Slightly higher entrance fees likely are in the future for Lassen Volcanic National Park visitors/Lee Dalton

One of the true overlooked gems of the National Park System is Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. Crowds are few, the landscape is amazing, and the camping wonderful. And experiencing that landscape just might get a tad bit more expensive under a proposal now open for public comment.

Through the end of July, you can weigh in on a proposal that would boost the entrance fee for a private vehicle from $20 to $25, for those on foot, bike, or horse from $10 to $12, and for those on motorcycles from $15 to $20.

In proposing the higher fees, park officials note that the current entrance fees were partially raised in 2015 from the rates that were in place since 1998.

"We are committed to keeping the park affordable, but we also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience," said Lassen Volcanic Superintendent Jim Richardson. "The money from camping/entrance fees is used to improve visitor facilities, infrastructure, and visitor services."

Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Senior, Access or Military Passes. These passes may be obtained at the parks. Other proposed visitor use fees for recreation use and camping have been developed through comparability studies with surrounding area services and are a part of the new fee schedules.

Recreation fee dollars at Lassen Volcanic have made possible the reopening of Butte Lake Campground, installation of park-wide wayside exhibits, development of the Lassen Crossroads Information pavilions, installation of campground bear-proof food lockers, restoration of the Lassen Peak Trail, repair of Pacific Crest Trail, horse corral improvements, rehabilitation of the Devastated Area Accessible Interpretive Trail, installation of ADA-compliant audiovisual system at Loomis Museum, provide children's interpretive exhibits in the visitor center, develop Crags Campground youth camp, rehabilitation of three campground amphitheaters, and museum/visitor center exhibits. Additional revenue raised by a fee increase would be used to improve and maintain Kings Creek Falls and Bumpass Hell trails, rehabilitate Warner Valley Campground, and improve campground roadways and restrooms.

To comment

• Deadline: July 31, 2017
• Online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=73867
• In person: 5:30-7 p.m. July 18, Redding Public Library, Redding, California