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Financial Accessibility of National Parks in the United States

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki


The U.S. National Park Service charges visitors entrance fees to all of their parks around the United States. There are other fees that sometimes apply such as parking or facilities use. These fees depend on the funding that the parks receive from the federal government and tend to fluctuate over the years.

Federal Funding[edit]

During the period between 1988 and 2003, federal funding for the national parks increased, but mandates took up more of the budget. These mandates included the Endangered Species Act, other EPA acts, and health and safety regulations. This left money in the budget for park maintenance. [1] During the period between 2005 and 2014, federal funding from Congress declined by 8%. While government funding decreased during this time, other funding from donations, sponsors, fees, and other sources increased by 39%.[2]

Funding for the year 2016[edit]

The National Park Service has resorted to other sources of funding besides the government as they need $12 billion for maintenance projects that are long overdue. The NPS has turned to companies for donations and sponsorships for these projects. The park service even started waiving policies in order to raise more money, including a policy in which the NPS could not partner with alcohol companies and another which prohibited park vehicles to have corporate logos as ads on them. While still in office, Obama called for an increase in spending on the parks because climate change poses a huge threat to the parks, but the current administration may repeal this decision. Although Congress was against him, Obama chose to defend more national parks than any other president; stopping 265 million acres of land and water from being developed or destroyed.[3]

Admission Fees[edit]

Annual Pass[edit]

Access to National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands requires either a yearly pass or an entrance fee in order to access their facilities. Annual Passes to these areas are $80 per person, while Daily Passes vary from park to park.[4] U.S. Military members are eligible for a free annual pass.[5] Other reduced prices offered include a Senior Lifetime Pass for only $10, a free access pass for people with disabilities, and a free annual pass for fourth grade children.[6] These Annual Passes give the user access to any of the 2,000 parks or lands and includes any entrance fees that the facilities might charge.

Entrance Fees by Park[edit]

The following fees are all valid for 7 days in the park with entrance via vehicle, motorcycle, or on foot or bike.

National Park Vehicle Fee Motorcycle Fee Per Person Fee
Acadia National Park[7] $25 $20 $12
American Samoa[8] Free Free Free
Arches[9] $25 $15 $10
Badlands[10] $20 $10 $10
Big Bend[11] $25 $20 $12
Biscayne[12] Free Free Free
Black Canyon of the Gunnison[13] $15 $15 $7
Bryce Canyon[14] $30 $25 $15
Canyonlands[15] $25 $15 $10
Capitol Reef[16] $10* $10* $10*
Carlsbad Caverns[17] - - $10
Channel Islands[18] Free Free Free
Congaree[19] Free Free Free
Crater Lake[20] $10 $10 $10
Cuyahoga Valley[21] Free Free Free
Death Valley[22] $25 $20 $12
Denali[23] - - $10
Dry Tortugas[24] - - $10
Everglades[25] $25 $20 $8
Gates of the Arctic[26] Free Free Free
Glacier[27] $30 $25 $15
Glacier Bay[28] Free Free Free
Grand Canyon[29] $30 $25 $15
Grand Teton[30] $30 $25 $15
Great Basin[31] Free Free Free
Great Sand Dunes[32] $15 $10 -
Great Smoky Mountains Free Free Free
Guadalupe Mountains[33] $5
Haleakalā[34] $20 $15 $10
Hawaii Volcanoes[35] $20 $15 $10
Hot Springs[36] Free Free Free
Isle Royale[37] - - $7
Joshua Tree[38] $25 $12 $12
Katmai[39] Free Free Free
Kenai Fjords[40] Free Free Free
Kings Canyon[41] $30 $25 $15
Kobuk Valley Free Free Free
Lake Clark[42] Free Free Free
Lassen Volcanic[43] $20 $15 $10
Mammoth Cave[44] Free Free Free
Mesa Verde[45] $15/$20 $10/$15 $7/$10
Mount Rainier[46] $25 $20 $10
North Cascades[47] Free Free Free
Olympic[48] $25 $15 $10
Petrified Forest[49] $20 $10 $10
Pinnacles[50] $15 $15 $10
Redwood[51] Free Free Free
Rocky Mountain[52] $30 $25 $15
Saguaro[53] $15 $10 $5
Sequoia[41] $30 $25 $15
Shenandoah[54] $25 $20 $10
Theodore Roosevelt[55] $25 $20 $12
Virgin Islands[56] Free Free Free
Voyageurs[57] Free Free Free
Wind Cave[58] Free Free Free
Wrangell–St. Elias[59] Free Free Free
Yellowstone[60] $30 $25 $15
Yosemite[61] $30 $20 $15
Zion[62] $30 $25 $15

Accessibility for People of Color[edit]

Minorities Presence Missing from the Parks[edit]

Although there are many national parks dedicated to minority groups like Native Americans and Native Hawaiians as well as sites specifically for the remembrance and acknowledgment of historical landmarks for minority groups like Brown v. Board of Education, there is a lack of attendance from minority groups to the National Parks. The parks are very diverse in location, size, and purpose so this is not explanation for their absence in the open space. Theories conclude minorities may not be going due to economic barriers like access to cars for travel or time and freedom for leisure activities. There also may be discrimination in attending these parks and going to National Parks and participating in nature leisure is seen as "white", so these groups may not feel comfortable exploring the parks.[63]

Current Accessibility Information[edit]

The higher the median family income, the more likely the family is to travel to foreign places, but the less likely they are to visit National Parks. This income disparity in national park usage makes sense as lower income families cannot afford an expensive vacation abroad so they go to nearby National Parks instead. [64]

Under the Trump Administration[edit]

Trump directly targeted the National Parks System and their National Parks Service Twitter account after they tweeted about the issue of climate change. Accessibility to national parks can decrease during this administration because President Trump has threatened to defund the National Parks Service. This would cause the National Parks to become more expensive to visit, through increase in entrance or yearly fees, or in some cases even shutting down National Parks. Our national parks are becoming increasingly vulnerable to destruction as climate change will negatively impact the ecosystems of many of our National Parks. President Trump and his administration stand by the idea that climate change is a hoax. By denying concrete evidence of a social media account from our National Parks System, the President is creating a very dangerous precedent for the safety and prosperity of our nation's ecosystems. President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are focusing on the nation's infrastructure repairs rather than the environment or National Parks. President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association Theresa Pierno wrote a letter to the editor in the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch discussing her disgust in the funding of infrastructure repair over national parks repairs. She calls upon the current administration to, "make funding our national parks a priority again," as well as cites the $12 billion infrastructure repair backlog that the National Parks System now faces.[65]

The Congressional Review Act, only successfully invoked once before, is now being used again to overturn a variety of rules issued under the Obama administration. On March 6, the Senate used a Congressional Review Act vote in the house to repeal an effort by the Bureau of Land Management to attempt to improve our national parks. [66] The ruling that was overturned, known as Planning 2.0, was the a long-overdue modernization of the Bureau of Land Management's management of our national parks. Planning 2.0 included adopting more advanced technology, such as utilizing Geographic Information System mapping. The Congressional Review Act's conservative policies allows congress to either accept or reject the new rule, so the Bureau of Land Management now has to go back to their prior planning rule (Planning 1.0, essentially) last updated over three decades ago in 1983. Bobby McEnaney, Senior Deputy Director of the Western Renewable Energy Project, explains the negative impacts of the CRA: "But with a Congressional Review Act, even if the Bureau of Land Management wanted to make minor modifications in how it plans for change in the future, it may have to go through the Congressional process first for approval. And that means that the Bureau of Land Management would be handcuffed with a framework from 1983, to the point where staff may not even be able to employ modern tools—including now-standard technology like GIS maps or online databases—to inform the public." [67]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Pergams, Oliver R. W.; Zaradic, Patricia A. (2006-09-01). "Is love of nature in the US becoming love of electronic media? 16-year downtrend in national park visits explained by watching movies, playing video games, internet use, and oil prices". Journal of Environmental Management. 80 (4): 387–393. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.02.001.
  2. ↑ "Hurting for Cash, U.S. National Parks Turn to Companies". Bloomberg.com. 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  3. ↑ "Hurting for Cash, U.S. National Parks Turn to Companies". Bloomberg.com. 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  4. ↑ "America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  5. ↑ "America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  6. ↑ "America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  7. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Acadia National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  8. ↑ "Basic Information - National Park of American Samoa (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  9. ↑ "Basic Information - Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  10. ↑ "Basic Information - Badlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  11. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  12. ↑ "Basic Information - Biscayne National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  13. ↑ "Basic Information - Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  14. ↑ "Basic Information - Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  15. ↑ "Basic Information - Canyonlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  16. ↑ "Basic Information - Capitol Reef National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  17. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  18. ↑ "Basic Information - Channel Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  19. ↑ "Basic Information - Congaree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  20. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Crater Lake National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  21. ↑ "Basic Information - Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  22. ↑ "Death Valley Entrance Fees 2016 - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  23. ↑ "Basic Information - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  24. ↑ "Basic Information - Dry Tortugas National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  25. ↑ "Basic Information - Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  26. ↑ "Basic Information - Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  27. ↑ "Basic Information - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  28. ↑ "Basic Information - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  29. ↑ "Basic Information - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  30. ↑ "Basic Information - Grand Teton National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  31. ↑ "Basic Information - Great Basin National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  32. ↑ "Basic Information - Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  33. ↑ "Basic Information - Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  34. ↑ "Basic Information - Haleakalā National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  35. ↑ "Basic Information - Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  36. ↑ "Basic Information - Hot Springs National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  37. ↑ "Basic Information - Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  38. ↑ "Basic Information - Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  39. ↑ "Basic Information - Katmai National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  40. ↑ "Basic Information - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Basic Information - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  42. ↑ "Basic Information - Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  43. ↑ "Basic Information - Lassen Volcanic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  44. ↑ "Basic Information - Mammoth Cave National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  45. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Mesa Verde National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  46. ↑ "Basic Information - Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  47. ↑ "Basic Information - North Cascades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  48. ↑ "Basic Information - Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  49. ↑ "Basic Information - Petrified Forest National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  50. ↑ "Basic Information - Pinnacles National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  51. ↑ "Basic Information - Redwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  52. ↑ "Basic Information - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  53. ↑ "Basic Information - Saguaro National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  54. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  55. ↑ "Basic Information - Theodore Roosevelt National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  56. ↑ "Basic Information - Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  57. ↑ "Basic Information - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  58. ↑ "Basic Information - Wind Cave National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  59. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  60. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  61. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  62. ↑ "Fees & Passes - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  63. ↑ "Why Do So Few Minority People Visit National Parks? Visitation and the Accessibility of "America's Best Idea" (PDF Download Available)". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  64. ↑ Pergams, Oliver R. W.; Zaradic, Patricia A. (2006-09-01). "Is love of nature in the US becoming love of electronic media? 16-year downtrend in national park visits explained by watching movies, playing video games, internet use, and oil prices". Journal of Environmental Management. 80 (4): 387–393. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.02.001.
  65. ↑ "Make funding our national parks a priority again". stltoday.com. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  66. ↑ "What Will Become of National Parks Under Republican Rule?". Esquire. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  67. ↑ "Congress Kills BLM's Planning 2.0 Rule". NRDC. Retrieved 2017-03-18.


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