Zion NP

[PaleoRob]

Just heard this on NPR today.
Zion National Park is raising its entrance fee to $25, and the Zion Year Pass to $50. Just to let everyone know, especially if they're planning a hike in Zion in the New Year.
The change goes into effect the 1st, IIRC.

[wandering_tattler]

FYI --

Along these same lines, the National Park Service is discontinuing the Golden Eagle NPS passes beginning January 1, 2007. Instead, you will be able to purchase an "America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass" for $80 (annual fee). This pass will get you into any federal recreation site that charges a fee, including Forest Service, BLM, Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, and NPS units.

You will be able to purchase one of these passes at any site that charges a fee, including Zion. And for anyone that lives in the Southwest, with all of the federal parks and rec areas with their assorted fees, this seems like a great buy. Not that I'm biased, or anything. :roll:

Paul
Soon to be living in Rimrock, AZ

[PaleoRob]

Yeah, I think that is totally great. We use our NPS Pass all the time here in Page, but there's so much other stuff around (BLM, FS) that charges a fee, that even with the additional $30, to get all those other areas finally "under the umbrella" so to speak, will be worth it.
Even though I would prefer the price to stay the same at $50...but hey, I'm a poor biologist...

[Davis2001r6]

Too bad thats not going to cover Sedona

[PaleoRob]

Too bad thats not going to cover Sedona

It won't? I thought it would, based on: This pass will get you into any federal recreation site that charges a fee, including Forest Service, BLM, Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, and NPS units.

[wandering_tattler]

Just to clear this up a bit, I've copied the relevant bits of the announcement directly from the NPS website, including the bit about discontinuing the Golden Eagle passes, below. However, you're welcome to read it directly from the horse's mouth, too:

http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest ... ea=npsnews

So, if the areas around Sedona are federal recreation areas that participate in the fee program, this pass will get you into them (there will still be extra fees for additional services, like camping, etc, where applicable.) If you have any questions, I'm sure you could contact anyone with the USFS or NPS at any of the sites that charge fees.

Beginning January 1, 2007, the National Park passport program will be replaced by a new program that will allow pass holders access to a variety of federal recreational sites, in addition to National Park sites. The America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program is your key to sites administered by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. See below for a list of the familiar NPS passes and descriptions of the America the Beautiful pass that will replace them.

Golden Eagle Passport and National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Hologram
These passes have been discontinued. They are replaced by the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Annual Pass.

Golden Age Passport
This pass has been discontinued. It is replaced by the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Senior Pass.

Golden Access Passport
This pass has been discontinued. It is replaced by the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Access Pass.

America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—Annual Pass
This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance Fee or a Standard Amenity Fee. The card is good for one year, beginning with the date of sale. The cost is $80.00. The pass admits holders and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at “per vehicle” fee areas. It also allows the pass holder, plus three adults (not to exceed four adults), at “per person” fee areas. Children under the age of 16 years are admitted free. The pass can be obtained in person by phone by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS, Extension 1, by Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass or by visiting participating park sites, including Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

[Lizard]

Too bad thats not going to cover Sedona

On the Red Rock Country Website:

Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passports including National Parks Passes with Upgraded Hologram sticker are accepted and honored in lieu of the Red Rock Pass for Forest recreation in Red Rock Country. This also includes admission to the very popular Red Rock Country Heritage Sites: Palatki Ruins and Rock Art site, Honanki Ruins site and V-Bar-V Ranch Petroglyph site.

This would imply the new America the Beautiful pass will be accepted in lieu of the above passes. But I would call the Sedona Ranger district to confirm this.

[Dschur]

Zion NP flash flood crashing on Canyoneerers...
http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archiv ... anyoneers/

[outdoor_lover]

Incredible....They were very lucky....

[cactuscat]

Going there next week ... hope we get it a little better!

[Jim]

Incredible....They were very lucky....

"lucky" is not the particular adjective I would have gone with.