Saguaro Park entrance fees payable by smartphone

Beginning Monday, some trailheads far from park visitor centers will have signs with a QR code that can be read with a mobile device, said park spokeswoman Andy Fisher.

The QR, or Quick Response, code will link visitors with an e-fee website where they can pay fees with a credit card or the PayPal payment service. The visitors then will receive an emailed receipt that will serve as an entrance permit.

“It’s an effort to make paying entrance fees easier and more convenient for visitors who wish to enter the park at one of the remote trailheads — eliminating the need to travel all the way to a visitor center to pay,” Fisher said.

She noted that some visitors have failed to pay fees before starting hikes at remote trailheads. “There’s always been a fee, but a lot of people didn’t understand that,” she said.

Fisher said plans call for beginning the program at sites such as the Douglas Spring Trailhead at the eastern dead-end of Speedway.

“Eventually all the trailheads will have a QR code” at sites where phone service is available, she said.

Currently, visitors are able to pay fees online — at nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/fees.htm — before entering the park, “but we heard the need to provide this service enabling fees to be paid at the trailheads,” Fisher said.

FEE INCREASES

Saguaro National Park is increasing fees for an annual pass from $25 to $35 and raising backcountry camping fees from $6 to $8 per night. The fee increases go into effect on Monday. Regular admission fees will remain unchanged at $10 per vehicle for a seven-day pass.

“After carefully considering our local community, Saguaro National Park decided not to increase our regular entrance fees at this time,” said Darla Sidles, superintendent of the park. “We have been working hard to ensure Tucson’s backyard national park is welcoming and available to everyone, including our tremendously supportive local community of Tucson. Raising entrance fees seems counter-productive at this time.”