Three Americans File Lawsuit Against National Park Service Over Cash Payment Policy

A lawsuit has been filed against the National Park Service (NPS) by three individuals from California, New York, and Georgia, alleging that the agency’s refusal to accept cash payments for entry into parks across the United States violates federal law. Filed earlier this month in federal court in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit contends that the NPS’s policy infringes upon the legal tender status of coins and currency.

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National Park Service

According to the complaint obtained by USA TODAY, Esther van der Werf from Ojai, California, Toby Stover from High Falls, New York, and Elizabeth Dasburg from Darien, Georgia, are among those challenging the NPS’s cashless entry policy. They argue that the inability to use cash to enter various parks, monuments, and historic sites across the country constitutes a breach of federal law.

The plaintiffs point out that 29 locations nationwide, including Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tonto National Monument in Arizona, Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site in New York, and Fort Pulaski National Historic Site in Georgia, do not accept cash payments for entry. When attempting to enter these sites, the plaintiffs were reportedly denied access due to their inability to pay digitally.

In response to inquiries about alternative payment methods, such as cash, Elizabeth Dasburg was allegedly advised by Fort Pulaski National Historic Site to purchase a gift card from a grocery store or Walmart, which could be used in lieu of cash. Similar experiences were recounted by Stover and van der Werf, who were also denied entry for failing to pay digitally.

The NPS implemented its cashless policy in May 2023, citing the diminishing availability of banks willing to handle cash deposits and the logistical challenges of processing and transporting cash. Justin Unger, NPS associate director for Business Services, explained that the move to cashless transactions also aimed to streamline operations and enhance visitor experience.

While acknowledging the benefits of going cashless, the plaintiffs argue that the NPS’s disregard for federal law cannot be justified by purported operational efficiencies. They assert that millions of Americans without bank accounts are effectively excluded from accessing national parks under the cashless policy.

The lawsuit seeks the restoration of cash payment options for visitors at NPS sites across the country. Ray Flores, the plaintiffs’ attorney, emphasized that his clients are advocating for their right to use American currency for park entry and are not seeking monetary damages. The National Park Service has until May 16 to respond to the lawsuit, according to Flores.