PARC Act Requires National Parks to Accept Cash for Entrance Fees

The "Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act," or PARC Act, sets a clear rule for the National Park System: any park unit that charges an entrance fee must accept good old-fashioned cash. The core purpose is straightforward – ensuring that how you pay doesn't become a barrier to entry.

Keeping the Gates Open for Cash

This legislation directly impacts how visitors pay to get into places like Yosemite or Acadia. If there's an entrance fee, the park has to provide a way for you to pay with cash. This tackles the potential issue where parks might shift to electronic-only payments, potentially leaving out folks who prefer cash, don't have bank accounts, or lack credit/debit cards. It’s about maintaining a fundamental payment option to ensure broader accessibility to these public lands.

Dollars and Sense at the Entrance Booth

For anyone planning a park visit, this means you can count on cash being accepted at the gate, removing one potential hurdle. It guarantees access for people who operate primarily with cash or international tourists who might find cash simpler. While this is convenient for visitors, it does mean the National Park Service needs to ensure all fee-collecting locations maintain procedures for handling and securing physical currency, which could involve some operational adjustments.