National parks that charge fees given permission to increase prices for first time in eight years

Yosemite National Park

Beginning in 2015 it could cost a little more to visit some national parks, Katia Hetter reports for CNN. "For the first time in eight years National Park Service sites that charge entrance and amenity fees can increase their rates by set amounts."

One of the biggest increases will be at Yosemite National Park, which announced Tuesday that its entrance rates will increase from $20 to $30, and its camping fees will increase "from the current range of $5 to $20 per night for family sites ($40 per night for group sites) to a range of $6 to $24 per night for family sites ($48 per night for group sites)," Hetter writes. "The cost of national park passes will remain at $80 for the regular annual pass, $10 for the lifetime senior pass and free for the annual military passes and access passes (for those with permanent disabilities)."

The increase in prices is drawing strong opposition, Paul Rogers reports for the San Jose Mercury News. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Granite Bay) said on Monday, "Raising fees in a stagnant economy makes as much sense as a shopkeeper raising prices in a sales slump. Contrary to assertions by park managers, tourists don't go where they're not welcomed, and the national parks compete for tourism with a vast array of other destinations."

In addition to Yosemite, Mount Rainier National Park and Crater Lake National Park "are likely to see price hikes of 50 percent, while prices at some lesser-known gems like Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park might rise upwards of 150 percent," Brad Tuttle reports for Time. "Price increases are also being proposed for annual passes, campsites, boating permits and other services at dozens of park and recreations areas." (Read more)