Park will hike entrance fees to make shuttle service free

Glacier National Park will hike entrance fees in 2006, but Park officials hope to "minimize or freeze," future increases in 2007 when reconstruction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road gets a full head of steam.

The new fees will allow a shuttle system planned for the Park to run free of charge to users in 2007. A transportation center is planned for the T intersection near the West Entrance just south of Apgar.

The new fees, beginning in May, 2006 increase the seven-day single vehicle rate from $20 to $25, hike the single visitor (hiker, walker, biker, motorcyclist) seven-day rate from $10 to $12.

Winter seven-day rates will rise from $10 to $15 Dec. 1, 2006 and single visitor will rise from $5 to $10.

The annual park pass, beginning Jan. 1 will rise from $25 to $30.

The fee hikes will go toward a Park shuttle system designed to ease traffic congestion while the Sun Road undergoes reconstruction. The shuttle will not be a tour guide service like the red buses or Sun Tours.

"This shuttle will help ease vehicle congestion on the Sun Road during its major rehabilitation which is set to begin in 2007. While visitors will be encouraged to take this shuttle, private vehicles will still be able to travel the Sun Road at their own leisure," said Park Superintendent Mick Holm.

Park visitation numbers were down sharply in August compared to last year.

According to Park figures, total visits were down 16.68 percent in August this year, compared to last year, even though many businesses report having an excellent summer.

But Park visitation statistics aren't always accurate, either.

At least some of the error probably came last year, when it reported about 45,000 visitors to the Walton/Goat Lick area. This year it reported about 18,825. Last year's number was likely wrong - The Goat Lick is a parking lot with a toilet that overlooks the cliffs of the Middle Fork where mountain goats gather in the spring. In August, however, there are rarely goats there. By then, they've migrated higher into the mountains.

Harder numbers, like lodging in the Park, were actually up over 2004. For example, concessioner lodging in Glacier was slightly higher than last year for August, and for the year it was up about 4,500 guests.

Campground lodging in the Park was also up in August, from 56,088 last year to 59,359 this year.

Revenue is also up for the year as well in Glacier.