The rising fees of the national parks, interesting article

Inflation is hitting hard from every side, even from "our" national parks. The epidemy of fees keeps growing. And sure, this will affect the rich.   

Did some government officer forgot about the families that make $10 an hour? What about those who need two jobs to survive? Will our national parks become a natural version of the expensive parks of Disney?

$30 for a single night of primitive camping is a lot for too many - and you need to add the entrance fee. Such prices can jeopardize the milk supply of their following month. And don't we already pay for the national parks through our income tax? 

An article published in National Park Traveler questions the avalanche of fees. 

Critics of these fees refer to them as a "Recreation Access Tax," or RAT taxes. Like frogs in that pot of cool water, is the park-going public being lulled into a more and more costly national park experience by the growth of what the National Park Service calls "amenity fees"?

How far should government appropriations — the annual National Park Service budget — go to covering the costs associated with our connection with the parks? And beyond the cost of a nightly campsite, or a boat launch permit, or even a hike, is it reasonable to charge a processing fee on top of those fees?


Do we want to transform our national parks in exclusive destinations for the elite?   

Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.

          George Carlin

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