Capitol Reef National Park Proposes Vehicle Entrance Fee Increase and Group Site Fee Restructure

Date: August 18, 2017
Contact: Pamela Rice, 435-425-4100

Torrey, UT  – Capitol Reef National Park is seeking public comment on a proposal to increase the entrance fee for private vehicles and restructure the group campsite fee rate beginning in 2018.  All other fees will remain the same. 
 
Visitors may access the trails along Highway 24 and the front country area near the Gifford House and picnic areas without paying an entrance fee. A park pass is required to access Scenic Drive past the Fruita Campground.
 
Proposed Fee Changes
 

Type of Entrance Fee	Current Fee	Proposed Fee
Private Vehicle*	$10	$15

 

Nightly Group Campsite Rate	Current	Proposed
Per Person	$4	N/A
Nightly Minimum	$75	$100
Nightly Maximum	$160	$100

 
Other Non-Commercial Fees (No Change)
 

Type of Entrance Fee	Current Fee
Annual Park Pass	$30
Motorcycle*	$10
Individual* (including entry by foot or bicycle)	$7

* Valid for up to seven (7) days.
 
Capitol Reef National Park offers approximately 10 fee-free days each year. Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or to holders of the America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Annual, Senior, Access, Military, or Volunteer Passes. These passes may be obtained at the park.

This fee proposal is part of a larger National Park Service (NPS) initiative to standardize fees for park units offering similar visitor services and experiences. At Capitol Reef National Park, 100% of fees stay at the park and are used to provide enhanced visitor services, repair and maintenance of facilities, capital improvements, enhanced amenities, resource protection, and additional visitor programs and services. Past fees have been used to plant new fruit trees, install water bottle filling stations, maintain trails, install new exhibits and signage, and make improvements to the Fruita Campground and bathroom facilities.
 
From 2000 to 2015, the 7-day entrance fee for a private vehicle remained at $5. In 2015, the cost increased to $10. The current proposed fee increase would bring the park inline with other parks that provide similar services and experiences.
 
Capitol Reef National Park is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2016, more than 1.1 million park visitors contributed an estimated $77 million to the local economy.
 
Comments regarding this fee proposal may be submitted electronically on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=74732 or by using one of the following methods:
 
Mail: Capitol Reef National Park
           Attn: Fee Proposal
           HC 70, Box 15
           Torrey, UT 84775
 
Email: e-mail us
 
Fax:   [phone]
 
Feedback provided though these comments will determine how, or if, changes to the park’s fee structure will be implemented. The deadline for comments on the proposed fee changes is September 18, 2017.
 

www.nps.gov/care