Glacier Park fees slated for May increase

Glacier National Park's entrance fees will be bumped up starting in May, with

proceeds going toward operation of an enhanced public-transportation system on

Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Glacier National Park's entrance fees will be bumped up starting in May, with proceeds going toward operation of an enhanced public-transportation system on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Glacier National Park Superintendent Mick Holm announced the fee increases Monday after getting approval from the National Park Service.

Holm said park managers hope to minimize or freeze fee increases during an expansive and long-planned rehabilitation of Going-to-the-Sun Road that's slated to begin in 2007.

The enhanced transportation system, which will feature hub centers with expanded parking at Apgar and St. Mary, is part of an effort to offset visitor impacts while the six-to-eight year construction project is under way.

"Glacier National Park has received approval to begin collecting an additional $5 per visit that the park plans to apply to the transportation system," Holm said. "The fee increase will remain in the park and will provide funds to operate and maintain Glacier's new Sun Road transportation system which will be critical for enabling the Sun Road's rehabilitation."

The park already retains about 80 percent of all entrance fees collected, with most of the money spent on visitor services.

The historic Sun Road will remain open throughout the eight- to10-year rehabilitation project, but visitors are expected to experience delays of as long as 30 minutes during peak daytime hours, Holm said.

Starting Jan. 1, the fee for Glacier's annual pass will increase from $25 to $30.

Fee increases to be implemented May 1 include:

-Seven-day, single vehicle, $20 to $25;

-Seven-day, single visitor, $10 to $12;

Starting Dec. 1, 2006, winter fee increases include:

-Seven-day, single vehicle, $10 to $15;

-Seven-day, single visitor, $5 to $10.

The cost of the nationwide National Park Pass remains $50 annually, and the Golden Eagle Pass is $65. The National Park Pass is recognized in all U.S. National Parks, and the Golden Eagle Pass allows entrance to all federal fee areas. Both cards are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, and both return 70 percent of the fees to Glacier National Park when purchased locally at the park.

Other passes remain available. For U.S. residents with disabilities, a Golden Access Pass may be obtained free of charge; and for people ages 62 and older, a Golden Age Pass is available for a one-time fee of $10. Both cards are valid for the lifetime of the holder.

Glacier last increased entrance fees in January 2004 when the annual fee went up $5. The 2006 increases bring Glacier into line with other parks in the Intermountain Region. Fees are expected to increase at about 40 parks across the country in 2006.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.