In 1997, the NPS was ordered to start charging fees to spread the cost of managing parks among those who use them. Visitors to Olympic National Park were most surprised, because there were few fees there, until then.
Fees make sense, because the cost of just protecting wilderness would be considerably less without maintaining trails, cleaning restrooms, paving roads, buying those handsome uniforms, and so on. Those of us who use these areas derive a greater benefit from, and place a larger burden on, park resources than the already-overtaxed general public. Fees generate a lot of revenue. (If you object, be sure to ask why only 80% of the fees collected at a park will be spent directly on behalf of that park.)
Here are the Fee Facts as I understand them today:
Reservations are required for all overnight camping along the Ozette Coast, which includes the coast from 1/2 mile north of the Ozette River south to and including Yellow Banks. Reservations are optional, but encouraged, for Grand Valley, Flapjack Lakes and Lake Constance. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance--click the button at left for a phone number to call.