09/13/2011

Park Officials Announce Denali Fee Increase

Date: 9/14/2011

Last fall word spread of a fee increase proposal at Denali that could go as high as $500. After a year of working with the American Alpine Club and American Mountain Guides Association to investigate the scope and associated budget of the mountaineering program, we are happy to report that the fee increase is lower than originally expected. Denali National Park announced last week a fee increase from $200 to $350 for climbing on Denali and Mt. Foraker, which will go into effect on January 1, 2012. The park also set a discounted $250 youth pass.

The Access Fund, American Alpine Club, and American Mountain Guides Association presented a united front in working with Denali National Park, National Park Service officials in Washington, DC, and members of Congress. Collectively, we worked together to investigate the mountaineering program and ensure that the public had an opportunity to provide input and suggestions on the Park's proposal and help them identify ways to make the mountaineering program more cost-effective.

The positive outcome from this effort is that we worked together to become better informed and find common ground related to the scope and associated budget of Denali’s $1 million annual Mountaineering Program. “It’s been a long road. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we’re happy with how things worked out in the end," said the Access Fund’s Senior Policy Advisor Jason Keith. “We are especially appreciative of the discounted $250 youth fee. The park worked hard to get there." The fees may be adjusted periodically based on actual costs, but the Park has agreed not to exceed changes in the cumulative consumer price index based on inflation.

For more information, see Denali’s mountaineering page, or email [email protected].