The personnel of the NPS are largely environmentalists that don’t want any people anywhere in ‘their’ parks.
I know some of them. That is their attitude. It’s THEIR PARK, not yours. You are an intruder. If it was up to them they would lock the gates and not allow anybody in at all................
Went to Alaska and tried to visit Mt. McKinley. At 15 miles away, one can travel no further unless you pay for and board a bus. We didn’t go. The money wasn’t the issue. Driving to Mr. McKinley is a waste of your day. View it from somewhere else and call it a day.