News Release

Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments’ Camping Fee Increases Begin January 1, 2023

Date: December 18, 2022
Contact: Sierra Coon, 970-562-4282
Contact: Vernon Cody, 435-692-1234

Campground fees will increase at Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments on January 1, 2023. The increased revenue will be used to fund deferred maintenance and other visitor services projects.

Table comparing the current and future camping rates for Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments.

	Current Full-Price Rate	Current Senior/Access Rate	New Full-Price Rate	New Senior/Access Rate
Hovenweep	$15	$7.50	$20	$10
Natural Bridges	$15	$7.50	$16	$8

Camping fees were last raised in 2018, after having been unchanged for at least 20 years. Costs, including supplies and labor, have risen. Comparability rate studies have been completed to ensure that park campground rates do not undercut business at private campgrounds in nearby communities. This pricing structure also brings the Hovenweep and Natural Bridges campgrounds into line with similar campgrounds in the other Southeast Utah Group parks. Increased camping fees will provide additional revenue to fund campground operations and deferred maintenance projects.

Camping fees are authorized under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). Recent projects completed at Natural Bridges using FLREA funds include rehabilitation of the mesa top trails, repairing the shade structures at the picnic area, and current work on upgrading the campground amphitheater and trail. Recent projects completed at Hovenweep using FLREA funds include repairing tent pads at the campground, replacing the damaged cattle guard at the park entrance, and ongoing preservation work on several ancestral Puebloan structures. Most projects were completed by employees hired from local communities.

In the fall of 2021, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments solicited comments on proposed fee increases. During the public comment period, the parks received twelve comments. Of the twelve comments received, five supported the proposed fee increase as presented, two suggested larger fee increases at Natural Bridges National Monument, four were opposed to any fee increases, and one was undetermined.

For additional information about Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments, please visit our websites: www.nps.gov/hove and www.nps.gov/nabr, respectively.