Little River Canyon Visitor Use Fee Increase

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LITTLE RIVER CANYON NATIONAL PRESERVE IS REQUESTING PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED INCREASES TO ENTRANCE FEES

Current Fee:
Private Vehicle $3
Annual Pass $10

Proposed for 2018:
Private Vehicle $10
Motorcycle $5
Annual Pass $25

Proposed for 2019:
Private Vehicle $15
Motorcycle $10
Annual Pass $30

Entrance passes are valid for seven days and provide access to all areas within the National Preserve. There are also numerous fee-free days scheduled throughout the year when entrance fees are waived for all visitors. While the Senior Pass (age 62 or older), Active Duty Military Pass (free annually), Access Pass (permanently disabled), and America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass are not currently available at the Preserve; the Preserve anticipates these passes will be available in the future through increased visitor services.

"We are committed to keeping the park affordable," says Superintendent Steve Black, "but also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience." Black points out that all of the money from entrance fees is retained by Little River Canyon National Preserve and used to help repair, improve, or replace visitor facilities. Recent projects have included restriping the parking lot at Canyon Mouth Day Use Area. Planned projects include construction of new restrooms at Canyon Mouth Day Use Area (two locations), a new fee station, two large picnic pavilions, a playground area, play fields, new improved grills, trail maintenance/enhancement. Future proposed enhancements include re-construction of the swinging bridge (Johnnies Creek/Little River), a special program area/campfire ring. The proposed fee changes, if approved, would take effect January 1, 2018. The Preserve is considering the creation of a fee area at Little River Falls. These increases will bring Little River Canyon into compliance with current regulations and in line with other NPS sites of similar nature. All of the money collected will continue to be used for upkeep and improvements which directly impact visitors to the park.

Little River Canyon National Preserve is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2016, 462.7 Thousand park visitors spent an estimated $27.1 Million in local gateway regions while visiting Little River Canyon National Preserve. These expenditures supported a total of 446 jobs, $12 Million in labor income, $19.9 Million in value added, and $35.5 Million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Little River Canyon National Preserve.

To provide feedback about the proposed fee schedule, you may send written comments to:

Little River Canyon National Preserve, Fee Program
4322 Little River Trail, NE, Ste. 100
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Attn: Proposed Fee Rates

Comments are due by November 18, 2017.


Contact Information

Steve Black, superintendent
256-845-9605