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Your National Parks Pass Doesn't Always Cover Your Entrance Fee

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on October 10, 2006 - 4:30pm

Morugeorge_copy When doesn't your $50 National Parks Pass cover the cost of entering a unit of the national park system? When you visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, that's when.
You see, while your pass gets you through the Park Service's entrance gate, you'll have to shell out $8 to park inside the memorial!
In what sure seems like an example of the privatizing of your parks, it turns out that the parking garage was not built with federal dollars, but rather by Presidential Parking, Inc. -- catchy name, no? -- and that company controls the parking at the memorial. We will next run into Grand Canyon Parking, Inc., or Yosemite Valley Parking, Inc.?
If there's an upside to this fee, it's good for an entire year. Of course, that's probably little solace if you drove there from New Jersey. Oh, and if you think you can avoid the fee by parking on the shoulder of the road leading to the memorial, don't try that, as Scott Silver from Wild Wilderness tells me the South Dakota State Police will be happy to ticket your rig.
Of course, what really makes this sadly ironic is that Mount Rushmore in the past has graced the National Parks Pass.

Comments

Submitted by matt (not verified) on October 10, 2006 - 5:26pm.
This annoyed me on a summer-long road trip in 2000. I was still in college and didn't have much money, fortunately for me the booth attendant was a similarly aged college girl who gave in to my wily charm and let me in for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Aren't there free parking lots way down the hill? Its been six years and I don't remember too much about it.
Submitted by Rick McCharles (not verified) on October 10, 2006 - 5:38pm.
One day you should do a review of the Canadian National Park system. For example: Annual National Parks vehicle passes for both countries: Canada = US$111.35 (C$123.80) USA = US$50 http://besthike.com/blog/?p=152
Submitted by James (not verified) on October 11, 2006 - 2:52pm.
Well, this only goes back to my message that a very thorough audit needs to be done on exactly where the money is generated and where it is going! I don't consider this privatization as much as I think it is monetization of the National Parks. Everything is about generating revenue and very little foresight and planning is given to the Park Service's true mission. Again, the majority of the parks were supposed to be bought and paid for decades or centuries ago yet we keep paying as if they weren't!
Submitted by Alan Gregory (not verified) on October 11, 2006 - 4:53pm.
Presidential Parking Inc.? Sounds like something a sleazy K Street lobbyist would be involved in. In any case, it sure doesn't bode well for this or any other unit in the Park System.
Submitted by kath (not verified) on October 12, 2006 - 7:23am.
Looks like your National Parks pass doesn't get you into Canyon de Chelly either since it is mandatory that you hire a Navajo guide and jeep to see the ruins.
Submitted by kath (not verified) on October 12, 2006 - 11:52am.
Geez, it's $15 an HOUR in Canyon de Chelly. Mt. Rushmore is a bargain by comparison.
Submitted by Anomynous (not verified) on October 12, 2006 - 5:54pm.
Some NPS units like Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area charge "Parking Fees" to get you to pay fees that the National Park Pass do not cover.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on August 3, 2007 - 10:56am.

Maybe those who put out the park passes should do some research! They caused nothing but headaches for those at Mount Rushmore. It's not Mount Rushmore's fault that they were featured on the pass!

Submitted by wtfmate (not verified) on August 9, 2007 - 11:29pm.

Ok, heres why your pass doesnt cover the 8 dollar fee. When attendance to Mount Rushmore started to become more than the tiny lot could handle, obviously, something had to be done. A 17 million dollar parking structure was proposed, but federal funding wasnt approved for it. Instead congress granted a loan for it. Yes, loans have to be paid off. Hence, the 8 dollar fee.

but anyways.... its 8 dollars....and you can come back anytime you want to with however many people you can fit in your car. If you cant afford 8 dollars, maybe you shouldnt be on vacation.