Getting into Arizona’s state parks is about to get more expensive.
Daily entrance fees will more than double in some cases, and the price of an annual pass will almost triple under rate increases set to take effect on Feb. 25.
Arizona State Parks and Trails announced the increases earlier this month, citing the need for additional revenue to cover park operations and fund future improvements, staffing and amenities.
“To help us continue to provide the best customer service, and keep up with our aging infrastructure, it is necessary for us to raise our rates,” said Arizona State Parks and Trails Director Bob Broscheid in a written statement. “Of course, spending more is never anyone’s favorite thing, but I think the public will be happy to know that the fees go directly into supporting the parks they love.”
This marks the first time since 2012 that state parks have increased their fees across the board. The increase falls within potential fee ranges adopted by the Arizona State Parks Board in 2018.
Annual passes will increase in price from $75 to $200. Daily entrance fees at many parks — including Catalina, Kartchner Caverns, Oracle and Picacho Peak in the Tucson vicinity — will go from a flat $7 per vehicle to $10 for one person in a vehicle or $20 for a vehicle with two to four adults inside.
A couple stands a picnic table to get a better view of blooming wildflowers at Picacho Peak State Park.
Arizona’s 33 state parks do not receive taxpayer money for operations, so they rely on revenue from visitors to keep them going. Entrance, camping and tour fees pay for everything from staffing to maintenance.
Parks officials said the additional revenue is needed to cover the rising operational costs from increased visitation, expanded amenities, inflation and the opening of new attractions, including the addition last year of Rockin’ River Ranch State Park in Camp Verde, southwest of Sedona.
At Catalina State Park north of Tucson on Monday, a steady stream of people stopped at the entrance station to buy their annual passes before the price hike goes into effect.
One woman complained to the ranger at the front desk that the increase seemed excessive, while a couple in their car told the volunteer at the window that they would rather see their $200 go directly to the parks than into the state’s general fund.
Arizona State Parks and Trails employs about 260 people, including rangers, park managers, administrative personnel and staff members at the State Historic Preservation Office. The agency owns and maintains more than 1,100 buildings and other structures around the state, and its current list of deferred and proposed projects totals more than $135 million, officials said.
In addition to the entrance fee increase, Kartchner Caverns will see the price of its cave tours jump from $23 to $30 for people over the age of 13.
Admission to the Tombstone Courthouse will go from $7 to $10 per person age 14 or up.
The joint entrance fee for Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area will increase by $5 per vehicle to $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and holidays.
The price to camp in developed sites also will rise at Catalina, Kartchner Caverns, Patagonia Lake and Picacho Peak State Parks.
A hiker walks past saguaros along Canyon Loop Trail in Catalina State Park.
A full schedule of the new fees will be posted on the Arizona State Parks and Trails website after Feb. 25.
According to the agency’s latest annual report, more than 3.1 million people visited Arizona’s state parks during fiscal year 2024, an increase of 2.4% over the previous year.
Lake Havasu State Park was the state’s busiest, with more than 491,000 visitors, followed by Slide Rock State Park with almost 457,000.
Two Southern Arizona parks, Catalina and Patagonia Lake, ranked third and fourth with almost 281,861 and 235,404 visitors, respectively.
