If these people want to take their families and enjoy these amenities, they should be willing to pay for them. Like any other "free" good, a zero price almost always means they are over-consumed. In this case, over consumption means they become crowded. If they want them to be less crowded, charge an entry fee. And please...don't give me the "but-the-poor-people-can't-use-it-then" argument. Sorry, but that's one of the prices the poor have to endure because they didn't (or are unwilling to) invest in themselves. When the framers of the Constitution wrote "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", I don't recall them also writing that the poor get a free ride on the coattails of those who do work.
Personally, I'm tired of the whole idea of redistribution of any benefits from the productive members of society to the unproductive members. While there are notable exceptions (e.g., the handicapped), they are a damn sight fewer than the current list of freeloaders. Finally, if I have to take a drug test as part of my employment requirements, why don't those who get my tax money have to take a drug test to qualify for my tax money?
I guess I'm just pi$$ed off because I see all of the political candidates, Dimocrat or Republican, making promises to spend more and more of my money without a plan for how they're going to pay for it. More gov't...less freedom. Hint to politicians: I know how to spend my money better than you do!
(okay...I'm getting down from my soapbox...)
With these public areas now closed to the public, then the beaurocrazies can keep these areas open to themselves.
They can build a fence, lock the gate with the combo number held by themselves...the cabins, etc. then are reserved for themselves without the taxpayers noticing.
I agree with one part of your argument, about having a rational price for the product, such as camping facilities, etc. However, the other piece is, rational prices can only happen in the free market. Otherwise, the government is just setting an arbitrary price (probably influenced by free market price benchmarks). The solution is for the government to sell all the land to the private sector. And except for a few libertarians, I don’t think most Americans would be happy about that.
Government-run programs are all about restrictions, shortages, limits, and coercion. By nature.
We pay taxes and the promise that came with those taxes is that we would have recreational opportunity within those “Public” National Parks.
There are already many fees associated with park users. That is in addition to the “taxes” we pay to support the National Park System.
Limiting access to areas is not reasonable if people are willing to venture off the beaten path. The Park is “Public”. There should be no reasonable explanation for limiting access to remote areas if the primary area is congested.
Obviously you have not stayed at a Park Campsite or you would know there are considerable user fees associated with the noisy, congested campsites. The reason for camping is to get away and get involved in nature. Not bring the rat race with you.