A judge has again dismissed a challenge to the National Park Service cashless policy, ruling that visitor Toby Stover wasn’t harmed by the rule. Stover tried to pay with cash at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites in Hyde Park, New York, but was turned away.
Stover’s attorney, Ray Flores, had asked the court to overturn the cashless system. But U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly wrote, “The Court finds, again, that Stover has failed to plausibly allege that she suffered an injury,” noting he dismissed a similar case last year.
The judge explained that the policy doesn’t block entry—it simply requires a different form of payment. “Even if Stover had plausibly alleged that she planned to return to Hyde Park or any other similar NPS site, any injury flowing from the alleged NPS policy would not be sufficiently concrete to satisfy standing,” Kelly wrote. “That is so because Stover has not alleged that she cannot pay the entrance fee electronically. In fact, she readily admits that she ‘has the necessary means’ to do so.”
Flores told The Center Square that Stover plans to appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
NPS cashless policy aims to improve efficiency
The NPS said it stopped accepting cash at some parks to manage funds more efficiently. According to the agency, “Reducing cash collections allows the National Park Service to be better stewards of the fees collected from visitors. Cashless options reduce transaction times at busy entrance stations and decrease the risk of theft. Moving to a cashless system improves accountability and consistency, reduces chances of errors, and maximizes the funding available for critical projects and visitor services.”
The website also notes that alternatives exist for visitors who can’t pay electronically. “Each park that has completed the transition to cashless fee collection has an alternative option for visitors who are not able to pay with a credit or debit card. The specific arrangements vary by park, and park staff onsite will be able to assist. Most parks that have converted to cashless fee collection have had an overwhelmingly positive experience.”
Reader reactions are divided
Some RVtravel.com readers say the move to cashless systems is frustrating. Jesse Crouse commented, “They want to eliminate the cashless economy to track a 40 billion dollar per year tax free way to not pay for goods and services rendered. Cash is King.”
Others understand the efficiency argument. Jake H., a camp host in a national forest, noted, “Cash and checks take a lot of time to collect, sort, count, and record. And many of my newer/younger visitors want to pay by card… Most of my campers come with only one or the other but don’t have both.”
Some readers also worry about fairness and access. Mrpavet wrote, “Many poor people can’t get credit cards… I prefer to pay cash.”
Cost savings highlighted at Death Valley
In 2023, the NPS explained why Death Valley National Park went cashless. The park collected $22,000 in cash in 2022 but spent $40,000 handling it. “Cash handling costs include an armored car contract to transport cash and park rangers’ time counting money and processing paperwork,” the agency said. “The transition to cashless payments will allow the NPS to redirect the $40,000 previously spent processing cash to directly benefit park visitors.”
Judge notes personal choice, not policy harm
Of the more than 400 national parks, 108 charge an entrance fee. Judge Kelly emphasized that any choice to stay away from a park is a personal decision, not a policy injury. “To the extent that Stover alleges that she suffers ongoing injury from her choice to stay away from Hyde Park or any other similar NPS site while the alleged NPS policy she challenges is in place, that choice is an injury of her own making,” he wrote.
Stover first ran into the cashless requirement in January 2024, but the judge ruled her frustration alone wasn’t enough for a federal lawsuit.
Sources include The Center Square, RVtravel.com
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RVT1239b
Legal tender for all debts, public and private.
Yep. And the same Gov’t that prints that on money now refuses to accept it. Go figure.
Doesn’t affect me personally one way or the other, but when they have that printed on money it should mean something. Apparently, it doesn’t.
In the context of “legal tender for all debts, public and private,” “debt” refers to a legally enforceable obligation to pay a sum of money, typically arising from a prior agreement, transaction, or court judgment. Once a debt exists—such as an outstanding loan, unpaid invoice, tax liability, or court-ordered payment—offering U.S. coins or currency (legal tender) satisfies the debtor’s obligation, even if the creditor refuses the payment.
This definition applies only after a debt has been established; it does not compel businesses or individuals to accept cash as payment in voluntary transactions (e.g., at the point of sale). The term excludes situations where no debt yet exists, such as purchasing goods or services on the spot.
Years ago, I bought a Golden Age card. It is my no cash, no credit card entry into National Parks.
I totally understand and support the NPS going cashless. The amount of resources it takes to handle cash is crazy. The arguments against it that I’ve seen so far seem based more on stubbornness than sense. That said, I’m left with two questions – What’s the alternative if internet connectivity is interrupted and will I get charged a “convenience fee” because there’s conveniently no other option to pay?
Hey, first there absolutely should be no other add-on fees. If there are, then we have a right to be able to pay in cash, w/o the fee. Second, if they lose the ability to take plastic (due to internet, for example), then we should be allowed to enter w/o paying, during that period of time. Me, I personally believe we should always have the choice. Also, it’s very odd to force “cashless”, whilst many companies and establishments are now charging people surcharges to use a credit card vs. cash. I guess those places will stave off the “completely cashless society” some have worried about.
I don’t agree with having to use credit cards. Is this a way some politicians are getting campaign donations for reelection from the credit cards company. Why can’t the National Park Service have stores sell no cost gift cards like many stores and restaurants do. If you buy a Visa or Mastercard gift card. They charge around $7. fee for the card. If you have a credit card the business that accepts them pays a fee, you pay interest and in some instances you pay an extra 3% in some business for them to accept the credit cards.
Plus in the future according to a lawsuit settlement. Some businesses may be allowed not to accept credit cards that give you points. These credit cards cost more presently for businesses to accept. Does that also mean those of us who don’t have credit cards that give points for their purchase? Are we subsidizing people with those cards?
I really don’t see a problem. How many people traveling don’t carry a credit/debit card?
Why don’t these people complain about fuel pumps not accepting cash?
Yes, at most you can go inside, pre-pay, pump your gas then go back to get your change.
A total inconvenience and more time walking in and waiting in line, paying, walking out to pump, then walking back in to get your change and then waiting again.
All the time blocking the pumps for others.
Plus the hassle of having to carry around huge sums of cash, to fill our motorhome (or hauler vehicle) tanks.
We do carry some cash, but not huge amounts. We’ve never paid cash for fuel while traveling.
The cash normally used at places to eat or grabbing some quick drinks.
PS: I wonder how these naysayers pay for a campground or ever make a reservation at one.
I know it’s a different situation. But when we visited Ireland in 2018, almost all the B&B’s we stayed at required us to pay in cash (Euros). I think only 2 took credit cards.
I assume even the national parks have to pay the processing fees, so that needs to be subtracted from the amount the park actually receives. I’ve worked in retail and agree that payments by card are far quicker and easier to process, but definitely cut into the amount of net receipts.
The fee is normally 2-3%. I don’t think that would break the NPS. More time is wasted when cash is being used to make the transaction. How much it that worth?
Maybe they should require exact cash payment only.
Solves the problem with the complainers about not taking cash! Wait for the flack!
I have no problem with going cashless as long I don’t have to pay an addition fee to the private, for profit Recreation.gov just to pay for a campsite. Yes, if you are using their reservation site, it is fine but not on the first come – first serve campsite.