For both international visitors and domestic travelers alike, US National Parks are incredibly popular summertime tourist destinations. The diverse natural wonder of the United States is on full display at hundreds of parks and monuments in every state, from coast to coast. After all, attractions like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone simply can’t be missed.

And while some national parks are free to enter, many charge some kind of fee either for entrance, camping, or other activities. Some even require you to make reservations ahead of time. 

This year, many US National Parks are also no longer accepting cash payment. The reason? Cost. Accepting cash in remote national park locations means paying staff to handle it, and paying for armored cars to come and transport it away securely. The National Park Service estimates that some of the most popular national parks can save upwards of $40,000 annually by pivoting away from cash. 

Not all national parks are making the switch. However, it is expected that more will continue to go cashless over time. For now, make sure you have a valid credit/debit card or mobile payment setup to pay associated fees at the following US National Parks and Historical Sites.

US National Parks That Do Not Accept Cash Payment

• Badlands National Park
• Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park
• Crater Lake National Park
• Cumberland Island National Seashore
• Death Valley National Park (starting June 1, 2023)
• Devils Tower National Monument
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (starting May 26, 2023)
• Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Isle Royale National Park
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
• Mount Rainier National Park
• Pipe Spring National Monument
• Prince William Forest Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Thomas Edison National Historical Park
• Vicksburg National Military Park
• Wind Cave National Park
• Wright Brothers National Memorial

Save with National Park Travel Insurance

Regardless of whether or not you can pay with cash or card to visit your national park of choice on your upcoming trip, it’s a good idea to prepare for other unexpected expenses by purchasing the right travel insurance.

If you or a family member are visiting the United States from another country, invest in visitors medical insurance. The cost of healthcare in the US is extremely high, and the domestic health insurance from the visitor’s home country won’t be accepted or sufficient if they get sick or injured. The best solution is visitors medical insurance. With this coverage, you can get necessary medical care in the USA for a predictable price. 

Those planning to participate in adventure sports like whitewater rafting or rock climbing during their national park vacation should look into hazardous sports travel insurance. Standard travel insurance plans may not cover you for adventurous activities, so it’s critical to have the right coverage for the activities you’ll pursue.

The important thing is to do your research ahead of time. Find out what type of payment your destination national park accepts, and buy the right travel insurance to cover you for any situation you might encounter on your trip.