MOOSE, Wyo. — Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) has announced changes to its backcountry camping permit fees, which will become effective on Jan. 10, 2024.
Backcountry camping parties will now be charged a baseline fee of $20, plus a fee of $7 per person, per night.
The park proposed the price change and invited public feedback on the matter in August. Last season, advanced reservations for backcountry camping permits carried a price of $45, and walk-up permits were $35, regardless of number of campers or duration of stay. According to GTNP, campers had complained about large and small groups being charged the same amount.
The park began charging for backcountry permits in 2014. Fees were last changed in 2018.
According to GTNP, around 30% of backcountry camping permits will be available through Recreation.gov for advanced reservations beginning on Jan. 10 at 8 a.m. for the 2024 camping season, which begins May 1 and ends Oct. 31. Then, beginning May 1, the rest of the permits will be available as walk-up permits at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, Colter Bay Visitor Center and Jenny Lake Ranger Station permit offices. Walk-up permits can be purchased one day in advance.
Advanced reservation permits must be retrieved in person by 10 a.m. on the day of the trip, the park says, or the permit will be canceled and made available to others.
“The revenue from backcountry permit fees allows the park to offset a portion of the costs associated with visitor use management while continuing to provide high-quality, high-demand backcountry visitor experiences,” GTNP’s press release says. “Backcountry camping permit fees allow staff to provide safety and route information, patrol campsites and provide visitor services, aid in search and rescue efforts, maintain and improve trails, campsites, facilities and other amenities that directly enhance the visitor experience. Another benefit of the backcountry permit system is the park has the ability to designate specific camping areas, limiting impacts on the backcountry environment.”
Those who make advanced reservations through Recreation.gov will be able to alter their reservations by modifying the size of their party or the duration of their stay. Advanced reservations that are canceled or changed on the website will lead to new openings becoming available online throughout camping season.
The backcountry camping permit fee is non-refundable, according to the park. The nightly per person fee is refundable when the permit is canceled or the party size is changed at least five days ahead of the camping date.
For more information, see go.nps.gov/tetonbackcountry.
