Zion National Park in Utah is raising entrance fees by as much as 75 per cent next year.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), the increased rates will apply to frontcountry campgrounds as well as day-use and overnight wilderness recreation permits. The park will also begin using an online reservation system for canyoneering, backpacking and other wilderness permits.
The increased fees vary by location and activity.
“We made these changes to improve accessibility and visitor service,” said Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. “These changes will help us maintain essential facilities such as restrooms and drinking water systems, rehabilitate campgrounds, and streamline the Wilderness Recreation Permit application process.”
For the frontcountry campgrounds, non-electric campsite rates at both Watchman Campground and South Campground will increase from $20 per night to $35 per night, a 75 per cent increase, effective 1 July 2024. The electric campsite rate at Watchman Campground will increase from $30 per night to $45 per night, and the non-electric campsite rate at Lava Point Campground will increase from $20 per night to $25 per night.
For example, a day-use permit for eight to 12 people – which includes activities such as a day hike of the Virgin River Narrows – will go from $25 per group to $10 per person, per day.
The park will also increase overnight permit fees for activities such as camping in designated wilderness campsites, bivouacking (camping in bivouacs) on climbs and large camping in approved areas.
For example, reservations made up to three months in advance will increase from $5 to $20 per reservation from 5 January.