In 1996, Congress allowed national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, as well as sites overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, to set up "demonstration programs" involving higher fees to visitors. But those out to enjoy the scenery won't have to float a loan; the fees are still dirt cheap.

• This year's $20 per carload fee at Yellowstone National Park -- which is good for an entire week's stay -- still costs only about one-eighth of what it cost, adjusted for inflation, when Woodrow Wilson was President.

• The doubling of the price at Yellowstone is one of close to 100 such increases tourists will notice on federal lands they visit this summer.

• The increased fees will only cover 10 percent of what it costs the government to maintain the parks and recreational areas.

• Fiscal 1997 revenues from the new program should be around $65 million, with at least 80 percent of the new fees going directly to the areas where the money was collected -- rather than to Washington.

The money will go to upkeep of the parks. Some critics say the parks have often been short-changed in the past because congress is more interested in having more federal lands than taking care of the ones it has.

While the demonstration is still a far cry from privatization, free-market analysts say, it is at least a sign that market principles are being introduced.

Source: Tim W. Ferguson, "Grin and Bear It," Forbes, June 16, 1997.