Plastic, not paper; Shenandoah National Park Fee Collection Goes Digital

(National Park Service)

LURAY, Va. — Beginning next month, Shenandoah National Park (SNP) will no longer accept cash payments for entrance or campground fees.

According to a media release from SNP representative Carly Adams, the park will transition to a “fully cashless” system on July 1, 2025. This means mobile or electronic payments will be accepted in person.

Visitors can also opt to use www.recreation.gov to pay entrance, campground, and permitting fees in advance of a park visit.

All park bookstores and concession facilities — such as gift shops, lodging, waysides, and restaurants — will continue to accept cash.

According to the media release, the new system will reduce the amount of time park staff spends handling cash, improve accountability, reduce risk, and increase the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services.

Entrance and campground fees are important sources of revenue used to enhance the visitor experience in national parks, supporting projects such as road and facility repairs, trail improvements, and visitor and resource protection services.

* Consisting of nearly 197,000 acres, including 80,000 acres of congressionally designated wilderness, the park encompasses parts of eight counties. Each year, millions visit the park, which includes the 105-mile Skyline Drive, 75 designated scenic overlooks, visitor centers, lodging, and restaurants. Just two hours west of Washington, D.C., the park also offers many opportunities to enjoy an overnight stay in the great outdoors.

Shenandoah National Park headquarters office is located in Luray, Virginia. For general information such as hiking maps, facility season and hours, park programs and more, visit Shenandoah National Park online or follow the park on Facebook at @shenandoahnps.

* Incorrect acreage reported in original story. We regret the error.

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