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By From the Grants Pass Daily Courier October 15. 2014 3:43PM Prices may increase at the Oregon Caves Like Crater Lake, Rainier and Olympic national parks, the Oregon Caves National Monument has proposed fee increases. The Oregon Caves could see tour fees rise from $8.50 to $10 for adults and $6 to $7 for children, according to monument officials. The park is soliciting public opinion through Oct. 28 on the proposed increases. The physically challenging "off-trail" rate is projected to rise from $30 to $45 per person. The Oregon Caves also proposes to lower the threshold for children's tour rates from age 16 to age 15 for all tours. It also proposes to drop group rates to align fees with national standards. Cave tour fees go back into the program and pay for the rangers giving the tours, education curricula for teachers, and development of virtual visits, which allow mobility impaired individuals to see and learn about the cave resources, and show the caves to a wider audience. Fee increases would also help pay for maintenance. Those interested in commenting may write to Lynne Stokes, ORCA, 19000 Caves Highway, Cave Junction, OR, 97523, or email [email protected]. Plans are in the works to raise fees at 131 units of the National Park Service's 401 units, including national monuments, preserves, historic areas, battlefields and lake shores. Oregon Caves Superintendent Vicki Snitzler said a program review showed that the Caves' rates were well below similar operations nationwide. A study done in 2012 showed Oregon Caves attracted 78,164 visitors a year, spending more than $5 million in communities such as Cave Junction, Selma and Grants Pass. At Crater Lake National Park, a cost of a car visit could increase from $15 to $25. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141015/NEWS/141019769 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->