National Park Visitors Get Good News And Some Bad News
DENVER (CBS4) - There is good news and not so good news on fees for state and national park visitors in Colorado.
The good news is all national parks in Colorado and around the country are free next week because it's National Park Week. All parks are free from Saturday, April 16 through Sunday, April 24.
The parks and national monuments, any National Park Service location that charges an entrance fee, are free on 16 days this year as part of the Park Service's celebration of 100 years of national parks. There's an entire list posted on nps.gov.
The bad news is campground fees will go up this year at Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area, an average of $4 a spot.
The price will also increase for a popular boat tour through the canyon. The 1 ½ hour Morrow Point Boat Tour price jumps from $16 to $24 for adults, and $8 to $12 for children.
A park ranger takes summer visitors on a pontoon boat on a leisurely tour of the canyon to see wildlife and see and learn about rock formations like the Curecanti Needle.
Entrance fees for the Black Canyon will not change. It remains $15 for a 1-7 day pass and $30 for an annual pass. Those who walk or bicycle into the park without a vehicle will be charged $7 for a weekly pass.
For more information on Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, visit a special section of nps.gov.