https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvis...e-proposal.htm
Public comment period April 6 - May 7. Scroll to bottom of page and click on "COMMENT NOW" button.
Some highlights:
Increases and standardization of frontcountry camping fees (most going from $25 to $30)
Doubling of backcountry camping fee ($4/person increasing to $8/person)
Brand new fee for parking (and elimination of all unofficial roadside parking):"The Smokies Parking Tag would be available for purchase both online and onsite. The park asks the public to provide input on the price and duration of the parking tag. In addition to public input, the park has assessed parking fees in gateway communities and found that the average daily rate is $15, and the average monthly rate is $67.50. In National Park sites where parking fees are charged, the average rate is $9 per day and $50 per year. The park is proposing a daily parking tag for $5, a parking tag for up to seven days for $15 and an annual parking tag for $40."
My comments:
Backcountry fee should be changed to a per tent fee, instead of a per person fee. Or have it both ways, and pay whichever one is less.
What happens when I pay for a backcountry site, get to the trailhead, and there's no empty "official" parking space?