Fee-for-all: We're paying more to play in Utah's forests, parklands

Jose Portillo had a $5 bill in hand as he pulled into Jordanelle Reservoir for a recent afternoon of fishing with his two children.

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.

• Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments in the same area will go from $6 per vehicle to $10 and $15, respectively.

• 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.