News Release

Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments Seek Public Input on Proposed Campground Fee Increases

Date: August 16, 2021
Contact: Vernon Cody, 435-692-1234
Contact: Amy Tendick, 435-719-2100

The National Park Service is seeking public comment on changes to campground fees under consideration for Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments in 2022.

We propose to increase campground fees at both Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments on January 1, 2022.

Proposed Changes to Campground Fees

	Hovenweep	Natural Bridges
Current Rates	$15/night	$15/night
Proposed 2022 Rates	$20/night	$16/night

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.

Comments regarding these fee-increase proposals may be submitted electronically on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HOVENABRcampfees

Written comments may be sent to:
National Park Service
Natural Bridges National Monument
Attn: Superintendent
HC 60 Box 1
Lake Powell, UT 84533

or to

National Park Service
Southeast Utah Group
Attn: Planning and Compliance Coordinator
2282 SW Resource Blvd.
Moab, UT 84532

Feedback from these comments will determine how, or if, fee changes will be implemented.

Deadline for comments on the proposed fee increase is September 15, 2021.

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