cruiserjs wrote: I'm not sure how to define "too expensive" considering all the cost increases we all face in our daily lives. I'm also not sure how much of the entry fee actually goes to that indivifual park for their operations or does it go into th national general fund. Maybe the report will expose that?
We've always been curious about that --- where the money goes to. We're in the group (which I'm guessing applies to a large percentage) who definitely moan (to ourselves) about the high park fees, but for the 'entertainment value' we get out of camping/hiking in the parks, we'll pay the fees and not complain 'out loud'. But, we always wondered if the money is being spent well. I know, some years ago, how I became aware of some really appalling living conditions rangers have to endure in parks --- dilapidated housing. And being hikers, we also are very grateful for improvements in trails. Keeping them clear of windfall, fixing eroded areas, etc. We'll support those kinds of efforts with higher fees.
Re. costs for things Canadian always remember:
300,000,000 pop : cg $fee in national & state parks :: 30,000,000 pop: cg $fee in national & provincial parks .
When you have higher volume, the cost per user can be much lower, the services provided more varied, the number hiking trails larger.........
Just so everyone knows what we are talking about. Canada National Parks charges a DAILY entry fee of $9.80 PER PERSON.
Yesterday, my wife and I wanted to go to the town of Jasper to have lunch. The City of Jasper is already an overpirced tourist town. So we were shocked that Parks Canada tried to charge us $19.80 just to visit the town and have lunch and shop and spend money in Canada. We just turned around.
We have been to Jasper National Park previously and enjoyed ourselves but it is really an outrageous fee policy. A 4-5 day camping trip will incur entrance fees of over $100 and this does not include camping or anything else which is not cheap either.
By comparison, Yellowstone National Park charges $25 for a carload and it is good for 7 days.
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
Mark Twain
How much should the staff (from management down to the clean up) get paid? what are the total daily, monthly, yearly, operational costs?, what is invested in expansion and improvements? what is the average yearly expenses on damage (both natural and vandilism). average all these out over all the parks, divide that by daily, seasonal, and overnight visiters and that should be how the fee schedual is set up. but we all know that tax dollars also support these places so I would say the fees are actually lower than the real cost.
Relaxin, hikin, canoin, enjoyin life
headin down the road with a 25 foot starcraft, canoe, camera & fishing rod,'86 gmc 1 ton crew cab 454 "Sheila" a few pics from 2004
We are US citizens currently planning on traveling on Highway 1 to Castle Junction and then on #93 up to through Lake Louise to Jasper to connect with #16 and then going west to Valemount.
Are we going to pay $9.80 per person to drive on these highways since they are in the park?
Any help would be appreciated.
* This post was
edited 05/09/08 09:17am by bains *
We are US citizens currently planning on traveling on Highway 1 to Castle Junction and then on #93 up to through Lake Louise to Jasper to connect with #16 and then going west to Valemount.
Are we going to pay $9.80 per person to drive on these highways since they are in the park?
Any help would be appreciated.
If you are 'passing through' you don't have to pay. You only have to pay if you are visiting the park. That means, if you pull over and have lunch or a picnic, you should pay.
Sometimes, the gates aren't even manned and it's up to individuals to go pay for your pass at the visitors centre (or wherever the park passes are sold). This happened to us in Jasper.
I think the passes are overpriced, but so is everything else in Canada when compared to the USA. The lower population in Canada is definitely a viable reason (in addition to the fact that we seem to be taxed more for everything up here).
Have fun,
Paula
Larry, Paula and Two Kids (ages 5 & 3)
2006 Dodge Ram Power Wagon
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 20BH
Thanks to all who responded, especially larryandpaula. We also located some web sites. It looks to me like even though we are traveling through, we will pay the Park ‘road tax’.
The various Park web sites indicate the rules and fee schedule. For Americans the notion that it costs $9.80 per person to drive on a provincial highway seems unusual, especially when the highway is the only mode of transportation for some communities in the area. Although America has toll roads, there is always an alternative for the local traveler who is unconcerned about speed or traffic issues.
The Canadian folks seem to be paying a high price – my condolences to them for this type of behavior by their government.
To the Bains folks, you are correct. You will have to pay the daily park fee (or else buy a season pass) in order to drive from Lake Louise to Jasper via hwy 93. I am with those who think the daily fees are too high but, alas, they are a fact. I believe the Parks people feel there is only one reason for driving up the icefield parkway and that you are certain to stop at washrooms/pullouts/ picnic sites so you should pay. There are other routes to Jasper but they are both longer and far less scenic, so there you go. It is possible to drive most other hwys through the National Parks without paying but you are not supposed to stop and use any of the facilities unless you have payed. I would love to know who pays for the highway maintenance costs on roads like the one through Kootenay park where thousands per day pass through with no fee but anyone who wishes to stop/camp pays the full fare. It seems to me it would be fairer if everyone paid a smaller amount to cover the hwy costs. This might lower the fees for those who use the facilities though they should still pay more than the through traffic does.
There are those in governments these days who think 99% in terms of business profits as opposed to certain services, and saving our heritage, sharing our heritage as good use of tax payers money. National Parks were set up to conserve green spaces in this country. But keeping those places and keeping them so all can get to know them is not something understood by the crowd I call "the bottom liners". As I understand their outlook, they think revenue should be generated to match the costs of running the program. That when for over 100 years this continent has had a policy of these parks are for all for posterity. It's a turn around that is opposite the views of those who have posted here on this thread.
Last year when the current federal government tried to cut support for the Canadian Summer Student jobs, there was a national protest from so many heritage organizations (local museums, etc.) which couldn't open in summer without these grants. I admit to not doing enough to show how much I value all heritage places, whether they are in buildings or completely natural. What I do to show I support those heritage existence is visit them.
Powder Pig wrote: There are other routes to Jasper but they are both longer and far less scenic, so there you go.
It is my understanding there is no legal way to visit Jasper without paying the park fee.
Yes, you can lie and tell them you are "passing through" and hope no one discovers you. However, for those of us who don't wish to lie, I don't believe there is any route to Jasper without paying the fees.
Yes, you can lie and tell them you are "passing through" and hope no one discovers you. However, for those of us who don't wish to lie, I don't believe there is any route to Jasper without paying the fees.
Hmmm, I seem to remember that there was no park office or self-registration booth on Hwy.11 from Rocky Mountain House to Saskatchewan River Landing. Turn right to Jasper or left to Banff. It was a few years ago though and I subscribe to two newspapers so I know what day of the week it is, the month and the year, so ......
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That when for over 100 years this continent has had a policy of these parks are for all for posterity. It's a turn around that is opposite the views of those who have posted here on this thread.
