Backlash Brings Lower Rate Increases to California’s National Parks
When we reported back in November 2017 that the National Park Service wanted to more than double entry fees to California’s favorite national parks — Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Joshua Tree and Sequoia-Kings Canyon — some SeeCalifornia.com subscribers responded in disbelief. It was pretty hard to believe that it would soon cost $70 to enter any of these parks. It actually was a shock!
On a National Park feedback form we responded along with 109,000 people our concerns that these increases were too high. Due to the overwhelming, negative response to the proposed, largest increase since WWII, National Park Service said this month that they’ve reconsidered and will only increase our favorite parks by $5 or so. Additional increases may be seen in 2020 however.
California has more national parks than any other state with 27 beautiful places to explore, and many in the Golden State are free to see. Our favorites such as Yosemite are so popular that limits are set as to how many vehicles can enter in peak season.
Now is the perfect time to visit. During National Park Week you can get in free to all the favorites on one special day, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Your next opportunity for free admission won’t come for another five months till September 22 on Public Lands Day.
- Yosemite National Park entrance fee beginning June 2018 will be $35 per vehicle or $20 per motorcycle. An annual park pass will cost $70.
- Joshua Tree National Park fees beginning June 1, 2018 will be $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. An annual park pass will cost $55.
