Saguaro Park entrance fees will increase in January

Entrance fees at Saguaro National Park will increase from $10 to $15 per private vehicle beginning Jan. 3, park officials announced.

After proposing the fee increase in August, the park solicited public comments regarding the appropriateness of the increase. Twenty-one people responded during a 30-day comment period and 80 percent of the respondents were in favor of the increase, according to the officials.

“This fee increase will help us to continue addressing our deferred maintenance needs, because 100 percent of the fees collected stay in Saguaro National Park.” said Leah McGinnis, acting superintendent of the park.

Entrance fees for private vehicles at the park haven’t increased since 2005. Since then, the park’s deferred maintenance costs have increased to $16 million, officials noted.

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Projects planned for 2017 include repairing the Cactus Forest, Douglas Springs and Heartbreak Ridge trails, as well as improving the auditorium of the Red Hills Visitor Center in the park’s west district.

The fee increase applies only to private vehicles.

Annual passes, commercial permits, wilderness camping permits, walk-in, and bicycle permit fees won’t change. Motorcycle permits will remain at $10.