Most fees are new, and some parks have more than one fee for different activities. Despite some complaints, the fees haven't slowed traffic at parks. The number of July visitors at Sleeping Bear Dunes was up 14 percent over last year. Hiawatha National Forest spokeswoman Lee Ann Loupe said most complaints come from local people who are accustomed to using parks for free. From an economic standpoint, it is not a substantial cost.
Most people recognize that and are happy to pay a fee.
A recent survey at 11 national parks showed that 83 percent of visitors were satisfied with the new fees, and 93 percent said the charges wouldn't affect plans to revisit, Schneider said. Elsewhere, the fees have helped reduce the need for law enforcement. It is opening some parts of forest that families avoided. Lawmakers will study the program to decide whether it should continue beyond 2001.