Interior eases planned fee hikes for some popular national parks

The Interior Department is increasing fees at the most popular national parks to $35 per vehicle, backing down from a plan to make visitors pay $70 per vehicle to visit the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and other iconic parks.

A plan announced Thursday would boost fees at 17 popular parks by $5, up from the current $30 but far below the figure Interior proposed last fall.

The plan by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke drew widespread opposition.