Pinnacles National Park entrance fees to increase

The National Park Service announced on Saturday they are raising entrance fees for Pinnacles National Park, beginning January 1, 2019.

Entrances fees will be $30.00 per vehicle, $25.00 per motorcycle, $15.00 per person, and $55.00 for an annual pass. These costs are all higher than the current rate. The NPS says this is for additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs “to enhance the visitor experience.”

In a release, Saturday, Superintendent Karen Dorn stated “The additional fees will enhance all aspects of the visitor experience at Pinnacles. Visitors will directly see improvements at the East Side Entrance, in restroom and parking facilities, on trails, in the campground, and at the Nature Center. We are committed to providing a safe and rewarding experience for all visitors.”

NPS reports a record 1.5 billion visitors to national parks in the last five years, but says “an aging infrastructure and increased visitation has put a strain on park roads, bridges, campgrounds, waterlines, bathrooms, and other visitor services and led to a $11.6 billion deferred maintenance backlog nationwide.” They estimate the new fee structure will increase annual entrance fee revenue by roughly $60 million.

Pinnacles is one of 117 National Park Service sites that charges an entrance fee, the other 300 national parks will remain free to enter.

The price of the annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass will remain $80.