees next time they visit their favorite national parks, as the National Park Service recently hiked entry fees at 130 locations in order to raise the money needed to repair trails, bridges and visitor buildings.

For the first time since 2006, price increases were implemented at popular sites including Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon as well as small monuments and historic sites. Fee increases were put on hold during the recession so parks would still entice travelers to visit.

New fees range from $30 for a single-vehicle entry to Yosemite, up from the previous $20 charge; $80 for an annual pass to the Rocky Mountain in Colorado, increased from $40; and a $20 charge to motorcyclists entering Joshua Tree in southeast California, a hike of $15.

According to Jonathan Jarvis, director, National Parks, in an Associated Press article, the National Park Service requires $11.5 billion to complete all the repairs necessary to handle the 293 million people who visit the parks each year.

Find a park near you and learn more about the fees online.