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Segways in the National Parks: Do We Really Need Them?

Aug 17th - 12:45pm | An individual w...

I'm observing more and more Cynicism, people who think with their subjective view is the right one makes me wonder if they think this planet and other lives on it are theirs to dictate. These parks are for all, not just the ones with the preconceived notion that what they think the parks are for. We need to quit trying to dictate what others should be doing.

Is It Time to Overhaul the National Park Service and the National Park System?

Aug 17th - 12:10pm | Michael Kellett

National parks are far from pristine, and the NPS has played a major role in facilitating their degradation.

Aug 17th - 00:35am | FrankC

"If [National Park Service units] had been managed by other public agencies, they would have been logged, roaded, grazed, mined, drilled, and open to ORVs."

Aug 16th - 16:54pm | Michael Kellett

"What would be the reaction if the National Park Service only oversaw "national parks," ie the 58 units that carry that distinction? What if some/most of the other 333 properties were spun off, some back to the states, some to NGOs, some to the National Trust for Historic Preservation?

Will Second Century Commission Succeed With Its National Parks Assessment and Recommendations?

Aug 17th - 11:56am | Ted Clayton

The challenge facing a Commission underwritten by the National Rifle Association to study the future of our Parks would be that the NRA is known to bring a specific & strong bias to the table.

What's the Solution For Cape Hatteras National Seashore?

Aug 17th - 11:39am | Tim Sacksteder

What country/state is CHNSS in ? The correct name is CHNSRA, and for those that are clueless the RA stand for RECREATION AREA,not reserve area. As far as the supposed endangered species there are none on CHNSRA. Both the plovers and turtles are threatened,not endangered.

Aug 17th - 11:07am | Ted Clayton

Anonymous (not verified), There is no question that lots of cars drive out onto the Cape beaches. There is also no question that some are offended that this long-standing practice takes place. I accept those two things, at face value.

Aug 17th - 01:36am | Anonymous

Having worked at Cape Hatteras NS as a ranger for many years I can identify the locations for readers in these two pictures. The top picture is Hatteras Island with Hatteras Village in the background. It was taken from South of Ramp 49 in an area that is open to ORV usage before it reaches a seasonal closed area in front of Frisco village during summer months.

Aug 16th - 21:24pm | Anonymous

Having seen, first hand, hundreds of cars parked at Cape Point in rows, I can attest to the validity of the photo you've called into question. It is no exaggeration and I have no doubt the photo has not been altered. Your suggestion of some devious manipulation is, itself, somewhat scurrilous.

Aug 16th - 17:42pm | Anonymous

why would people park there cars right on the edge of a beach?no common sense perhaps?

Aug 16th - 16:25pm | Ted Clayton

MRC, As I understand it, the main distortion-effect of a long telephoto lens is to shorten the apparent depth of field, and it happens uniformly all around the lens.

Aug 16th - 14:26pm | Anonymous

I completely agree that beach driving and wildlife protection can co-exist, but it's not a question of the environmental groups' willingness to negotiate. The ORV groups at Cape Hatteras are a crass bunch that has insisted on 24/7 access to all portions of the seashore. They will not permit pedestrian only areas or wildlife areas as have been proposed in the negotiated rulemaking.

Aug 16th - 06:09am | deepfisher

The other important point to remember is that this photo was taken (by earlier posted info) on a Memorial Day Weekend. OF COURSE the beaches are more crowded on any holiday weekend. The first picture is MUCH more like my experiences over the past 25 years of visiting CHNSRA 4 or 5 times a year. Thank you also for presenting a fair and balanced account of the problem.

Aug 16th - 01:46am | MRC

Ted, that is just the effect of a large telephoto lens. The second picture was made from a long distance away with a SLR camera and a long (300+, probably more) lens. Pictures with those lenses show a very narrow angle and that looks like it condenses space. But there is no doctoring, no deciet, just an optical law.

Aug 15th - 23:07pm | Ted Clayton

A couple important points stand out about the lower image at the top of the post. One, there is a fence on the sand a short way back from the surf-line, and all the vehicles are on the water side of the fence. There are no vehicle tracks in the sand inland from the fence. 'Out of control'? It would appear the vehicles are actually firmly controlled.

Visiting the Parks: Petroglyph National Monument

Aug 17th - 08:31am | Donna Hull

Thanks for introducing me to Petroglyph National Monument. I didn't know about this one. El Morro National Monument near Grants, NM is another area of petroplyphs and historical graffiti that is fun to explore.

Who Visits Alaska's National Parks?

Aug 16th - 22:23pm | Ted Clayton

I am saving & planning, to spend several months in Interior Alaska, to see whether it could work for me to move there. Possibly over this winter. In the past, I worked as a logger first on Kuiu Island then at Hobart Bay, in Southeast Alaska.

Climber Dies In Accident In Grand Teton National Park

Aug 16th - 18:34pm | fhasti

I wonder how those people drowned at Hoosier Dunes....were they wearing life vests? Was alcohol involved? Were they in an area they shouldn't have been? Fill us in anon. The adventurous souls who lost thier lives on the Grand no doubt were doing what they loved... a highly skilled activity.

Toyota's Donation to Yellowstone National Park: Corporate Greenwashing, or Good Partner?

Aug 16th - 16:48pm | Anonymous

A year from now few if any people will know or remember that this was a gift from Toyota. Most people will view it as another government vehicle. When I was at Hagerman Fossil Beds earlier this year they had two Toyota Prius's in the parking lot of the visitor center. I have no idea if they were bought by the government or were a gift from Toyota.

Aug 16th - 14:54pm | Ted Clayton

Jim Macdonald, You raise several important cautions about the current crop of 'creative' income-generators Parks are working out with corporations.

Aug 16th - 10:52am | Anonymous

Toyota has been making fuel efficient cars that are as reliable as cars come for since the "green" movement was in its infant stages. American car companies could learn a lot from Toyota and it shows as sales of all American cars keep slipping and Toyotas and Hondas increase. I recently was in the market for a used car and was looking for an Accord or Camry. They were few and far between.

Aug 16th - 10:43am | jsmacdonald

Thanks Kurt for raising the issue. I'm a little surprised by the comments - how much they've changed in the last year when the privatization of parks was a hot topic and almost anything that smacked of privatization was met with suspicion.

Aug 16th - 09:37am | Betty H

I see absolutely no problem with this. A eco-friendly vehicle in a National Park is fantastic ! Keep them coming.

Aug 16th - 01:55am | MRC

Take the money and run? No, take the money, send out a press release, thank Toyota in public and invite the media for a handover envent with photo op. Toyota is doing it right. The amount doesn't hurt them and their cars will be very visible in the most spectacular park. The park gets the funds for his education program and the means to get from here to there.

Aug 15th - 22:10pm | Ted Clayton

For a corporation to provide largess to a National Park isn't necessary green-washing, or "wonderful". For example, the 5 rigs that Toyota provided weren't Ford or another U.S. maker, they were Toyota, right? Of course. That's called "product placement".

Aug 15th - 21:15pm | hobblefoot

Don't just take the money & run. Take the money in the spirit it seems to be offered. After all, the Prius HAS been a major step in the right direction. If any car company doesn't deserve to be marginalized by claims of 'Greenmail", it's Toyota. How about Dodge, what have they done for the park lately? I also don't see how this let's Congress off the hook either.

Aug 15th - 20:15pm | Smoky Mtn Hiker

I say take the money and run. This is really no different, at least in my mind, of when John Rockefeller made a contribution of $5 Million that helped fund the purchase of lands that eventually became Great Smoky Mountains N.P. Several of the early eastern parks were made possible by philanthropic donations.

Aug 15th - 18:50pm | Marylander

With the economy sinking as fast as it is with no bright light at the end of the tunnel: Take the money and run. That's my opinion. $800,000 can go a long way towards doing something fabulous.

Saguaro National Park Officials Considering Use of Microchips To Slow Theft of Namesake Cactus

Aug 16th - 16:24pm | Barky

Geez, thieves will steal anything ... ================================================= My travels through the National Park System: americaincontext.com

MSNBC’s Top 10 National Park Lodges List Draws Curmudgeonly, but Gentle Criticism

Aug 15th - 21:14pm | FrankC

Lone Hiker is on to something, and that is the removal of the government/corporate relationship that exists in national park lodging. How much money could parks retain for soap and clean toilets in campgrounds if more than 2% of your $550 a night went to the park instead of large multinational corporations that have been granted a monopoly by a taxpayer funded government agency?

Aug 15th - 11:40am | Lepanto

Rangertoo is saying something we need to keep hearing over and over again: no fees !

Aug 15th - 10:58am | Rangertoo

Lone Hiker - the entire concept of entrance fees is unsupportable. The NPS gets less than $100 million from entrance fees from the 130 parks that charge them.

Aug 15th - 10:47am | Kurt Repanshek

About a year ago I looked into the issue of lodging (and even dining) rates in the national parks, as some certainly are eye-catching (and wallet-draining). There seem to be at least two factors that seem to be immutable:

Aug 15th - 10:14am | Kath

Lone Hiker, it's unclear what you are suggesting. Obviously the rates are high, but also obviously they are not too hgh because these lodges are usually booked up. The room rates are subject to the immutable laws of supply and demand.

Aug 15th - 08:24am | Ursula

Aug 14th - 21:48pm | Lone Hiker

Hi Kath-

Aug 14th - 18:08pm | Marylander

I am shocked that not one of the Yellowstone Lodges is on that list! However, Jenny Lake Lodge is my favorite lodge ever, National Park lodge or otherwise.

Aug 14th - 17:12pm | Kath

Lone Hiker, I read a biography of Stephen Mather. He, the first superintendent of the national parks, was the mover and shaker behind putting luxury lodgings in the parks. The thinking was that until the elite of Washington, D. C. and the east coast had what they considered to be a comfortable place to stay, they wouldn't support the expansion of the national parks system.

Aug 14th - 12:36pm | pkrnger

My favorite lodge in the Canadian Rockies is Num-Ti-Ja Lodge in Banff National Park. It is located on the shores of Bow Lake, just off the Icefields Parkway. This facility was personally designed and constructed by mountain man, adventurer, guide, and big-game hunter Jimmy Simpson. I highly recommend Room 13.

Aug 14th - 11:50am | Lone Hiker

10 lodges......average MINIMUM cost per room a scant $280.50 per night + tax, (as you'll see noted in the article, room rates begin at the base prices listed and most accommodations within the lodges are notably higher, especially if you require a "room with a view"), min/max for BASE rooms of $85/$550, and 85 bucks doesn't even get you a bathroom.

Considering a Hike up Half Dome?

Aug 15th - 11:08am | Anonymous

i have climbed up Half Dome and I am only 11 and also two of my other friends did it with me. We were told that if haven't done it before you should so we did. And the 3 of us were beginners and hiked 70 miles in 9 days and at the end of the trip we had the option to go up Half Dome and we did. It was that scary and it wasn't that hard but the view is worth it.

Seventy-Five Years Ago, the Reorganization of 1933 Impacted the National Park System Like No Other Event Before or Since

Aug 15th - 11:05am | Rangertoo

The 1933 Order also changed the name of the National Park Service to the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations. A name the employees detested until it reverted to its former name in 1935.

Aug 15th - 06:38am | biobot

Interesting article, especially in light of the comments regarding the establishment of the new commission. I wonder whether the big Western wilderness parks still 'dominate' and in what ways (i.e. budget, staff, visitors, etc.)? These articles on history and legislation offer lots to think about.

Cedar Breaks National Monument About to Turn 75

Aug 15th - 11:00am | Don Castleberry

Thanks for posting about the birthday. I hadn't remembered that. Of, perhaps some minor historic interest: I was NPS manager of CEBR 1967-1970. For those who haven't visited there, it's much like Bryce canyon, just smaller and much higher in elevation. My residence there was,as I recall, 10,350' in elevation. Some of the most prolific and beautiful wildflowers anywhere.

Congressman Calls for Emergency Declaration to Protect Grand Canyon National Park from Mining

Aug 15th - 00:46am | Ted Clayton

I agree with Sabattis.

Oglala Sioux Just Might Reclaim Southern Half of Badlands National Park

Aug 14th - 23:43pm | Ted Clayton

Bob Janiskee, A fine article on a challenging & historic topic. Here in the Pacific Northwest & Olympic Peninsula, the drama is a familiar one, and few any longer have much doubt of the long-range trend & outcome, viz the Native Tribes and the U.S. Government.

Federal Judge Refuses to Let County Cut Highways in Roadless Section of Death Valley National Park

Aug 14th - 17:46pm | Ted Clayton

Ted Z., Sorry - I did not mean to leave the impression that my aim was to defend Inyo County or weigh the merits of their claims. If Inyo is anything like my home Clallam County here on the Olympic Peninsula, they have approval ratings that make Congress feel well-loved! And they earned them! ;-)

Aug 14th - 12:46pm | Ted Z.

Mr. Clayton makes some correct observations, but I disagree on a few points.

Freak Rockfall Kills Colorado Couple At Glen Canyon NRA

Aug 14th - 12:59pm | Niece of the couple!

Forever in our Hearts they will be. Coming up on a year and still no sign of Uncle Don. Rest in peace! Love you and miss you both still.... We still can't believe you are gone. Thank the Lord, you both knew the Lord. See you in Heaven one day!!!

Traveler's Picks for Where to Get Wet in the National Park System

Aug 14th - 12:02pm | pkrnger

Of course there's the chance to get wet by wading or swimming in the deepest lake in the USA at Crater Lake National Park. Hike down the Cleetwood Trail to Cleetwood Cove and let your feet dangle off the boat docks, or better yet, go for a swim. Take a ranger-guided boat tour to Wizard Is.

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So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.