Project Links
Proposed Fee Increases
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park » Proposed Fee Increases » Document List
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area and other National Park Service (NPS) units that collect entrance and recreation fees from park visitors are beginning public engagement to seek comments on possible changes in park/recreation fees. Black Canyon is proposing increases to its entrance fees and campground fees. Curecanti is proposing increases to its campground fees and the Morrow Point Boat Tour. Current fees have been in place since before 2006.
Under the authority of Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Black Canyon and Curecanti retain 80% of the recreation fees they collect. Fee revenues from entrance stations and campgrounds have provided funding for many projects and staffing since 2010. All of the projects focused on improvements to visitor services, facilities, and visitor safety. Recent examples include replacing outdoor lighting, replacing signs on park roads, replacing entrance signs, providing campground operations and paying for campground utilities, and replacing docks. The restoration of Engine 278 and its tender were also fee revenue projects.
The fee revenue is critical to these areas, said Bruce Noble, Superintendent. Funds from entrance, camping, and other fees are used to improve and maintain our facilities and provide valuable visitor services.
The current fee structure for Black Canyon Entrance Fees:
$15 for a 7 day pass
$15 for a 7 day Motorcycle pass
$7 for a 7 day individual pass (hiker, bicyclist, etc.)
$30 for an Annual Pass
Proposed increases for Black Canyon Entrance Fees:
$25 for a 7 day pass
$20 for a 7 day Motorcycle pass
$12 for a 7 day individual pass (hiker, bicyclist, etc.)
$50 for an Annual Pass
Increased campground revenue will be used to maintain and rehabilitate campgrounds and provide for interpretive services. Revenue has not kept pace with rising electric power costs and campsites with electric service have been operating at a deficit. Below is a comparison of current and proposed fees for campground.
South Rim Campground currently charges $12 for a site without electricity and $16 for a site with electricity. Those fees would rise to $16 and $22 respectively.
Elk Creek Campground at Curecanti currently charges $12 for a site without electricity and $16 for a site with electricity. Those fees would rise to $16 and $22 respectively. Lake Fork Campground, and Stevens Creek Campground would rise from $12 per site to $16 per site.
In addition, the Morrow Point Boat Tour ticket fee has not been keeping pace with operational costs. In order to continue this popular service, the National Park Service is proposing the following changes. Current ticket prices are $16 for adults and $8 for children under 13 years of age. Ticket prices would increase to $24 for adults and $12 for children under 13.
The public comment period is open for 30 days from December 29 through January 27. Please access the National Park Service planning website to comment: http://parkplanning/blca. Written comments can also be accepted by mail to Superintendent, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP and Curecanti National Recreation Area, 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230. You may also comment through our websites (www.nps.gov/blca and www.nps.gov/cure). Look for the Contact Us link on the left side of the home page under Park Tools. Or, stop by one of our visitor centers to fill out a visitor comment form. Check the websites for hours. Comments are being accepted through January 27, 2015.
Following the comment period, your feedback will be analyzed to determine how, or if, fee increases would be implemented.
Under the authority of Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Black Canyon and Curecanti retain 80% of the recreation fees they collect. Fee revenues from entrance stations and campgrounds have provided funding for many projects and staffing since 2010. All of the projects focused on improvements to visitor services, facilities, and visitor safety. Recent examples include replacing outdoor lighting, replacing signs on park roads, replacing entrance signs, providing campground operations and paying for campground utilities, and replacing docks. The restoration of Engine 278 and its tender were also fee revenue projects.
The fee revenue is critical to these areas, said Bruce Noble, Superintendent. Funds from entrance, camping, and other fees are used to improve and maintain our facilities and provide valuable visitor services.
The current fee structure for Black Canyon Entrance Fees:
$15 for a 7 day pass
$15 for a 7 day Motorcycle pass
$7 for a 7 day individual pass (hiker, bicyclist, etc.)
$30 for an Annual Pass
Proposed increases for Black Canyon Entrance Fees:
$25 for a 7 day pass
$20 for a 7 day Motorcycle pass
$12 for a 7 day individual pass (hiker, bicyclist, etc.)
$50 for an Annual Pass
Increased campground revenue will be used to maintain and rehabilitate campgrounds and provide for interpretive services. Revenue has not kept pace with rising electric power costs and campsites with electric service have been operating at a deficit. Below is a comparison of current and proposed fees for campground.
South Rim Campground currently charges $12 for a site without electricity and $16 for a site with electricity. Those fees would rise to $16 and $22 respectively.
Elk Creek Campground at Curecanti currently charges $12 for a site without electricity and $16 for a site with electricity. Those fees would rise to $16 and $22 respectively. Lake Fork Campground, and Stevens Creek Campground would rise from $12 per site to $16 per site.
In addition, the Morrow Point Boat Tour ticket fee has not been keeping pace with operational costs. In order to continue this popular service, the National Park Service is proposing the following changes. Current ticket prices are $16 for adults and $8 for children under 13 years of age. Ticket prices would increase to $24 for adults and $12 for children under 13.
The public comment period is open for 30 days from December 29 through January 27. Please access the National Park Service planning website to comment: http://parkplanning/blca. Written comments can also be accepted by mail to Superintendent, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP and Curecanti National Recreation Area, 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230. You may also comment through our websites (www.nps.gov/blca and www.nps.gov/cure). Look for the Contact Us link on the left side of the home page under Park Tools. Or, stop by one of our visitor centers to fill out a visitor comment form. Check the websites for hours. Comments are being accepted through January 27, 2015.
Following the comment period, your feedback will be analyzed to determine how, or if, fee increases would be implemented.