Public Comment Sought for Potential Fee Increase at Craters of the Moon

Date: October 22, 2014

Public Comment Sought for Potential Fee Increases at Craters of the Moon National Monument 

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO) is seeking public comment for potential fee increases affecting entrance fees and camping. This is part of a National Park System-wide effort to standardize entrance fees by establishing four tiers of fee levels. CRMO has been placed in Tier 1, the lowest level of fees to be charged at parks. The entrance fees apply only to the Craters of the Moon scenic loop drive area located just off U.S. Highway 20/26/93 between Arco and Carey.

To solicit public input, from now through November staff will set up an information table at the park visitor center where visitors can offer their comments about the proposed fee increases and learn more about projects funded by the fee program. The table will be staffed on two Saturdays in November (November 8 and 22) from 10 AM to 2 PM with park managers to discuss past and future projects to be funded from possible fee increases. The public is also invited to comment until the end of November on the park Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CratersoftheMoonNationalMonument) or email comments directly toe-mail us The current park entrance fees of $8 per vehicle and $10 per campsite have been in place since 2006.

CRMO FEES	CURRENT since 2005	PROPOSED under Tier 1
Individual (bicycle, foot, organized group)	$4	$7
Vehicle	$8	$15
Motorcycle	$4	$10
Annual CRMO Pass	not applicable	$30
Camping	$10 ($6 off-season)	$15 ($10 off-season)
1-6 Passenger Capacity   (commercial)	$25 + $4 per passenger	$25 + $7 per passenger (not to exceed $40)
7-15 Passenger Capacity	$40	$40
16-25 Passenger Capacity	$40	$40
26+ Passenger Capacity	$100	$100

Commercial tour fees would not change except for tour vehicles of 1-6 people would be charged the $7 per person fee instead of the current $4.

Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Senior, Access or Military Passes. These passes may be obtained at the Park. No changes in pricing are planned to these passes at this time.

"We are committed to keeping the park affordable but we also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience," said Craters of the Moon Superintendent Dan Buckley. "The money from camping and entrance fees is used to maintain and enhance the visitor experience including maintenance of roads and buildings, and providing interpretive and educational programs. It will be especially useful for local citizens to be able to purchase a new option, a Craters of the Moon-specific annual pass."

Past funding from the fee program has helped improve park infrastructure, transport Idaho schoolchildren to the park, help install energy and water-saving devices, provided rangers and maintenance personnel for the campground, install new entrance signs, install picnic tables, maintain trails and improve interpretive exhibits and programs. Additional revenue raised by a fee increase would help grow the youth education program, enhance picnic and camping opportunities,  provide for a mountain bike trail, and increase the number of hiking trails in the monument.

Craters of the Moon is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows 200,525 visitors to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in 2013 spent $6.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 94 jobs in the local area.

Following the month-long public feedback solicitation period, park management, along with the Pacific West Regional Office, will determine how, or if, any fee increase would be implemented.  

Call 208-527-1335 for more information.