Cash is king unless you’re trying to pay for the entrance fee into Shenandoah National Park.
Starting next week, the park will transition to a cashless fee system, accepting only mobile or electronic payments for entrance and campground fees. Additionally, visitors can use www.recreation.gov to pay for entrance, campground and permitting fees in advance of a park trip.
Bookstores and concession facilities including gift shops, lodging, waysides and restaurants will continue to accept cash.
Park officials state moving to a cashless system will reduce the amount of time park staff spends accounting for cash while also improving accountability, reducing risk and increasing the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services. Eighty percent of fees paid to enter in the park or stay in a park campground benefit projects that enhance visitor experience.
The fee to enter Shenandoah National Park is $30 for private vehicles, $25 for motorcycles and $15 for persons on foot. The entry fee is good for seven days. Annual passes are $55. There are several fee free days each year. Three remain for 2025–Aug. 4, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act; Sept. 27, National Public Lands Day; and Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Those wishing to hike Old Rag Mountain can purchase one-day use tickets, in addition to a park entrance pass, on recreation.gov. The tickets are required from March 1 through Nov. 30 and cost $2. They can be reserved up to 30 days in advance.
