On top of all the deceit on the part of NPS enacting this fee, there is the question of how really is this benefiting the park? NPS has stated that no additional revenue will be generated b/c of this fee. The 2 rangers they speak of are already funded by Friends of the GSMNP. 100% of this revenue goes to the reservation system per NPS. The old reservation system was fine with the the vast majority of backpackers. Public comments were 20-1 against the fee.

As some have already stated here this is simply a test run to pave way for a bevy of fees to come. Backpackers are the easiest target and smallest group, thus we are the first.

If the revenue was used to maintain/improve trails and campsites you'd likely get more backpacker support for the fee. Instead NPS spends money repaving perfectly good roads and parking lots.