Grand Canyon National Park Changes Entrance Fee

The National Park Service (NPS) announced this spring that Grand Canyon National Park will modify its entrance fees beginning June 1 to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs that enhance the visitor experience. Effective June 1, the park entrance fee will be $35 per vehicle or $30 per motorcycle, for a seven-day pass. An annual park pass will cost $70.

The NPS last October proposed a plan to adopt seasonal pricing at Grand Canyon and 16 other national parks to raise additional revenue for infrastructure and maintenance needs. The fee structure announced today addresses many concerns and ideas provided by the public on how best to address fee revenue for parks.

Ensures Quality Experience

Revenue from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service and helps ensure a quality experience for all who visit. Here in Grand Canyon National Park, 80 percent of entrance fees stay in the park and are devoted to spending that supports the visitor. We share the other 20 percent of entry fee income with other national parks for their projects.

Over Six Million Visitors

"Grand Canyon National Park welcomed over 6 million visitors last year and we are committed to ensuring that all visitors have a memorable experience. Infrastructure improvements - similar to renovations at Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center several years ago - will contribute to one-of-a-kind visits," said Grand Canyon Superintendent Chris Lehnertz.

The additional revenue from entrance fees at Grand Canyon will be applied towards funding the replacement of the Transcanyon Waterline and associated water and wastewater utility systems. Other deferred maintenance projects include trails, road and historic building maintenance.

Record-Breaking Visitation

National parks have experienced record breaking visitation, with more than 1.5 billion visitors in the last five years. Throughout the country, the combination of aging infrastructure and increased visitation affects park roads, bridges, buildings, campgrounds, water systems, bathrooms, and other facilities. Maintenance deferred on these facilities amounts to $11.6 billion nationwide backlog.

Entrance Fees Since 1926

Entrance fees collected by the National Park Service totaled $199.9 million in Fiscal Year 2016. The NPS estimates that once fully implemented, the new fee structure will increase annual entrance fee revenue by about $60 million.

Grand Canyon National Park has had an entrance fee since 1926. The current rate of $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle has been in effect since 2015. The park is one of 117 in the National Park System that charges an entrance fee. The remaining 300 sites are free to enter.

Special Passes

The price of the annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass will remain $80.