National Park Service Archives

National Park ⁣Fees for Foreign ‌Tourists to Increase in 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) – Beginning next year, most⁤ international visitors‌ to seven of the United States’ most popular national parks will face significantly higher entrance fees, the National⁢ Park Service announced today. The move, ‌stemming from a July executive order by ⁣President Donald Trump, aims to⁢ bolster funding for park maintenance and upgrades.

The ⁣fee increases will impact visitors to Yellowstone,‍ Grand canyon, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Acadia, and Arches ⁤National Parks. While ⁤current ⁢entrance⁢ fees vary by ‍park, the new⁢ rates will‍ be $200 for individual foreign visitors and $300 for foreign visitor vehicles, a⁤ ample jump from the‌ existing range of $35 to $70 per vehicle. The changes are projected to generate additional revenue for park improvements, but have drawn‍ concern from ⁤conservation ⁢groups and the tourism industry.

According to the Department of the Interior, the increased ⁤revenue ‍will be dedicated to addressing deferred ‌maintenance projects and enhancing ‍visitor facilities within the affected parks. The U.S. Travel Association reported over ⁣14‍ million international visitors ⁤to national ‌parks and monuments in 2018. More recently, Yellowstone National Park⁤ data shows that nearly 15% of visitors‍ in 2024 were from outside‍ the U.S.,a decrease from⁤ 30% in 2018.

The proclamation also⁤ included a shift in the schedule⁤ for⁢ fee-free days,introducing⁤ “resident-only patriotic ‍fee-free days” for U.S. citizens, including Veterans Day, previously open to all visitors. the Department of the Interior had initially promoted the 2025 free days with the intention of ensuring ⁣access to public lands for “everyone, no matter their ZIP code.”

Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, stated the association will seek clarification from the Department of the Interior regarding the implementation of the new fee structure.‌ The changes are expected to take‌ affect in 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key facts:

Main Event: A wildfire, identified as the “Dragon Bravo Fire,” has caused meaningful damage at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.

key Impacts:

Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed: The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a significant landmark offering panoramic views, has been completely destroyed by the fire. The lodge, originally built in 1937 after a previous fire, comprised a main building, deluxe cabins, and regular cabins.
North Rim Closure: The North Rim of the Grand Canyon will remain closed for the rest of the season (May 15 to October 15) due to the fire.
Evacuations: Staff and hikers were evacuated from the North Rim before the fire intensified, and no injuries or deaths were reported.
South Rim Advisory: Visitors to the more popular South Rim are advised to stay updated on potential air quality alerts.

Fire Management:

The National Park Service is employing an “aggressive full suppression strategy” to manage the fire,which is described as “still very active.”

Political Reaction:

Arizona Governor’s Concerns: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called for a “comprehensive and independent investigation” into the federal government’s handling of the fire. She expressed concern that the fire was managed as a “controlled burn” during the driest and hottest part of the Arizona summer, leading to the devastating outcome.
Representative’s Statement: Rep. Greg Stanton (D-arizona) described the lodge’s destruction as “heartbreaking news.”

Other Details:

The text mentions a “chlorine leak” in the first sentence, but it’s unclear from the provided snippet how this relates to the wildfire.It might be a separate, unrelated incident mentioned in a preceding paragraph.
* The fire was reportedly started by a lightning strike.

In essence, the grand Canyon’s North Rim has suffered a major blow with the destruction of its historic lodge due to a wildfire, leading to its closure and prompting calls for an investigation into the fire’s management.

National Park Service

US National Park Fees Rise for International Tourists

National Park ⁣Fees for Foreign ‌Tourists to Increase in 2025

Wildfires in National Park Destroy Historic Grand Canyon Lodge