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Zion National Park News Release
March 22, 2006
David Eaker 435 772-7811 Shelagh Forester 435 772-0816 06-05

Zion National Park Announces Proposed Fee Increases for 2007

Information Workshops Scheduled to Address Proposals

Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth has announced that the park is proposing increasing its entrance fees effective January 1, 2007. The entrance fee for a private, non-commercial vehicle would increase from the current rate of $20 to the proposed rate of $25. The individual fee (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc. 16 years or older) would increase from $10 to $12. Both of these entrance fees are good for seven days. The fee for the Zion Annual Pass would also increase from $40 to $50. “The monies that the park collects from these increased entrance fees will go directly toward benefiting the visitors through improved services and facilities", stated Whitworth.

This is the first time that the park has proposed increasing its fees since 2000 and will bring Zion into line with other parks in the country, many of which are increasing their fees in 2006.

Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004, a multi-agency fee authority was created for the National Park Service (NPS) and four other federal land management agencies. The legislation allows the NPS to collect entrance fees and “expanded amenity fees” for services, facilities, or equipment and use the funds for projects directly benefiting the visitors. Up to 80% of the fees collected, stay in the park and go directly into improving visitor facilities and services. Without fee revenues, many projects could not be completed because they cannot be funded from the park's existing base budget. Fee revenues collected in the past at Zion have financed projects to rehabilitate Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, construction of the shuttle bus maintenance and operations building, purchasing park brochures, and backcountry trail rehabilitation. The fees are currently funding projects to rehabilitate the Nature Center, to replace outdated park wayside exhibits, and to construct a new comfort station at the Temple of Sinawava . These are just a few of many projects that the park has completed or has planned that would not be possible without the fees collected at the entrance stations.

Information workshops have been scheduled to receive input on the park's proposed plan to increase entrance fees. These workshops will provide the public with information regarding the proposed fee increases and give them an opportunity to express in writing any thoughts or concerns they may have.

Place, Time and Locations;

Springdale, Utah

Monday, April 10, 2006

6-8 pm

Springdale Town Hall 134 Lion Blvd.



Kanab, Utah

Thursday, April 13, 2006

6-8 pm

Grand Staircase Visitor Center

745 East Highway 89



To provide comments regarding the proposed fee change, the public may write the park at:

Superintendent, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767 .

For detailed park information, access the park's website at www.nps.gov/zion .