I worked as a Fee Collection Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) for two summers. Entrance fee was $20 (now $25) good for seven days per private car load. If you planned to camp in the Back Country there is a separate per person BC fee.
By an act of congress when GSMNP was created entrance will never be allowed. (What Congress giveth, congress can taketh away.)
I now have the Geezer pass, which covers entrance fees, and half off camping, but is worthless for the BC fees.
Personally, I have no problem with the fee itself, but think that it may cost more to administer than it collects! If 2,000 thru-hikers enter the park, that’s $40,000. You can’t do much for that! And, two less permits per shelter cuts into the weekender fees collected! But I guess this is done all in the name of fairness!
H
Two Stix