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National Park Mystery Photo 35: Big Gear Turning

Apr 27th - 18:34pm | Kurt Repanshek

Nope, not Pipe Spring.

Apr 27th - 18:30pm | Rick Smith

Pipe Spring NM?

Apr 27th - 14:08pm | Kurt Repanshek

No, not Rock Creek Park.

Apr 27th - 14:04pm | Eric

Looks like it could be part of a mill works? How about Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park?

Apr 27th - 13:28pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ahhhhh, no.

Apr 27th - 13:21pm | Jon Sparks

I'm going with the canal locks at Cuyahoga National Parks.

Apr 27th - 12:23pm | Kurt Repanshek

Not Allegheny-Portage, nor Harpers Ferry.

Apr 27th - 11:58am | Ryan

Harpers ferry?

Apr 27th - 10:51am | Rick Smith

Allegheny-Portage NHS?

Apr 27th - 10:09am | Kurt Repanshek

No, not in either of those parks Rob.

Apr 27th - 10:05am | Rob Wilson

Great Smokey Mountain National Park...or Shenandoah NP

Driver Survives Plunge Off South Rim At Grand Canyon National Park

Apr 27th - 13:59pm | Brad

Any wagers on texting while driving?

Apr 27th - 10:38am | Anonymously-Yours

Accidentally!!? How does one do something so bird brained? Are they sure it wasn't an unsuccessful suicide (which would even be more bird brained!)?

Reader Participation Day: What Do You Want To Read About National Parks?

Apr 27th - 11:44am | rdm24

I'd like to read more about community- and government-led efforts to designate new national parks. As a Californian, I'm particularly interested in hearing about the areas Senator Feinstein wants to designate in the Mojave Desert. Even if these areas never become part of the Parks department, I'd still like to hear about the areas people want to designate, and why.

Apr 27th - 09:47am | David Crowl

Kurt,

Apr 27th - 09:35am | Anonymous

Spot news is probably my favorite, also, but I always check on travel experiences since I would like to know what to expect and hear what others have experienced in the parks.  When you visit a park for the first time you can be overwhelmed with choices and it's nice to know what others find interesting or entertaining.  I enjoy the pieces on the lodges, on hikes, etc.  With budget cuts, we do

Apr 27th - 08:58am | Bob

I'd say Features are the best.   The Puzzles don't do anything for me, though they clearly have a big group of fans.  Gear reviews can be found on many other sites, NPT probably doesn't have an advantage there.  The other categories are all good: I'd probably rank them: spot news, book reviews, then travel.

Apr 27th - 06:42am | RodF

I'd like to learn more about how climate change may affect our National Parks in this 21st century, and what mitigation and adaptation strategies might be appropriate.

Scrimshaw Artworks Stolen From Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center

Apr 27th - 11:13am | Jack

Native hunting rights of maritime animals such as whales, seals, walrus, etc. are a vital part of our native American culture and will be sustained. Shoot it, eat it, wear it and scrimshaw it. Good hunting!

Road Trip 2011: The National Park Lodges

Apr 27th - 11:01am | Phyllis

Looking forward to some vicarious travel this summer.

Apr 27th - 07:35am | Becky & Pete

Have a GREAT trip and be safe!! 

Interior Department Issues Report That Looks At Climate-Change Impacts On Western River Basins

Apr 27th - 07:35am | ecbuck

Pure speculation.  Probably just as accurate as the 1970's  predictions of a mini ice-age. I'll predict that overdevelopment will suck more water out of these river basins than "climate change" - and over development is something we can do something about - but won't.

Apr 26th - 13:36pm | samsdad1

http://www.discerningtoday.org/problem_esa_full.htm

How Stable Is The Future Of Isle Royale National Park's Wolf Population?

Apr 26th - 22:02pm | Anonymous

If the wolves are wiped out this should become a study of hunters and moose..... no more wolves on the island!

Apr 26th - 16:36pm | justinh

I hope Isle Royale NP can be re-imagined, in part, as a kind of wolf refuge (since humans have extirpated them almost everywhere else in the lower 48).  When I was there last June, I didn't see the wolves, but twice I encountered and photographed fresh wolf tracks--must've just missed them.  It was great.

War And Consequences: The American Indian Movement Vs. The National Park Service At Fort Laramie

Apr 26th - 21:03pm | Ben Moffett

A most interesting story, Richard, followed by a series of valuable comments. It's amazing the interesting things that can happen on one's first assignment.

Apr 26th - 13:13pm | Robert M. Utley

[color=#1f497d] [/color][color=#1f497d]Several comments:   [/color]

Apr 25th - 22:17pm | Anonymous

Enjoyed the article very much.  Preservation of historic structures certainly gives visitors a sense of place.  Interpretation is about seeing the bigger picture in context.  There's a balance needed and always room for improvement.  Not having visited Fort Laramie, this is the theme I find most intriguing:

Apr 25th - 16:50pm | Anonymous

As an avid visitor to NPS-managed forts and related historical sites, I am often miffed by what I perceive as narrowly-construed interpretation at most of the western forts.  Fort Larned (in west-central Kansas, founded in 1859) comes to mind, where an inordinate focus seems to be on the day-to-day details of military life, uniforms, cannon types, building construction details, and so forth - w

Apr 25th - 15:55pm | Mellody

We should not be little what the park service or the park managers have done in the past with regards to Ft. Laramie. They gave a history of the west that was prevalent at the time, and what people wanted to see. Growing up I knew little of the Sioux Wars, not till I came west did I understand the importance of these wars.

Apr 25th - 15:34pm | S. Kane

First thing; this piece strikes me as nit picking. The facilities at the fort are great and go along way to bringing history alive for the lay public and inspiring the western military enthusiast.

Distilling The Facts About Securing The Southwestern Border With Mexico Can Be Tricky

Apr 26th - 19:43pm | Rick Smith

imtnbike points out a few ironies in border management, but there are others.  Consider the billions upon billions of dollars we have spent on drug enforcement in the US, and yet it is the continuing demand for drugs in the US that makes the drug cartels in Mexico so prosperous and makes our border areas, in and outside our protected areas, so dangerous.  Also, the income disparity between the

Apr 26th - 16:45pm | imtnbke

I see this has turned into a general debate about United States immigration law and policy. I'd like to get back to some specifics about public lands on the border.

Apr 26th - 08:33am | Tom Vaughan

Rep. Bishop and all others in Congress should be focusing on comprehensive immigration reform, not using this 800-pound gorilla as a device to accomplish other goals without directly addressing it. In the process, they continue to inflame, polarize and confound the issue, making it a third rail that no politician has the guts to address.

Apr 25th - 20:05pm | Reality Check

Sorry Rick, a lot more reality in what Brittanicus brings to the conversation than what this admin. is pushing.  The last four Presidential elections (and mid-term candidates) I've ask myself of each candidate what "WOULDN'T" each candidate do to get what "he" wants (at the expense of the country).

Apr 25th - 19:52pm | Reality Check

I hear you Random Walker, lol! If you want to continue the trend we're ALL screwed in more ways than we can imagine!

Apr 25th - 19:15pm | Rick Smith

Brittanicus--You should immediately move to Arizona and get yourself elected to the state legislature.   They sure need more members who think like you do.

Apr 25th - 18:53pm | Random Walker

Dear White People, Don't you just hate immigrants? Sincerely, Native Americans

Apr 25th - 16:17pm | Brittanicus

THE LIES ABOUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Apr 25th - 15:20pm | Reality Check

Well Rick, we could go back and forth in debate mode but there is a reality here, lol.   This arena that many of these politicians live in is all about controlling the message and winning the big con job.  I lived (married) with a very liberal, Democratic Student Union President AND champion debater.

Help Yellowstone National Park's Wildlife By "Adopting" A Wolf For Mother's Day

Apr 26th - 17:50pm | Anonymous

Is this available to everyone, or just those of us who were raised by wolves? Kidding, good idea, I'm in.

Apr 26th - 06:54am | samsdad1

I think buying her a star is more in order

War And Consequences: The American Indian Movement Vs. The National Park Service At Fort Laramie, Part II

Apr 26th - 16:05pm | Robert M. Utley

Not much to add to what I posted for Part I. Sellars recites the story of the northern Plains wars and the policy and politics underlying them. I don't challenge any of the story, but it's a big one and can't be readily compressed into an interpretive program. Nonetheless, like Little Bighorn, interpretation should be broadened to tell more of the Indian story.

Apr 26th - 14:29pm | MG

Bill Gwaltney, park superintendent, should be commended for his efforts! I HATE politics!! The history and events of the past will never change, Those who forget the past are condemmed to repeat them. It's too bad whitie took over all that wonderful country and screwed it... and all in 160+ years.

Apr 26th - 12:05pm | Interpreter

The catch phrase used to be "education": "Educate" the public and they'll understand that their current assumptions, behavior, (insert your term) ---are in error and modify accordingly.

Apr 26th - 10:13am | Concerned Taxpayer

I foind it absolutly disgusting how the US has, and continues, to treat Native Indians.  They were here first and we treat them with less dignity than we do illegal aliens from Central America.  We need to understand these Native Americans deserve more help in gaining an economic livlihood and less govn't handouts.  This is a disgrace!

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

Apr 26th - 11:43am | Gene Bowker

Sad to hear this. One of my favorite "must stops" when traveling that part of the Parkway. Hopefully it reopens next year.

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Apr 26th - 11:40am | Anonymous

Having hiked Angels landing before, it makes me feel very good to know that there are actually still hikes out there that the state or government has not regulated to the fullest and "Most safe" according to their saftey handbooks.  Yes this was a tragic tragic event, and I feel deeply for the victim and her family, but to have such a beautiful and challenging hike/climb like angels landing clo

Park Trips: Paddling Into Yellowstone National Park

Apr 26th - 03:48am | Wil

I did this trip in 1997 with some friends when I was working in the park during my college years. We borrowed two Coleman canoes and headed up the river. Best trip I ever took while there except a float trip up the Smith river. We packed in tons of food and gear. It was just great. In the morning I would paddle out on the lake past the drop off and cast into the abyss.

Traveler's Checklist: Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Apr 25th - 21:16pm | Linda

The restaurant is closed.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

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.