December marks the last month we can backpack for free in the GSMNP. The good ol' days are ending. It's time to get out and enjoy it one last time for free!
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It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need in order to be perfectly happy.-- Horace Kephart
I read it to mean that wilderness permits are no longer free.
I'm glad that Yosemite still has free walk in permits. Sequoia and Kings make you pay 15 per permit, no matter whether you make reservations or walk in for them.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
Sorry for the Confusion, Lori, the fees only apply to backpackers. There will be a $4 per night per person fee enacted for all backpackers staying at a backcountry site. It bites. I've been spoiled the last two years (my first trip was in 2010) by being able go to GSMNP and camp in the backcountry for free. Oh well.
_________________________
It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need in order to be perfectly happy.-- Horace Kephart
#172546 - 12/02/1205:41 PMRe: The Last Month
[Re: ETSU Pride]
OregonMouse
member
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I think most national parks charge for backcountry camping permits. In Olympic National Park, it's $5 for the group plus $2 per person per night. Mt. Rainier NP charges $20 per party (up to 14 days). This is in addition to the $15 per car fee just to get into either park. Count your blessings!
I think most national parks charge for backcountry camping permits. In Olympic National Park, it's $5 for the group plus $2 per person per night. Mt. Rainier NP charges $20 per party (up to 14 days). This is in addition to the $15 per car fee just to get into either park. Count your blessings!
Dang. I knew a lot of national parks charge an entrance fee. I was at the GSMNP' headquarters, well main visitor center, the volunteer for park said reason GSMNP don't charge an entrance fee is primarily because the State of Tennessee built the roads and then turned it over to federal government with stipulation that they don't charge for entrance. State laws have to change to let National Park Service charge a fee.
Edited by ETSU Pride (12/02/1207:05 PM)
_________________________
It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need in order to be perfectly happy.-- Horace Kephart
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon charge $20 (though the latter two will charge you one time for both parks since they are neighbors and if you visit one, you'll visit the other) to enter the park. Yosemite charges 5 per person with a $5 administrative fee to reserve wilderness permits, and walk up permits are free. SEKI charges $15 for a permit regardless of whether you have one or fifteen people.
Point Reyes charges $20 per campsite per night, for backpackers (no car camping). Unless you have a group larger than six, then it's doubled, unless you have more than 15, then it's tripled. (group size can be up to 25 in PR unlike most wilderness areas, which limit you to 15) There is no entry fee for the monument itself.
Pinnacles National Monument charges 5/car, unless you reserve a campsite in the only campground. There is no backpacking in Pinnacles, so no wilderness permits.
National parks have variable fees for various things... so not surprised at all that GSMNP is different.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon charge $20 (though the latter two will charge you one time for both parks since they are neighbors and if you visit one, you'll visit the other) to enter the park. Yosemite charges 5 per person with a $5 administrative fee to reserve wilderness permits, and walk up permits are free. SEKI charges $15 for a permit regardless of whether you have one or fifteen people.
Point Reyes charges $20 per campsite per night, for backpackers (no car camping). Unless you have a group larger than six, then it's doubled, unless you have more than 15, then it's tripled. (group size can be up to 25 in PR unlike most wilderness areas, which limit you to 15) There is no entry fee for the monument itself.
Pinnacles National Monument charges 5/car, unless you reserve a campsite in the only campground. There is no backpacking in Pinnacles, so no wilderness permits.
National parks have variable fees for various things... so not surprised at all that GSMNP is different.
That's crazy. GSMNP is the only national park I have been too. The only fee I'm accustom to is developed campgrounds. All the state parks and national forests in the area are the same way. I really want to venture out west on a journey and the fees you mentioned will be an eye opener for me! lol.
Edited by ETSU Pride (12/03/1210:58 AM)
_________________________
It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need in order to be perfectly happy.-- Horace Kephart
December marks the last month we can backpack for free in the GSMNP. The good ol' days are ending. It's time to get out and enjoy it one last time for free!
to many free places to go instead of the Smokies..explore what is around you
#172567 - 12/03/1201:35 PMRe: The Last Month
[Re: Ewker]
OregonMouse
member
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I rarely backpack in national parks. I backpack in national forests instead. Less bureaucracy, I can take my beloved backpacking buddy Hysson (see my avatar), equally beautiful scenery, far fewer people! It isn't free any more, thanks to the almost universal requirement of parking passes ($30/year here in the NW). Of course I have the interagency senior pass, one time charge of $10, so even the parking pass isn't an issue for me (gotta be some advantage to being old!).
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
I agree with OM on the less bureaucracy and hassle in NFs compared to NPs- and remember, I did ny career in the National Park Service! The key to the whole thing is the smaller visitor loads in the National Forests and the greater emphasis on preservation and conservation in the Parks.
When you kids get old enough, run, do not walk to the nearest source for the senior pass (age 62). It will pay off enormously - no entrance fees and half off all other fees. It has paid extremely well for me. And, yes, NPS employees pay fees just like everyone else when visiting parks...
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