News Release

Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments’ Entrance and Camping Fee Increases Begin April 1

Date: March 12, 2018
Contact: Jeannine McElveen, 435-692-1234

Entrance and campground fees at Natural Bridges National Monument and camping fees at Hovenweep National Monument will increase on April 1, 2018. The increased revenue will be used to fund deferred maintenance and other visitor service projects.

Entrance fees at Natural Bridges National Monument will increase on April 1, 2018, to comply with the 2014 National Park Service standard pricing model for Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) fees, as shown in the table below.  
 

Type of Entrance Fee	Current Rate	New Rate (Standard Pricing)
Vehicle	$10.00	$15.00
Individual (including entry by foot or bicycle)	$5.00	$7.00
Motorcycle	$5.00	$10.00

In addition, later in 2018, Hovenweep National Monument will reinstate entrance fees in accordance with the 2014 National Park Service standard pricing model for FLREA fees. The new entrance fee at Hovenweep will match the new fee rate at Natural Bridges, as shown in the table above.

Visitation to Hovenweep has increased almost 60% from 2014 when the decision was made that entrance fees collected were not sufficient to cover the cost of collecting those fees. A new analysis was completed that showed anticipated revenue resulting from the increased visitation would now be sufficient to collect fees. These fees will provide funds for deferred maintenance and visitor service projects.
 

Also, beginning April 1, 2018, camping fees at both Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments will increase. This seasonal increase is being implemented April 1 this year, but it will be in effect March 1 – October 31 in subsequent years.  

 

Dates	Current Full-Price Rate	New Full-Price Rate	Current Senior/Access Rate	New Senior/Access Rate
March 1 – October 31	$10.00	$15.00	$5.00	$7.00
November 1 – February 28	$10.00		$5.00

Camping fees have remained at $10 since at least 1998. Costs, including supplies and labor, have risen. Increased camping fees will provide additional revenue to fund campground operations and deferred maintenance projects.

In the fall of 2017, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments solicited comments on a proposed fee increases. During the public comment period, the parks received five comments. Of the five comments received, two supported raising all fees; one supported raising campground fees, but not Hovenweep entrance fees; and two were undetermined.