Chapter 6, Problem 6.2.7PA

The entrance fee into Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming is “$50 for a private, noncommercial vehicle; $40 for a motorcycle; or $20 for each visitor 16 and older entering by foot, bike, ski, etc.” The fee provides the visitor with a seven day entrance permit into Yellowstone and nearby Grand Teton National Park.

1. a. Would you expect the demand for entry into Yellowstone National Park for visitors in private, noncommercial vehicles to be elastic or inelastic? Briefly explain.
2. b. There are three general ways to enter the park: in a private, noncommercial vehicle; on a motorcycle; and by foot, bike, or ski. Which way would you expect to have the largest price elasticity of demand, and which would you expect to have the smallest price elasticity of demand? Briefly explain.

Source: National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park. “Fees, Reservations, and Permits.” http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm, 2015.