Starting July 1, Shenandoah National Park will no longer accept cash for entrance and campground fees, marking a full transition to a cashless payment system.
According to an article by the News Leader, The National Park Service (NPS) stated that the park will now only accept mobile or electronic forms of payment, such as debit and credit cards, for these specific charges.
Visitors planning trips to the park can prepay for entrance and campground fees through Recreation.gov, or use card-based payments on-site.
The change applies strictly to entrance and campground transactions. Cash will still be accepted at other park locations, including bookstores, gift shops, lodging, and dining areas.
The move is part of a broader strategy to streamline park operations. “Entrance fees and campground fees are important sources of revenue used to enhance the visitor experience in national parks, supporting projects that include road and facility repair and maintenance, trail improvements, and visitor and resource protection services,” the NPS explained.
The agency also emphasized the operational benefits of eliminating cash handling. “Moving to a cashless system reduces the amount of time park staff spends accounting for cash, improves accountability and reduces risk and increases the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services,” it added.
This shift is part of a growing trend within the outdoor recreation sector, as many parks and recreation areas adopt digital payment systems to improve efficiency and visitor service.
For RV travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, especially those relying on national park campgrounds, being prepared with digital payment methods will be increasingly important.