RVers who buy national park entrance passes or pay gate fees often assume that money stays close to the parks they visit. A new report from The New York Times says that’s only partly true—and some of those dollars are now helping fund major restoration projects in Washington, D.C.
According to the report, the National Park Service is using at least $67 million in park entrance fee revenue to help pay for projects in the nation’s capital. That includes repairs to ornamental fountains and work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
That may surprise RVers who have watched campground roads crumble, bathrooms close for repairs, dump stations fail or reservation pressure increase at heavily used parks.
Still, the situation is more complicated than it may first sound.
Why some fee money leaves the parks where it was collected
Under federal law, at least 80% of entrance fee revenue collected at a park must stay at that park. The remaining portion can legally be used elsewhere in the park system, including sites that do not charge entrance fees at all.
That means the spending itself is not illegal or outside long-established rules. The debate centers more on priorities—especially at a time when the park system still faces a massive maintenance backlog involving roads, sewer systems, visitor facilities and aging infrastructure.
For RVers, that backlog is not abstract.
What RVers may notice when maintenance gets delayed
Even when parks are crowded and entrance fees keep rising, those dollars do not always stay local.
Anyone who has bounced through pothole-riddled campground loops, dealt with closed restrooms or found reservation systems strained during peak season has already seen the effects of deferred maintenance. Parks such as Zion National Park have publicly struggled with infrastructure needs, including sewer system concerns and heavy visitation pressure.
The New York Times analysis found that more than three-quarters of recreation-fee spending between December 2025 and March 2026 went toward projects in Washington, D.C. That appears to be a much larger share than in recent years.
Critics argue that park visitors expect fee dollars to support practical needs at the parks themselves. Supporters of the D.C. projects counter that the National Mall, memorials and related sites are also part of the national park system and receive enormous public use.
For RVers, the bigger issue may not be politics at all. It may simply be transparency.
Why the debate is about priorities as much as politics
Many travelers probably don’t realize that the National Park Service can redirect a portion of entrance fee revenue to other parks instead of spending all of it at the park that collected the money. The current discussion is shining a brighter light on how that system works.
It also arrives during a period when many RVers already feel squeezed by higher campground costs, reservation restrictions, and growing entrance fees at some parks. That can make questions about where the fee money goes feel more personal than political.
Summer travelers will still face crowded parks and rising entrance fees, but the National Park Service will not spend all of those dollars at the parks where visitors paid them.
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RVT1263b
Our national parks are in dire need of having upgrades and refinements made to them. For Trump to take this money, for vanity projects which are of no real value, is an affront to our citizens!
Not much different than his Golden Ballroom. Was supposedly being financed by private entities. Now 1 billion dollars being spent on unneeded security updates. These updates weren’t needed before, why now?
No president before him has been targeted 4 times in less than two years.
Because ALL of the “assassination attempts” were staged, just to try to justify the money being wasted on the “ballroom” that most US citizens don’t want to see being built. NwB🇨🇦
And now, he’s hosting a MME event OUTDOORS. Kind of negates his argument for the need for a ballroom, doesn’t it?
Good luck Nelson, with your 72 cent dollar, $52.00 case of beer, 14 month wait for hip surgery and Canada’s net household wage that 17% lower than the USA. Don’t forget to keep those elbows up, Carney’s tarrif war is going well.
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We are the mouse sleeping beside the elephant. FYI; We did not start any tariff war. Just another reason I will probably not travel back to the USA until he is gone.
I’m sure we’ll all suffer through the loss.
Well Nelson, just think, if you ever get to go to an event at the Whitehouse, your high heels won’t sink into the lawn in the new ballroom like they would inside the Obama Circus tents!
Hey Bob, unneeded security upgrades?? Well, with all the crazy lefty’s out there and your so-called leaders fueling their derangement, they are needed.
Notice how the ide who claim to be one thing is always the opposite? Look at who is the violent group! Who is enforcing the laws on the book and who is encouraging the minion to break the law?
The headline that Trump is taking money is sooooo misleading. Take a civics class to see who appropriates money.
How is it misleading?
BECAUSE IT’S FALSE!
That’s a fair question Robin.
A non-misleading headline would read, “$67 million in National Park visitor fees to fund Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pond and nearby fountains that have no admission fees”.
Some people might not realize that up to 20% of revenue collected at National Parks are used to support parks that have no admission/visitor fees and of the over four hundred National Parks that exist, just over a hundred actually charge a visitor’s fee.
There are several “projects” being funded this way.
SOURCE: Your Fee Dollars At Work (NPS)
One would think ex-teachers would educate themselves when it comes to what they are writing about. But then again, they are ex-teachers and thus part of the problem with this country!
Thank you!!!! Great explanation…I guess I took it for granted that folks knew this already! You said it well, Vince.
Congress appropriates the money. In this case the Secretary of the Interior redirected the funds to the projects in D.C. It “may” be within the Secretary’s authority to reprogram the funds. If nothing else it reflects that Congress is still not funding our National Parks adequately.
Trump doesn’t decide where the money goes. The Department of Interior determines that.
Funding the celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence is not a “vanity project” any more than hanging a wreath at the Unknown Soldier’s grave.
The president is stepping way outside his bounds by redirecting funds over prior congressional stated intent/aproval. And yes, total vanity, AKA: Gold Leafed Statues, the Reflection Pool painted to reflect the pool at Mar-A-Lago vs: USA’s historical past and present – losses and wins, an Arche De Trump destroying the intended sight-line to/from Arlington Cemetary, intended to be one of the tallest structures in DC. Ya’, no vanity here…!!
Gary, one can say Jackie Kennedy picking the colors of Air Force One was “way out of bounds”. Franklin D Roosevelt added a second floor and swimming pool to the West Wing. A swimming pool yet to be used by dignitaries?
Harry Truman literally gutted the ENTIRE White House to add reinforced concrete and then added a second floor called the Truman Balcony.
The Triumphal Arch is still in approval phase and must go through committee so to debate its existence absent its existence is just silly.
If painting the pond the same blue as the American flag is vanity then what’s your definition of the colors of patriotism?
No, Nice try though. The color used is in fact Dark Navy, falsely stated by this Whitehouse as American Flag Blue (AKA: Old Gloy Blue: (RGB: (0, 38, 100) or RGB (4, 30, 66). This is another lie by this Whitehouse. On top of this, all actions you cite in defense of Trump’s illeagal actions, had advance congressional approval before any work was started, excluding those which did not cost American Tax Payers. This is not true of actions by Trump, cited in this story. But what is true here, your statement support what most Americans believe; “Trump supporters will support Trump regardless of the legallity of his actions.” which is pathetic on all accounts if one support the US Constitution..!
Gary, please provide the docket/case number where the appropriate court has ruled beyond appeal that the actions cited in the story are illegal and I will give you an apology as soon as I verify it.
To promote the outcome of a lawsuit in advance of a court ruling is an opinion of something that hasn’t materialized yet. When folks state things that don’t exist as fact, they look foolish.
I don’t want anyone here to look foolish so please, share the case numbers so I can join you in condemning the activities illegal.
Thanks!
Considering that the Trump administration has won over 80% of the cases that have been heard at SCOTUS, which the Ds said were illegal, you best quit while your ahead.
Considering Virginia burned $84,000,000 (poof) of the Ds war chest just to lose a “no brainer” at SCOTUS, on the blatantly illegal redistricting, you may want to reevaluate some of the D’s TDS driven accusations of illegality.
More importantly, if something is potentially unconstitutional it will in time get to SCOTUS. Until then harping about anything as “illegal”, which the Trump administration is doing is just rhetoric and folly because based on historical data, an 80% chance is that it is valid.
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How does tearing down part of the White House to build a Ballroom celebrate our nations history? It actually destroyed a part of it.
Also, who has control of all the federal agencies?
“Do as I say or lose your job”
Now he wants his face on a $250 bill. No currency has ever had the face of a living president on it.
The vast majority of the Department of Interiors personnel are career federal employees, not political appointees. They are protected by civil service laws, meaning the President cannot fire them at will without following specific legal procedures
If anything a President does is thought unlawful, the legislative branch or the fired employee can bring it to the third branch, (the judicial branch) for a ruling. Thats why we have three branches of government.
And no living president’s face is on any currency today so let’s not debate things that haven’t occurred.
You nailed it Vince. It’s all projection. The lunatic left debates and takes issue with things that have not happened and its always the crazy stuff.
Examples of projection:
Russia collusion did happen but now we know it was the dems via Hillary. Projection.
Trump needs to be 25th amendmented…. oooops again Dems or did you miss Joe’s debate in the summer of 24? Projection.
Trump is using lawfare against his political enemies…. i don’t even need to state the projection on that.
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I actually AGREE with the disdain of any person (especially civil servants) affixing their name to public assets for the sake of self promotion so if the sitting President is not appropriate on a note commemorating our 250th anniversary that’s cool, then who?
Andrew Jackson ($20) owned slaves and created the Indian Removal Act of 1830, Ulysses S. Grant ($50) was insanely corrupt and violated the Indian Treaty of 1868, Benjamin Franklin ($100) wasn’t even a President living or dead, owned slaves and was the master of fake news. I can respect Bob not wanting our current President’s face in that crowd. Yikes!
Indeed Vince, it is in fact the 2nd or 3rd time I find myself in agreement with Bob. I guess the question for me is whether DJT is serious abiut his face on a $250 or just trying to light up the L.
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I think Trump is trolling the weak minded for the laugh.
I know folks want to think it was Trumps “narcissistic idea” but it was Congressman Joe Wilson who created H.R. 1761 suggesting the commemorative note, not Trump.
Of course, Congress has to approve the bill to authorize the addition of a $250 bill as legal tender and then repeal the Thayer Amendment of 1866 and then allow about 3 years of proofing the design before it can be put into circulation but hey…
I think it has the same chance as Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s motion to create a one trillion dollar coin with Obama’s face on it…..
So $267,000,000 stays with the parks. The annual budget for the National Park System is $2billion. Congress decides who, what, when, why and how much. Not the sitting President. Contact your Senators and Representatives if you think the money should be spread around differently.
Stop confusing Leftists with facts.
I think you are on the wrong side of her argument, but thanks for supporting her…!!
The crook needs locked up.
And his rodent pals…Forever!
read the entire story and save your TDS for something else
Interesting. Thank you for sharing the information, Russ and Tina. Have a great day and safe travels!
There are two parts to the ballroom. The ballroom is funded by private donations. The basement is a secure facility, command center rightfully funded by Congress.
Disgraceful that USA hosts international guests in rented tents and porta-potties. How third world is that. FACT is that if a Democrat was doing this, nothing would be said.
Given the many leftist attempts at assassination, beefy security is essential.
LOL! Made me spit out my coffee, ha!
PROVE him wrong, spit’in Pammy
Well that’s it….. I am hereby calling for the impeachment of President Trump. How dare that scoundrel use National Park revenue to fund repairs to Washington DC, even tho 94% of DC is National Park managed lands and parks and monuments. It was so much better before the 47 metric tonnes of trash was removed from the reflecting pond. How dare he get the 47 out of 47 inoperable fountains running for the countries 250 birthday. 51 straight years of Democrat rule in DC created the mess, why clean up for our 250th, keep the graffiti and why on earth would we need an indoor facility for hosting Kings and foreign heads of state…. with indoor plumbing?
Impeach him now!!!
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Yes, I gave the thumbs up to your comments as I am certain they are tongue in check with a slam to the democrats which left me with mixed emotions on and up or down vote! At least I hope I am correct!!
The crazies showed up for this one. It seems the Ds don’t know who runs and maintains almost every acre of space in DC, yup, it is the NPS. I guess the squalor they created is OK with them and they would have preferred that the 80% reduction in murders the past 18 months also return for our 250th Birthday. Even a few tinfoil hatters commenting on this article but I’m sure Cory Comparatores family has something to say about the “staged” assassination attempt theory.
Just nuts these people are. They need help. Absolutely amazed at the TDS on display here for this story.
Stay well. 😎✌️
I love FACTS!!!
google the photos of the transformations of the statues & fountains from dumps into places of beauty.
Well said. I had to laugh at this article acting as though the money was spent on anything OTHER than NPS. People need to get an education on the federal government.
Yes Carol, truly amazing that a demographic highly committed to NPs & park life, and a demo with most of us over the age of 55, that so many people here have/had absolutely NO CLUE on how it all works. I would venture a guess that at least 1/2 the people that read this article and in fact, perhaps included also may be the writers of this article based on the writings, had no idea that over 90% of Washington DC is National Park Managed land, including even most local parks in DC and green areas, walking paths, fountains, public spaces and yes… monuments.
Clueless they are.
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What is sad is so-called retired “educators” spews this nonsense. Truly sad!
It was both parties that created the mess. It’s just we have a narcissist now as president.
And uneducated TDS sufferers responding on here!
51 straight years of Democract rule in Washington DC from Mayor to City council….. , sure mrpavet, it is both parties tho that ruined our nations capital, I stand corrected, you’re so smart.
#1. Consider the source! #2. When is the last time you paid one dime to visit the Lincoln or any national monument which is under the control of the National Park service? #3. How is this country supposed to support these items without directly collecting entrance fees? Figure it out. #4. Congress authorized the expenditure of funds for NPS use to fund non-fee areas with funds from overused or collection areas or parks. #5. A great deal of park roads and infrastructure problems are due to seasonal use and ability to get things done in short order! #6. This is our 250th Birthday! Thank God for President Trumps vision of what the USA should be! #7. Let the comment replies fly!
They are gonna come for you hard and fast with hateful comments. LOL, 🤣😂🤣😂🤣
I thought RV Travel had strict rules in place about mean and nasty comments not being tolerated?!? 🤔
Depend which side you are on also this is just another political story that doesn’t cover all the facts by this newsletters senior editor
Well see, this newsletter is run by leftists Democrats who loathe the president, so the nasty comments about him are applauded, not deleted.
I also thought RV Travel had strict rules in place about being political. Guess that works only one way.
That depend which side the comments are!
Left – anything goes.
Right – most get deleted
I suspect this will get deleted.
Yeah, most of mine do. Especially when I state TRUE FACTS that destroy their agenda motivated spewings!
If you’re reporting news, please try to report the entire story, not just the parts that support your choice of politics. Most of DC is part of the National Park system and has been sorely neglected for many years. President Trump is trying to restore some pride to our nation’s capital.
No different than my taxes going out of the country to pay for projects that don’t benefit me, my family or my community. Redirecting funds has been a long time practice of many administrations.
That man will try to direct any money he can to put his face everywhere. There’s a word for it…narcissism. So sad and the gaslighting is insane.
Here we go, politicizing on of my “visit everyday” site. Reason I like this site is not having to read left or right crap.
I don’t think this is shocking news. From small villages, school districts, to cities, counties, and state budgets, governments take, but don’t always let you know where the money goes. Perhaps the biggest example of this is the Social Security Fund. Check out the Federal Debt to see one of the top places the government owes money to. And, nothing wrong with sprucing up D.C. for the country’s 250th Anniversary.
The reflecting pool renovation is way overdue. This article irresponsibly overlooks the fact that NONE of the DC monuments have an entrance fee, so renovation money has to come from the greater NP budget. Blaming it on the President is blatant example of Trump derangement syndrome and should be beneath the standards of this publication.
The only problem I see is the reporting. @@
BINGO!!!
Your tag line in the e-mail almost made me decide to quit your newsletter. First it is President Trump! Second, it is totally misleading. At least the article is not swayed towards virtue signaling. There are no fees for the parks in DC, so those fees to restore our Capitol to its former beauty have to come from somewhere. Please keep your taglines honest, or you may lose a lot of readers who just want to read facts.I have enjoyed your newsletter tremendously until I saw that in the e-mail.
Ai
All you acting like this is something new is laughable! You might not like the projects in DC, but that doesn’t mean this is anything new. ALL administrations have done it!
That’s right, even the Presidents YOU voted for!
You act like Trump will take these improvements with him at the end of his term. Exactly how will he take the national reflecting pool, or a fountain?
And unless you think there will NEVER AGAIN be a Democrat President (nice idea, I know!), I suspect that next Democrat will be happy to enjoy the new Big Beautiful Ballroom!
Unless you guys prefer tents and porta-potties!
Ego and narcissism has been a characteristic of all leaders. Obama among them…a case in point. May I suggest Russ and Tena that you do some key board warring and criticize all the “Learing Center” fraud that could have been spent on the NP.
The authors should fact-check who allocates funds controlled by the National Park Service. Trump has no control over this money.
The Obama administration oversaw a renovation project for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that cost approximately $34 million. Under Trump federal records indicate that a $14.8 million worth of contracts have been awarded for the project so far.
My question is after 34 million, why did the work never get done? Where did that money go? And did you question the Obama administration when “he” used 34 million of NPS monies to clean up a hell hole, when not even a trash can was emptied for 34 million?
I was a NPS ranger for 6 summers and worked for the concessions for several years before that. What an affront to the people of America. The big parks pay a royalty to DC in any event, but the rest is intended to upgrade and maintain the parks overall. What a worthless………
Who is Trump? Do you mean President Trump?
Right on Tom! Thanks for pointing it out. A little respect!
This is a fairly one-sided report and incomplete stats, mostly based at bashing our president. Where is the rest of the story? Like, revenue from camping is UP from more campground use, so it’s not just that “more” is being used elsewhere. Please tell the whole story!
Ah, more Russ & Tina TDS!!! Good grief, enough is enough!! Why don’t you write about the Reservation.GOV take-over of ALL National Park & Forest Service camping making users PAY THEM a fee to use public property????? Oh, that’s right, it is an organization allowed under the Democrats and no doubt a bunch of those fees are flowing back into Democrat election coffers!!!
“RVers who buy national park entrance passes or pay gate fees often assume that money stays close to the parks they visit.”
You know what “ASSUME” stands for. Nearly all general fees collected by the Federal (& State) Government, unless specifically earmarks for a specific purpose, go to the general fund.
NEW YORK TIMES??? Ah, such a creditable source. Maybe they are leaving entrance fees at the parks and just taking some of the allocated public funding as we all know the entrance fees do not even come close to maintaining the parks. Well, at least anyone who doesn’t suffer from TDS that is!!!!!
Why the Bias in blaming one sided vs the other? Divisions only make this world angrier,
we have had enough of political blaming!!!