The National Parks, heralded by one former director as containing “the highest potentialities of national pride, national contentment, and national health,” may soon be off-limits to many working American families due to price hikes that were proposed on Wednesday by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
Citing the need to address maintenance and infrastructure concerns, the National Park Service said it wants to raise rates for vehicle passes from $25-30 to $70 during the busiest months of the year at some of the country’s most popular parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.
The price increases, which are subject to a public comment period open until November 23, follows the Trump administration’s push to redraw the boundaries of several national monuments in the interest of those who Zinke said “rely on these lands for hunting and fishing, economic development, traditional uses, and recreation.”
The changes are likely to impact many vacationing families as they would be imposed between May and September. Seventeen of the nation’s parks would be affected by the rate hikes.
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