Joshua Tree National Park to increase park fees

The cost of a visit to Joshua Tree National Park will increase starting early next year, it was announced today.

Effective Jan. 3, the cost of passes for guests and their vehicles will go up, as part of a series of fee raises that began in June 2015. Park officials say the hikes were need to pay for improvements to park facilities and to cover maintenance costs and increased campground staffing.

The fee increases include:

— seven-day single vehicle passes will go from $20 to $25;

— seven-day motorcycle passes will increase from $10 to $12;

— seven-day person passes will increase from $10 to $12; and

— annual passes will increase from $30 to $40.

Camping fees will not be increased.

The park will also continue to hold several fee-free days throughout the year, including for Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day and Veterans Day weekend.

Park-related free days include April 15-16 and April 22-23, the weekends of National Park Week; Aug. 25, the National Park Service’s birthday; and Sept. 30, National Public Lands Day.