Increase In Drone Use Seen At Crater Lake National Park

Above, Crater Lake during the summer of 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Want to risk a maximum $5,000 fine and six months in jail? Then use a drone at Crater Lake National Park.

Drone usage is illegal in all national parks, but there's been an increase in drone use at Crater Lake.

KATU reported:

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The use of drones is outlawed at national parks.

But the falling price and improving technology of what are officially known as unmanned aircraft have led to increase in the number buzzing over Oregon's only national park — Crater Lake.

Park superintendent Craig Ackerman tells the Statesman Journal they've become a problem, with drones buzzing over boat tours and creating other negative impacts.

The bottom line is: DON'T DO IT!

To read more, go here. 

Entrance Fee Hike Proposed For Crater Lake National Park

Above, Crater Lake last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To address maintenance issues, repairs and adding additional park programs, Crater Lake National Park is proposing a hike in entrance fees.

According to KATU:

CRATER LAKE, Ore. — Crater Lake National Park officials are proposing increases for entrance fees.

Currently, the single-vehicle entrance fee for a 7-day pass is $15. It would change to $25. 

The park's annual pass would increase from $30 to $50. The motorcycle entrance rate of $10 per person and $10 per individual would change to $12 per individual and $20 per motorcycle. Current fees have been in place since 2015. 

More than 750,000 people visited the park in 2016, and contributed $65.3 million to the local economy.

To read more, go here.