Room rates climb at some Yellowstone Park lodging

The cost of staying in some of Yellowstone National Park’s most historic lodges has increased by up to a third this summer.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports that a new, pilot pricing system allows the lodging concessionaire more leeway in setting room prices.

Yellowstone business chief Zach Allely says the idea is to balance access, efficiency and affordability.

But the pricing change has drawn criticism that some people might be priced out of a stay in the nation’s first national park.

Allely notes that rate increases are limited to about 30 percent higher and if the Park Service determines the new system is being abuse, it can be canceled.

Xanterra’s Yellowstone concessions program manager notes half of Yellowstone’s lodging is still subject to the stricter price controls.