would you pay $41 to enter a National Park?

dahkota wrote:

Weeluvdis wrote:

Yep, several different employees at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park told us this. We decided to become "members" which basically gives them a donation that the Governement can't touch. $35 a year I believe. They said the Government takes ALOT of their money that is suppose to go to the parks. Remember less then a year ago the parks or some of them were closed, parks that us tax payers pay for.

Just an FYI, the GSMNP does not have entrance fees - the government cannot take the money if it doesn't exist. Chances are, you are a member of Friends of the Smokies or some similar organization. No, the government can't take their money, they are a non-profit. But, GSMNP doesn't get all of it either. Check their annual audit for what they spend on salaries, fund raising, etc. Of your $35, the park 'might' see $15. Better to drop it in a donation box in the park - then the park will actually get it.

Oh yes, I know there are no park entrance fee's. I have been there twice in the last year. I did also drop money in their donation box and I know that is just for them. The membership also helps them even if there is overhead. The money I am speaking of that the Government takes is the fund set up for the park that us tax payers pay. Just like many other funds, they take what they want and often don't pay it back. We got quite an education from a camp host in Cades Cove. I am not naïve and I believe everything he told us.