Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department is proposing adjustments to some user fees for its regional park facilities. A statement released by the department states the fee increases are to cover increased demand and rising operating costs.

The county’s McDowell Mountain Regional Park abuts the northern border of Fountain Hills and gets significant use from town residents.

Day-to-day operations — such as utilities, wildfire mitigation and restoration, habitat preservation, facility maintenance, staffing and trail upkeep — is covered primarily by park user fees. These fees make up the Operation Fund and are essential for maintaining safe, clean, and accessible parks, according to park officials.

A release by the Parks and Recreation Department states, “by adjusting fees to levels comparable to those of other large park systems, the department will be able to continue protecting natural resources, enhancing visitor experiences, and ensuring the park system remains resilient and responsive to community needs.”

“We are grateful for the board’s support for park projects and improvements,” said Jennifer Waller, Director of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation. “However, a recent assessment of costs and revenues concluded that the current fee structure does not fully cover essential services or facility maintenance, putting the quality and sustainability of our parks at risk.

“To address this, we are proposing a modest, phased fee increase—the first since 2018. While we know fee increases aren’t ideal, this gradual approach helps keep parks affordable while ensuring we can continue delivering the services and experiences our visitors expect.”

The complete fee schedule is available for review at Maricopa.gov/parks/fees. Some of the key proposals include increasing the vehicle entry fee from $7 to $10, with another increase to $12 as of 2028. The non-vehicle entry fee for hikers, bikers and equestrians would increase from $2 to $7. The annual pass fee would increase from $85 to $120.

“Staff understand that fee increases are never popular, and change can be tough, but they remain committed to keeping options affordable. While the price of an annual pass may be increasing, the Department will continue to offer discounts to seniors and disabled veterans to keep the passes affordable,” the release states. “Additionally, every entry will still include free outdoor education programs and select days in the fall will be designated as free days for entry.”

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has set a Public Meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, for those who wish to comment on the proposed fee schedule in person. The meeting will be held in the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, located at 301 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003. If approved, Phase One of the new fee schedule will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2026.

The proposed fee changes, along with supporting documentation, are available for review at maricopa.gov/parks/fees. Submit feedback to surveymonkey.com/r/2025FeeAdjustmentFeedback. The public comment period will remain open for 30 days. To learn more about Maricopa County’s regional park system, visit maricopa.gov/parks.