Joshua Tree National Park is proposing a campground fee increase in response to increased demand for camping services. In their recent newsletter, the park reported a 23 percent increase in camp night stays over the past five years, leading to campgrounds being at or near capacity six out of 12 months each year. The increase in campground use has led to increased need for visitor support, more frequent bathroom cleaning and septic pumping, increased trash and recycling removal, and a need for more park rangers to ensure the safety of both visitors and the park.
To offset these increased costs, the park is proposing a campground fee increase of $5 per night for all park campgrounds. The funds would be used to hire additional park staff. The deadline for public input is Sunday, July 11. If approved, the fee increase would go into effect in October, 2021. For more information on the proposal, or how to give public input, visit the link below.
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=101977
