From Deseret News archives:
Fee-for-all: We're paying more to play in Utah's forests, parklands
The Utah State Parks and Recreation fee booth attendant told him he'd need four more dollars. Portillo blanched, but his children wanted to fish, so he paid the fee.
"I think it's too much money," said the West Jordan man, who works two jobs to support his family.
Popular Jordanelle above picturesque Heber Valley is one of the jewels in the Utah State Parks system, a shimmering aquatic paradise for boaters, fishermen and swimmers.
And at $9 per vehicle just to drive through the gate, one of the most expensive.
As Labor Day weekend winds down the summer travel season, fees to visit Utah's abundant recreational, natural, cultural and historical attractions are going up. With the increases come practical questions about how much is too much and philosophical questions about access to public lands.
"That's always a challenge," said Dave Palazzolo, Uinta National Forest spokesman.
The upward trend in fees is widespread:
Arches and Canyonlands national parks in southeastern Utah intend to double their entrance fees to $20 starting next January.
Visitors to Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks began paying $25 per vehicle this past January, a $5 increase.
The Utah State Division of Parks and Recreation intends to raise day-use fees $1 to $3 at 17 of its sites beginning in January.
National forest officials are proposing to double the $3 fee to enter American Fork Canyon and to traverse the Mirror Lake Highway, two of Utah's most popular recreation areas. Day-use fees at Flaming Gorge could go from $2 to $5.
With costs around the state shooting up, the question arises: Are state and federal parks pricing people out of recreational opportunities?
"That's a good question," said Larry Velarde, recreation officer at the Pleasant Grove Ranger District. "I think in some cases we probably are."
Velarde said he understands both sides of the issue. As a Forest Service worker he sees the need to maintain and improve facilities in the face of scaled-back budget. As a taxpayer, he, too, wonders where the money goes.
Paul Henderson, National Parks Service spokesman in southeastern Utah, said the question comes up a lot. But Parks Service officials don't believe it keeps visitors away.
"If you can afford the gas to get to Canyonlands, you can afford the entrance fee," he said.
Recent comments
After reading about fee increase in National and State parks, I tend...
ted weintraub | Oct. 29, 2007 at 11:32 a.m.
I do not object to paying for camping overnight. I do object to...
Alex | Sept. 18, 2007 at 11:17 a.m.
If you don't want to pay high entrance fees you should write your...
Park Lover | Sept. 4, 2007 at 6:03 p.m.
- Driver who died in accident identified 5:47 p.m.
- Woman describes stabbing, killing 5:43 p.m.
- Ogden postmaster retires 5:41 p.m.
- Football fans get discount on pets 5:40 p.m.
- Utah celebrates Real Salt Lake Day 5:33 p.m.
- Roadster highlights Festival of Trees 5:15 p.m.
- Clearfield balks at UTA plan 5:13 p.m.
- Winners of the Pie-Ku contest 5:05 p.m.
- Obama calls pastry chef 'Crustmaster' 5:05 p.m.
- American as White House apple pie 5:05 p.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- Boys basketball rankings
- Alternative to climate change?
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
221 - BYU would like friendlier rivalry
206 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
179 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
175 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
134 - BYU records with win
132 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
104 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103
You said, "[S]tones sound pretty far fetched to me, literally." As far...
Apparently they don't teach basic economic priciples at the Y. You can add...
You're a MWC homer, thats why
This is a wonderful event that Deron Williams foundation and the Utah Jazz...
Hey Bingham Football players.....Since the B-Ball team basically represented...
Since when does one have the right to claim another services, labor, or...
["The Government is NOT here to insure that YOU have equal rights"] 1/3 of...
Keep on living in the past Aggies. The present doesn't look all that great....
Dream on! The MWC will never get respect especially by inserting a WAC team....
i watched it on youtube and it was so offensive I had to watch it twice to...



