If you’re planning a summer RV trip to Shenandoah National Park, take note: Starting July 1, the park will no longer accept cash for entrance or campground fees. It’s card or mobile payment only from here on out. Shenandoah will reject cash as of July 1
That means you’ll need to use a debit card, credit card, or a mobile pay app to pay at entrance stations and for reserving campsites. Want to skip the hassle altogether? You can also take care of entrance, campground, and permitting fees online before your trip.
Shenandoah will reject cash—but vendors will still take it
Important detail for RVers: Gift shops, restaurants, and lodges inside the park will still take cash, so you won’t be totally out of luck if you have some bills in your wallet. But for anything involving getting in or parking your rig overnight, you’ll need to go plastic or digital.
According to the National Park Service, this move frees up staff time, cuts down on risk, and puts more of your entrance and camping dollars toward the stuff that matters—road and campground maintenance, trail upkeep, and protecting the places you came to enjoy.
The move echoes that of more and more national park destinations. It’s not without controversy—a lawsuit on the case is still working its way through the legal hoops.
In any event, since Shenandoah will be rejecting cash soon, plan ahead. Before you roll into the park this season, double-check that your cards are working and your apps are updated. It’ll make for a smoother entrance—and more time enjoying those Skyline Drive views.
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RVT1215
I don’t see why so many seem to be against card usage only. How many people do not have at least one credit card?
It’s not much different than Toll roads going to electronic toll passes, EZPpass etc., or Toll by plate.
Credit cards save time at the entrances. Can you imagine the traffic jams at popular parks if everyone wanted to use cash? Remember the backups at toll booths?
Do these same people complain because Amazon and all other online retailers don’t take cash?
How many pay cash while fueling?
Basically, get over it and pull out your card.
Agreed.
I don’t think those against cashless fee collection hate plastic so much as they hate change.
The most interesting rebuttal I’ve heard so far from the social warriors is “it’s just another example of the rich oppressing the poor by using “wealth privilege” to discriminate against those too poor for banking thus have no bank cards.”
Of course that assumes the impoverished lack the sense to use a prepaid gift card but hey, who am I to get in the way of a ridiculous protest?
Too poor to have a banking account and credit card? Too poor to be RVing!
How do they plan on traveling or heaven forbid they need to call a tow truck or need to check into a motel in an emergency. Heck, on a normal week long trip we can use $600 just for fuel.
We normally only carry about $300 in cash locked up in case we lose the cards.
Thank you, Russ and Tina for the information! We currently are in a first-come-first-served Alaskan state campground. Payment is made at an on-site kiosk that only accepts credit and debit cards. After paying, one gets a receipt that is displayed at whatever campsite one has chosen. Last night 6 or 7 of the 12 sites were occupied. Have a great day and safe travels!