>There's like a weird need for there to be a gate with a ranger taking entrance fees and such, for someone in the US to want to see and experience a place.

Or is the exact opposite true?

Perhaps the United States Government does a poor job of promoting their most breathtaking parks, and only creates parking lots and ticket takers once there is the financial incentive to do so (because the general public decides they want to amass there for any particular reason)?