In 2013, more than nine million visitors to National Parks in Utah contributed $596 million to the state's economy and supported nearly nine thousand jobs related to tourism. The National Park Service is now recommending recreation fee increases at three of Southern Utah's most popular parks to help cover the cost of maintaining what they say is an important economic resource here.
Park Superintendents from Bryce Canyon, Zion National Parks and Cedar Breaks National Monument say a review of park service fee rates in Utah are part of a national assessment of park entrance fees that have not been updated since 2006.
During a public open house scheduled for Thursday at the Iron County Visitors Center in Cedar City they will explain to the public that more than 80 percent of collected fee revenues are reinvested directly back into the park where they are collected.
According to the National Park Service those fees were used in Bryce Canyon to help fund a shuttle bus system there. In Zion projects include improvements to campground roads and restrooms and at Cedar Breaks there are plans to construct a new ADA accessible trail from the Visitor Center to the Sunset View Overlook this year.
Fee changes are different for each park and public comments will only be accepted through Monday for Bryce Canyon. You have until Jan. 23 to comment on fee changes at Zion and until Jan. 30 to review and comment on proposed increases at Cedar Breaks. Thursday's open house takes place from 5-7 p.m.
Comments on Bryce Canyon's proposed fee increases will be accepted online until Monday, Jan. 12. Written comments may be mailed to:
Superintendent, Bryce Canyon National Park Attn: Fee Proposal PO Box 640201 Bryce, UT 84764
Comments on Zion's proposed fee increase are accepted until Jan. 23. Written comments may be mailed to:
Fee Program Coordinator Zion National Park Springdale, UT 84767
Comments on Cedar Breaks' fee increase are accepted until Jan. 30 by emailing Daphne Sewing or online. Written comments may be mailed to:
ATTN - Proposed Fee Increase Cedar Breaks National Monument 2390 West Highway 56 Cedar City, UT 84720
Fee changes are also suggested atGlen Canyon Recreation Area and Golden Spike National Monument.
