Should National Parks Be Free?

Streams of water falling off towering cliffs. Bison peacefully munching grass. Red-rock canyons glowing at sunset. These are among the breathtaking scenes you can experience at America’s national parks. 

The stunning spaces draw hundreds of millions of visitors every year. And that’s why the parks were created: to provide protected areas of nature that everyone can enjoy. 

The fact is, however, that not everyone can easily access national parks. A number of parks charge visitors an entrance fee. And Americans who don’t visit national parks say cost is a top reason why. Given that, some people wonder: Should national parks be free?

Streams of water falling off tall cliffs. Bison peacefully eating grass. Red-rock canyons glowing at sunset. These are some of the amazing sights you can see at America’s national parks.

The parks were created so everyone can spend time in protected areas of nature. Hundreds of millions of people visit them every year. But many of the parks charge an entrance fee. Those who don’t visit say the cost is a big reason why. So, some people wonder, should national parks be free?

In the mid-1800s, America was losing much of its natural beauty. Millions of people were moving west to seek a better life. Farms, railroads, and mines—for digging out precious metals like gold and silver—began to cover previously unspoiled landscapes. 

In an effort to preserve the country’s natural wonders, the federal government created the first national park, Yellowstone, in 1872. President Theodore Roosevelt, who established five national parks, saw them as spaces where all people could connect with nature. Yet as early as 1908, some parks began charging visitors a fee. 

Some still do today. Fees range from $5 to $20 per person or up to $35 per car. That may not sound like much. But it’s just for entering the parks. Food and lodging inside or near parks can be expensive. For example, a hotel in Yellowstone can cost $100 to $300 per night. That doesn’t even include the plane tickets or gas needed to get there.

Ditching entry fees could encourage more people to visit the parks. That’s only fair, some people say. After all, national parks are public spaces run by the government. That means that they already receive money through taxes the government collects from people. Shouldn’t Americans get to enjoy these spaces without having to pay even more? 

In the mid-1800s, America was losing much of its natural beauty. Millions of people were moving west for a better life. Farms and railroads were created. Mines were dug to find expensive metals like gold and silver. The natural environment began to disappear.

The federal government opened the first national park, Yellowstone, in 1872 to protect wild landscapes. President Theodore Roosevelt started five national parks so all people could connect with nature. But in 1908, some parks started charging visitors fees.

Some still do today. Fees can be $5 to $20 per person. It can cost up to $35 per car to drive into the parks. That may not sound like much. But it’s just for entering the parks. Food can be expensive. Staying in or near the parks can be costly too. For example, a hotel in Yellowstone can be $100 to $300 per night. That doesn’t even include the plane tickets or gas needed to get there.

Ending entry fees could help more people visit the parks. Some people say that’s only fair. National parks are public spaces run by the government. That means the parks already get money through taxes the government collects from people.

Shouldn’t Americans get to enjoy these spaces without having to pay more?

But others worry that without entry fees, parks couldn’t stay open. Although fees may be stopping some from visiting the parks, the number of visitors is actually increasing. In 2023, more than 325 million people visited national parks—up 4 percent from 2022.

As more tourists use the parks’ roads, buildings, and restrooms, those facilities break down—and need fixing. Across the National Park System, about $23 billion worth of repairs are currently needed. 

“Retaining entrance fees is absolutely essential,” Cam Sholly, who helps run Yellowstone National Park, has said. By law, most of the fees collected in a park must be spent on improvements to that park.

Park officials also point out that only 108 park sites, of more than 400, charge visitors. Kids under the age of 16 are always let in for free. And several fee-free days are offered every year. So there are ways for people to enjoy at least some of the parks without paying.

But perhaps there’s a more creative solution. Some have suggested charging higher prices for international tourists so Americans can go for free. Others think a “pay what you can” model could be more fair. Another idea would be to ditch fees for first-time visitors. That way everyone could have a better chance of experiencing each park at least once.

After all, enjoying the magic of these places in person helps inspire people to protect these wild lands. And that is key to their future.

But others worry that parks couldn’t stay open without entry fees. Fees may stop some from going to the parks. But the number of park visitors is increasing. In 2023, more than 325 million people visited national parks. That’s up 4 percent from 2022.

As more visitors use the parks’ roads, buildings, and restrooms, the facilities break down and need to be fixed. About $23 billion worth of repairs are currently needed across the National Park System. “Retaining entrance fees is absolutely essential,” says Cam Sholly. He helps run Yellowstone National Park.

By law, most of the fees collected in a park must be used to improve that park. Plus only 108 parks, out of more than 400, charge fees. Kids under 16 always get in for free. And several fee-free days happen every year. So there are ways for people to enjoy some of the parks without paying.

But maybe there’s another solution. Some have suggested higher entry costs for international tourists so Americans can go for free. Others think a “pay what you can” rule could be more fair. Or parks could get rid of fees for first-time visitors. That way everyone could have a better chance of experiencing the parks at least once.

After all, enjoying the magic of these places in person can inspire people to protect these wild lands. That is key to their future.