Higher Park Fees Pass First Test With Visitors

A sampling of responses at Yellowstone National Park indicates visitors don’t mind paying the higher fees that were imposed last week.

Fees charged snowmobile operators entering Yellowstone or Grand Teton national parks increased nearly threefold - from $4 last year to $15 this season. In addition, park officials are charging drivers of vehicles entering the park $20 for a seven day pass. That pass was $10 last year.

Under the test program, which will run for three years, the parks can keep 80 percent of the additional fees generated compared with the revenues generated from fiscal year 1995 numbers. That could mean about $6 million or $7 million for Yellowstone over three years, while Grand Teton could see a $4 million or $5 million increase over that time.

“Whatever it takes to pay to keep the parks going - I couldn’t see paying if it was going into someone else’s pocket, said Darren Neukomm, of Salem, Ore. “It seems pretty cheap compared with other tourist attractions.”

Neukomm’s response was similar to others who were among the first to pay the higher entrance fees, which went into effect Dec. 20.

“Nobody seems to be flinching,” said Terry Roper, fee collection supervisor in Teton Park.

David NeVille, marketing director for Flagg Ranch Resort, said the resort supported the increase because roads and buildings need to be upgraded.

“In the end it helps the people who want to see the park,” NeVille said. “No one likes to give up more than what they were giving up last time. But once they understand, they’re agreeable.”

Cheryle Williams, who brought her family to Yellowstone from Georgia as a Christmas present, said the extra dollars she spent on the fees didn’t make a difference - especially with all of what they saw and did.

“You’re not going to live but once,” Williams said. “You’re just as well to enjoy it.”