Comment Period Extended - Weigh in on Grand Canyon Fees and Management Today!

Update! In response to efforts from American Whitewater and our partners, Grand Canyon National Park has extended the public comment period until February 15th. We appreciate the extension and we encourage you to submit your comments to the Park on this issue before the deadline. 

American Whitewater is formally commenting on the drastic proposed fee increases for the Grand Canyon and you should too. At the start of the year, the National Park Service proposed a 244% increase for non-commercial permit fees for the Grand Canyon effective March 1, 2025. Non-commercial permit fees would increase from $90 to $310 per person, not including the $20 entrance fee to the park. In addition, a new $55 fee is proposed for trips from Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry. Comment on the proposed fee increase now! 

Since the 1990s, American Whitewater has advocated for reduced permit fees for youth and families, and increased transparency from the Park on how user fees are spent. Today, we are asking for the same things except the stakes are 244% higher. Currently, Grand Canyon National Park relies on funding from Congress, commercial rafting concessionaire fees, and existing non-commercial permit fees. Through this new fee structure, the Park is proposing to completely supplement congressional appropriations with non-commercial permit fees. 

There has been a lot of discourse amongst river users in response to the proposed fee increase. Some river users are happy to pay the increased fees and others are worried they aren’t going to be able to afford to take their family down the river this year. Regardless of which camp you are in, the Park Service should ensure that any fee increases are both justified and transparent. Please use the quick and easy form to share your comments with the Park Service and remember it makes a BIG difference if you personalize your comments.