Overnight backcountry travel in Grand Teton National Park will be a little bit more expensive next year

Planning to go backpacking in Grand Teton National Park next year? It will cost you a little bit more than this year's rate.

Grand Teton's Special Use Permit fee schedule has been adjusted for 2018. The adjustments include modest increases to permit fees for backcountry use, non-motorized boating, weddings, and special events. Permit fees for commercial filming, motorized boating, and other uses will remain unchanged.

Each year, park staff conduct a review of the special use permit program. The review compares the amount of fees collected over the past year for each special use with the operational costs associated with that use. The primary operational cost of each special use is staff time to issue the permits and conduct other activities such as maintenance, patrol, monitoring, or cleaning which may be associated with a particular special use. Other costs associated with special uses include printing, reservation software, and equipment. 

The primary driver of the increase in backcountry permit fees* is a change in the cost to utilize the online reservation system at www.recreation.gov. The other fee increases are driven by other increased operational costs.

Park visitors are reminded that a no-fee permit is required for some other special park uses such as collegiate educational courses; protests, demonstrations, and other activities protected by the First Amendment; and the scattering of ashes.

* There is an additional $10 fee for advanced backcountry permit reservations made January 3 through May 15. This advanced reservation fee will remain unchanged.