For some, however, it's not a question of price but principle. They resent having to open their wallets for access to public land, figuring they've already paid with their tax dollars.

"I think Americans are entirely justified in wondering why it is they have to pay twice," said Mark Clemens, manager of the Sierra Club's Utah chapter. "I can certainly sympathize with them."

The Sierra Club does not oppose national park entrance fees and even supports increases as long as the money stays in the park and isn't used to compensate for budget reductions, he said. It does not have a position on state park fees.

The club does, however, consider paying for access to public land outside national parks "insidious."

"We view that as kind of the heritage of all Americans whatever their income level," he said.

The National Park Service a couple years ago hired a consulting firm to help it standardize fees for the nation's 390 national parks. The result is a tiered system where entrance fees reflect size and popularity of the park.

Tom Haraden, Zion National Park assistant chief, said the first comment from a visitor on the day the fee went up was, "It's about time."

People who value national parks don't have a problem with the price, he said.

Still, that doesn't keep some from complaining. "We even get folks who say it's not constitutional," Haraden said.

Capitol Reef National Park considered earlier this year doubling the fee to drive its scenic highway to $10. Visitors can explore about 90 percent of the park for free. Superintendent Al Hendricks didn't want to make the drive through multicolored cliffs more exclusive and requested it remain $5. He is awaiting approval from Washington.

"My concern is if we raise it to $10, people would just choose not to go there. I don't want that to happen," he said.

Proposed hikes in fees to national parks are considered at the local, regional and national levels. Public comment periods usually draw little attention. Fewer than 50 people responded earlier this year in Arches and Canyonlands. Capitol Reef received only two — both opposing an increase.

The voice of the people can apparently put off a fee increase, at least temporarily. Golden Spike National Historic Site was poised to charge $10 per vehicle next year, a $3 increase. But operations chief Tammy Benson said a visitor survey found the current fee about right. Based on those results, she said, the Park Service will wait a year.

Recreational opportunities abound in Utah, whether it be wakeboarding on a reservoir, hiking to a natural bridge, visiting an Old West museum or touring ancient American Indian ruins. Federal or state government agencies manage most of the sites.