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National Park Road Trip 2011: Lodging on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

May 19th - 22:35pm | Ron and Lynda

I really enjoy articles about the inner workings of the national lodges.Where else would you learn about the inside story of the park concessions or the cycle of renovation?Being a detail person,I think these notes are great. We are also at that age when  information about close lodging parking is significant. Thanks for the unique information!

May 19th - 14:58pm | Clara

We camped a month ago at Mather Campground - $18 a night!  Loved it.  Ate lunches at El Tovar and Bright Angel, and further east at Desert Watchtower.  The trains from Williams bring hundreds of guests daily, allowing a very limited visit, but better than nothing - seems like a good option with the crowding situation.  Everyone should see this wonder at least once!

May 18th - 16:13pm | y_p_w

The El Tovar was also part of a scene in National Lampoon's Vacation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQJH5tZLGis

May 18th - 10:04am | AnonymousD

I love El Tovar and stayed there recently. It went through a lengthy, $3.5 million renovation in 2005, however, so I'm wondering about that part of the report.

May 18th - 07:53am | Ed123

Stayed at the El Tovar last December, and we were lucky to be bumped up to the Painters suite, room was just beautiful...great views  !

Updated: Unenviable List: Ozark National Scenic Riverways Ranked Among 10 Most Endangered Rivers

May 19th - 15:25pm | Sherry Ann

  Im concerned there wont be any Current river in a very few years for anyone to enjoy. The solution would have to be so drastic and complex that it probably will not happen.  The streams running into the current such as Big creek or Ashley and many more, are polluted by cattle in the creeks, as a result manure and fly spray are washing down. 

May 18th - 11:14am | Marty Koch

Studebaker, you are correct.  Congresswoman Emmerson has fought many a battle against the best interests of conservation.  She is from a very red district and is most likely secure in her position.  Lot's and lots of political pressure has come down on the NPS from federal, state and local governments.

May 18th - 07:30am | Studebaker

How about Congress woman Emerson? This river is in her district and she sits on the Interior committee that has oversight of NPS..Looks like she is part of the problem!

May 18th - 06:12am | Lone Hiker

ALL HAIL KING MERRYLAND!!! I'm right there with ya bud.  Simple brains tend to create the most complex problems mainly through ignornace.  And this was so easy to avoid it should make one ill to believe that a situation such as this could occur in a "sophiticated" society such as we purport to be.

May 18th - 00:45am | Marty Koch

This is my home turf.  I have spent hundreds of days on these two beautiful rivers.  I began with a ten day trip in the summer of 1970 and float it at least a half dozen times a year.  I am headed down again this Sunday for a trip.

May 17th - 20:05pm | Merryland

Admittedly I am not the king, but if I were I'd completely shut down horse and ATV access on all roads - paved or otherwise - until nature recovers on its own.  A nice 50-year hiatus oughta show people the consequences of knowlingly ignoring the rules.  Yes, knowlingly.  This notion of simply needing to "edumacate" the public is a joke.  They know what they are doing.

May 17th - 19:29pm | Lone Hiker

"National park management allows equestrian use on any unpaved roads and trails, and there are now more than 250 miles of horse trails and 80 places where horses cross the rivers in the park, which harm water quality with erosion and manure."

May 17th - 18:21pm | mlVan

Leonard Hall would be turning over in his grave if he knew this lovely river and country was being abused !!!!

May 17th - 17:07pm | Reality Check

Re: Ranger PaulLast major investment?  Didn't NPS receive a 700 Million windfall just year before last?  

May 17th - 15:57pm | Ranger Paul

I agree it seems that politicians tend to ignore the national parks. The last major investment in the national parks was mission 66 back in the 60s. 

May 17th - 13:14pm | Anonymous

What could one expect from the Bush Administration and republicans in office in MO. The Obama administration is just as bad. Obama has done little to correct decades of neglect in our National parks. By the way either has Congress.

May 17th - 12:09pm | Anonymous

FINALLY someone is noticing what's going on at Ozarks.  Conservation-minded folks who love the park (as well as NPS employees) have witnessed bad resource decisions for far too long .  Thoughtful planning and adherence to basic National Park Service guidelines for protection and preservation should have been the norm, but instead they have been very rare for nearly 10 years.  A philosophical (a

Reader Participation Day: Is It Appropriate For Artillery To Be Used to Control Avalanches In Yellowstone National Park?

May 19th - 14:43pm | Betty H

"Yellowstone is just as "special" as Glacier.  Their wonderful habitat should be protected as should the safety of the National Park Service and any services they employ.  In my opinion, these two matters totally justify outlawing the use of artillery in trying to control avalanches.

May 18th - 20:18pm | Ron Saunders

Kurt, You are a true instigator. Tell us what you think. Come on, lets have it. I like Chip I say let them mount a little cannon on the hood and have at it. (just kidding)

May 18th - 17:30pm | Anonymous

Yes if this road is to be opened at all in the near future, then avalanche control now is a good thing.  Otherwise, the wait to open it when all avalanche danger is over will be a long one.  Also, the snowmobilers/snowcoaches that enter from the East gate are bringing much needed financial benefits to the local economy.

May 18th - 14:08pm | Kurt Repanshek

But that was not inside the world's first national park, was it Chip?

May 18th - 14:00pm | Chip

Have you watched Ice Road Truckers on the History Channel?  In Alaska on the Dalton Highway they used artillery to control avalnaches.  This guy drove along and checked the snow, and if he thought there was an avalanche risk, he shut that part of the road down, got out the little canon and shot shells into the snow making it slide off the slope.  It was controlled.  They had equipment standing

May 18th - 10:15am | steveg

The limited amount of visitors may make their only visits during the winter. Some people enjoy that time of year. Most of the park is not accessable in winter and making this part available to users is prudent.

May 18th - 10:00am | AnonymousD

My question is, why is this being treated substantially different from other large parks: Yosemite and Grand Canyon? Yosemite closes the road to Tuolomne Meadows until the snow clears. Grand Canyon North Rim is closed every winter until the snow clears. In both cases, we're talking a May/June timeframe. So why is Yellowstone different? Close the road until the snow clears.

May 18th - 07:17am | Lee Dalton

Of course it's appropriate.  After all, isn't the most important NPS function keeping all the politicians, their special interests and financial supporters happy?

Warm Weather, Heavy Snowpack Leads To Avalanches Closing Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance

May 19th - 07:18am | Dan Dutton

Should be open soon.

Discounted Campsites On the Way in June to Mark 'National Great Outdoors Month'

May 18th - 23:03pm | jjj

The "affluent" folks typically aren't campers in any form. They "do" hotels and organized tours.

1,000-Foot-Fall Kills Italian Climber on Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park

May 18th - 20:01pm | Ron Saunders

Played with some high elevations a while back (not quite that high). Now, at 66, I remember why I like my toes in the sand, looking at the surf with a fishing pole in my hand. Probably doesn't make sense to some , but makes perfect sense to me.

What Do You Think About Sightseeing Tours Circling Mount Rainier National Park?

May 18th - 17:35pm | y_p_w

Jamie: While I agree that private individuals and corporations should not be making a buck from public lands, it would be a shame for less visitors to enjoy these sights each year!

May 18th - 16:40pm | Jamie

While I agree that private individuals and corporations should not be making a buck from public lands, it would be a shame for less visitors to enjoy these sights each year!

Looking For Lodging: the Blue Ridge Parkway

May 18th - 10:27am | Anonymous

We were on the parkway May 2010.  We are used to working with nonprofits so we gave everything a little slack.  No, the accomodations were not 5 star, as we judge things now.

Ruminating On Unexploded Ordnance, Climate Change, And Maintaining Winter Access To Yellowstone National Park

May 18th - 10:17am | urbanmountainman

GREAT article.  Preservation of sensitive habitat, safety, and politics we can all argue until we're blue in the face. But when you strip an argument down to the simple fact of:

May 16th - 17:51pm | RoadRanger

Concur with Bri. You have performed an outstanding service to Traveler readers by presenting some significant questions and information about NPS resource management issues. Thanks, Kurt. I'm looking forward to more well-written and "meaty" articles of this type.

May 16th - 08:28am | Bri

Great Article!! Very interesting facts. I can't wait to share it with my Fishing Bridge Staff.

American Rivers: Bridge Proposed for St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Imperils 'Wild and Scenic River'

May 18th - 07:20am | Lee Dalton

Michelle Bachman -- Tea Party darling. "Don't spend taxpayer dollars on anything other than my pet projects."

May 17th - 19:20pm | Lone Hiker

If this is about replacing the existing I-94 thoroughfare then I might be persuaded to alter my view but if this is just another river crossing up or downstream from the highway bridge then crap-can the idea now before we waste any more taxpayer dollars.  The populace in this area isn't sufficient to warrant additional crossings.

May 17th - 19:01pm | NTW

I really enjoy your blogging and reading all of these informative posts. Why would they over-rule the national park? Not a good precedent.

Traveler's Checklist: Zion National Park

May 18th - 06:06am | Lone Hiker

Dinner on the fly, as it were.

May 18th - 06:04am | Anonymous

Dinner on the fly, as it were.

May 17th - 22:26pm | y_p_w

Don't forget the wild turkeys.

May 17th - 19:07pm | Lone Hiker

The hike to Angel's Landing seems to have developed a bad rap during the past few years and most undeservedly so.  But for those who just can't stand the thought of exposed, unguarded heights, do yourself a huge favor and take the trail to Observation Point.

May 16th - 22:04pm | Lee Dalton

Watchman campground has electric hookups in all sites.  Ideal for powering A/C in a camp trailer without the need of a noisy generator.  Reservations are a must in summer, but apparently can be made perhaps a day prior in some cases.

May 16th - 15:15pm | Jim Linnane

There are a lot of nice places to stay in Springdale and there is a free shuttle bus that takes one through the town, stopping every few blocks, right up to the park entrance. Get off the Springdale shuttle, walk across the bridge, and you are in the park's visitor center.

May 16th - 10:06am | Owen Hoffman

Kurt, a "must do" adventure during a visit to Zion National Park is the 1 mile hike to the top of the Great Arch of Zion along the Canyon Overlook Trail to observe the rapidly changing colors and moods of Zion Canyon before sunrise.  This hike is especially memorable when there's a full moon out, as the moon sets over the Temples of Towers of the Virgin as the sun rises in the east. 

Mt. McKinley Climbing Accident In Denali National Park Leaves One Dead, Another Rescued At 19,500 Feet

May 17th - 13:07pm | Anonymous

Because they wanted to climb.

Summering at Cape Lookout National Seashore: The Logistics

May 17th - 11:20am | Bill

Anybody got any photos inside the cabins?  We're thinking about staying there.

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

May 16th - 15:49pm | Hopefull...

Re: Clayton I'd say the most amazing safety record for any National Park is the 104 year record of NO deaths related to the Iconic Grand Canyon Mule Rides into the inner Canyon yet they reduced the rides by 75%. Like so many here, my condolences to the family for their loss.

May 16th - 11:52am | Jay K

My wife and I just returned from Zion and we both hiked Angel's Landing. I always thought that I was comfortable with heights but this hike scared the heck out of me. There are consistently points throughout the final 1/2 mile or so where the slightest misstep or loss of balance will result in launching off.

The Case of the Indian Trader: Billy Malone And the National Park Service Investigation At Hubbell Trading Post

May 16th - 11:21am | Hank Blair

Wonderfull Navajo Rug Auction at the Hubbell National Historic Site. Over 190 Thousand dollars paid out to Native Artists and Weavers by the Friends of Hubbell. Park Service and WNPA would not let the Billy Malone book be sold at the auction.

National Park Road Trip 2011: Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Thunderbird Lodge

May 16th - 10:35am | Linda

The hike down to the White House is easy and fun. I've taken a tour into the canyon from Thunderbird Lodge, but I have to say I preferred the hike. You get a much better appreciation of the canyon with this up-close experience.

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