Mesa Verde National Park has increased peak-season fees for 2020.
The increase comes after a request for public comments about a fee proposal released in October 2017.
National parks mostly raised entrance fees across the board rather than increase peak-season fees at 17 highly visited national parks, according to a news release from Cristy Brown, management support specialist at the park.
“Revenue from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service and helps ensure a quality experience for all who visit,” Brown said. “At Mesa Verde National Park, at least 80% of entrance fees stay in the park and are devoted to spending that supports the visitor. We share the other 20% of entry fee income with other national parks for their projects.”
The new off-peak fees will be in effect from Jan. 1 through April 30 and will resume Nov. 1.
The new peak-season fees will be in effect from May 1 through Oct. 31.
Here is how fees will change from off-peak to peak seasons:
Fees for a private vehicle will rise from $20 to $30, a 50% increase.Fees per person (on a bicycle or on a bus) will rise from $10 to $15, a 50% increase.Fees for motorcycles will rise from $15 to $25, a 66% increase.Cost of an annual park pass will be unchanged, at $55.Fees are good for entrance to Mesa Verde for up to seven days. Entrance fees are not charged to visitors younger than 16; holders of the America the Beautiful pass; holders of senior, military or volunteer passes; or holders of the annual fourth grade pass.
Entrance fees have helped purchase and install water-bottle filling stations and drinking fountains, provide visitor educational programs at Wetherill Mesa and help stabilize Spruce Tree House and Cliff Palace cliff dwellings.
Upcoming projects include rehabilitation of the Morefield Amphitheater and additional stabilization work at archaeological sites throughout the park, Brown said.
For more information, visit www.nps.gov/meve.
