Fee increases at Shenandoah may go toward improving habitat at Big Meadows/NPS

The second step of a fee increase proposed two years ago by Shenandoah National Park will go into effect January 1, when seven-day passes for vehicles and motorcycles will rise by $5.

The new entrance fees will be $25 (was $20) for vehicles, $20 (was $15) for motorcycles, and $50 (was $40) for an annual pass. The fee for a person without a vehicle remains $10.

“The fee program is critical to the park,” Superintendent Jim Northup said in a release. “Eighty percent of fees collected stay right here in the park and are put to work improving facilities and services important to visitors. Without this funding, park staff would have to forego these projects. The additional revenue from this increase will allow us to sustain this world-class park.”

The new rates are what the park had proposed back in 2014, following a survey by the National Park Service to make entrance fees more consistent throughout the system. However, in response to public comments that supported increases but thought they were too steep, Shenandoah chose to phase in the changes. The first bump was implemented May 1, 2015.

Additional revenue raised by the fee increase may be used to rehabilitate or rebuild Front Royal Entrance Station for increased staff safety and improved access; restore wetlands in Big Meadows campground by removing a loop and establishing replacement sites in a less-sensitive area; and restore backcountry stone structures, retaining walls, bridge structures, and huts.

Previously, entrance fees have supported a range of projects such as rehabilitating trails and trailhead signs, developing and installing exhibits in visitor centers, improving park water systems, rehabilitating wastewater treatment plants, providing ranger programs, improving ADA accessibility at Rapidan Camp and park comfort stations, and maintaining open vistas at park overlooks.