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#199360 - 10/25/17 11:48 PM National Park Fees going up
Jim M Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
I just heard the National Park Fees for Rainier and Olympic N.P. are going up to $70 per car. Hiking and camping in the national parks used to be something even families with limited incomes could enjoy. In that sense I think it is a recessive tax and for that I am against it. When I was a boy scout we had a lot of fun camping with inexpensive old army surplus gear. I wouldn't have been able to afford it if I it costs what it does now then.
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#201072 - 06/03/18 01:48 PM Re: National Park Fees going up [Re: Jim M]
troutstalker Offline
member

Registered: 06/02/18
Posts: 38
Loc: CO
Too bad about the prices rising for sure

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#201079 - 06/03/18 08:11 PM Re: National Park Fees going up [Re: troutstalker]
Lonerock Offline
member

Registered: 12/10/15
Posts: 55
Loc: Southern Oregon
The park service changed their mind about the $70 fee and decided to change it instead from $25 to $30 per vehicle and $50 to $55 for an annual pass. I would guess that the protest over the huge proposed increase convinced them to change their minds.

I too hate the idea of some families being unable to afford a trip to a national park. It shouldn't become the "sport of kings".

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#201796 - 09/26/18 06:55 PM Re: National Park Fees going up [Re: Lonerock]
Korak Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/19/18
Posts: 3
Loc: Utah
I'm of a split opinion. On the one hand, price is a natural level to control the amount of people and burden on the ecosystem. On the other hand, as you point out, money isn't evenly distributed so some folks could be blocked out.

Seems like maybe a 2 tier pricing model for "in state" vs "out of state" visitors might be a partial solution. Low income folks might be less likely to travel longer distances while more affluent folks would be more likely. It wouldn't be 100% of course but maybe better than just a flat increase across the board.

I don't know.

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#201812 - 09/28/18 05:24 PM Re: National Park Fees going up [Re: Korak]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I'm quite sure that a national park would not be allowed to set different fees for residents of different U.S. states--the federal courts would rule against such a discriminatory step.

State parks, of course, can charge more for nonresidents who don't pay taxes to that state. Many states do not do so because they are dependent on out-of-state tourism.

Technically, national parks could charge more for tourists from other countries, who do make up a significant percentage of their visitors. I suspect that the additional personnel needed to check everyone's ID or passport would offset any extra income!
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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