A national parks entrance fee hike proposed by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has been rolled back after more than 100,000 people wrote to the Interior Department against the increase, The Hill reported.
Zinke had proposed to increase entrance fees from $25 to $70 for 17 of the most visited parks across the country, saying the money raised would go towards essential maintenance and renovations.
An Interior official said the dramatic entrance fee increase was being reconsidering amid fears that it would keep visitors away from the parks, The Washington Post reported.
“The infrastructure of our national parks is aging and in need of renovation and restoration,” he said in a statement. “Targeted fee increases at some of our most-visited parks will help ensure that they are protected and preserved…”
However, after being inundated by opposition on its website during a 30-day public comment period, the National Park Service has been forced to rethink the price hike.
Every person in favor of the increase was met with one in resistance, according to The Post, which saw copies of the comments provided by Interior.
“We’re working to respond to those … thoughtful and well-put comments,” an official told The Post.
“Our ultimate goal when it comes to entrance fees is to make sure the parks get 80 percent of that revenue … but we also don’t want to put a burden on our visitors. We believe there is room to increase the fees and the annual passes.”
The official, who was authorized to speak on behalf of Interior under anonymity, said that Zinke and the Park Service’s interim director were meeting to discuss the issue.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.