Petrified Forest National Park Proposes to Raise Entrance Fees

Date: November 19, 2014
Contact: Brad Traver, 928-524-6228 Ext. 225

Petrified Forest National Park is considering raising entrance fees to the park for the first time since 1997. Park entrance fees would change as follows: 

	Current Fee	Proposed Fee
Automobiles	$10	$20
Motorcycles	$5 per person	$15
Per Person	$5	$10
Annual Pass (Petrified Forest Only)	$20	$40

Entrance fees are not charged to anyone under 16 years of age, or holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Senior, Access, or Military Passes. These passes may be obtained at the park, and their cost is not proposed to change as part of this announcement. "We are fully committed to keeping parks affordable but there is a balance to be struck with the revenues generated by entrance fees", said Petrified Forest Superintendent Brad Traver. "With the additional revenues, we plan to renovate both of our major visitor centers, upgrade the park information movie, and are considering a small campground. "Petrified Forest opened over 14,000 acres of newly acquired lands in 2014 and has created several "off the beaten path" hikes to give visitors new opportunities. More new lands and new opportunities are expected in the coming years.

In recent years, entrance fee revenues have been used to renovate the historic stone building at Puerco Pueblo for new archeology exhibits and are currently being used to renovate a similar structure at Agate Bridge. Entrance fee revenues were also used to create the new Orientation Loop path and a new shade shelter at Painted Desert Visitor Center.

Petrified Forest is a strong economic engine in Apache and Navajo Counties. In 2013, over 644,000 visitors came to the park and spent an estimated $39.1 million, supporting an estimated 480 jobs.* Through October of 2014, visitation to Petrified Forest is on pace to exceed 800,000 visitors for the first time since 1997.

If you would like to comment on the proposed fee increase, please send an email to [e-mail] or call 928-524-6228 extension 225. Following the collection of comments, the implementation schedule for the proposed fee increase will be determined.

* Cullinane Thomas, C., C. Huber, and L. Koontz. 2014. 2013 National Park visitor spending effects: Economic contributions to local communities, states, and the nation. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR—2014/824. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.