Saguaro National Park increasing seven-day vehicle entry fee

TUCSON, Ariz. – Saguaro National Park next month will increase its entry fee by 50 per cent, with officials at the Tucson-area park saying the additional money will pay for deferred maintenance work.

Park officials say the seven-day private vehicle entrance fee will increase to $15 from $10 beginning Jan. 3.

According to park officials, the fee was last increased in 2005 and deferred maintenance costs since then have increased to $16 million.

Motorcycle permits will remain at $10, and the costs of annual passes, commercial permits, wilderness camping permits, walk-in, and bicycle permit fees are not changing.

Projects planned for 2017 include repairing trails and improving the auditorium of the Red Hills Visitors Center in the park’s western district.

The park straddles Tucson, with districts on the city’s west and east sides.