| Page 1189 | National Parks Traveler

When I visited Canyonlands we stayed in Moab where there are more than sufficient lodging accomodations. Part of the reason we wanted to visit Canyonlands is that it doesn't have the the huge visitation numbers that places like Great Smoky Mtns has. Putting a lodge in the middle of Canyonlands might draw more visitors - might not. But it will definitely take away from the beauty of the park.

Oct 4th - 07:57am | Bob Janiskee

Becky, even though lots of people think of tents and RVs as "lodging," they do not qualify as such -- at least, not in the conventional sense of the term. I admit that the distinction is badly blurred in some instances. Tents can be floored, equipped with beds, and made pretty darn comfortable (as in "glamping"), and many RVs are downright luxurious and can be used as year round residences.

Oct 4th - 07:43am | Becky

Get a grip - have you ever visited a national park? There are plenty of visitors - actually almost too many in many situations. There is amplelodging in our national parks - they are called tents in phenomenal campground sites!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep your ideas to yourself about Glacier National Park. Nothing should be done to disrupt Mother Nature at its best!

Oct 4th - 07:28am | Bob Janiskee

Great Smoky does have the LeConte Lodge, MRC, so you can't quite say "no lodging at all." Thinking of the LeConte as available lodging is a bit of a stretch, though. It's situated at 6,593 ft.(making it the highest guest lodge in the eastern U.S.) and is so remote that it is reachable only by a 5-mile hike or horseback ride. They use llamas to haul in supplies.

Oct 4th - 07:21am | Anonymous

Come on, MRC...there are enough hotels directly adjacent to GRSM to house the citizens of a small country. What about parks like Great Basin or Ozark Riverways, that don't have large gateway towns a la Gatlinburg nor grand in-park hotels a la Yosemite? And there is in-park lodging at GRSM, atop Mt. LeConte.

Oct 4th - 07:07am | MRC

It would be nice if this lobbying expert could point me to the drag on visitation in GSM NP, the single most visited National Park despite no lodging at all. That's almost all you have to answer on the issue.

Winners of National Natural Landmarks Photo Contest Announced

Oct 4th - 08:39am | John P

Jim, I saw your 4/09/2009 article (at /2009/04/think-you-have-knack-photography-heres-chance-show-your-stuff) and I subsequently started entering this photo contest (I am the winner of the 2010 contest referenced above), so I owe you a debt of gratitude for publicizing this in the first instance. Thanks, John H. Pilarski

Stargazing Scheduled for Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Rainier National Parks This Weekend

Oct 4th - 08:34am | pkrnger

We set a record at Cades Cover this weekend. 829 park visitors were curious enough to stay out after dark and walk onto the meadow where 12 telescope stations composed of refractors, motorized and hand drivien reflectors, and large astronomical binoculars were set up to show various objects of the night sky.

Dark Skies in National Parks Make It Easy to Spot the Space Station: Here's How to Look for It

Oct 4th - 06:56am | Bob Janiskee

You're welcome, SS1.

Oct 4th - 06:13am | SS1

Thanks Bob, I'll be in Cape Hatteras National Seashore then and hope it is a clear morning at Cape Point. SS1

New Director in National Park Service's Intermountain Region Looking Forward to Challenges

Oct 3rd - 23:40pm | Anonymous

In this era of fiscal uncertainty, we are fortunate in the IMR to have a leader in John Wessels that is cognizant of the budget process and supports the effective and strategic management of the funding IMR receives. John will set a positive tone for the region and seek input and perspective from many.

Oct 1st - 17:54pm | Anonymous

We're waiting John - let's see some leadership and a clean break from the past, a past that you were very much a part of. You, perhaps more than anyone other than Mike Snyder, were the champion and architect of Core Operations. Many of the parks have yet to recover from that era, please lead us into a new and revitalized Intermountain Region.

Commentary: How Do You Prefer National Parks, Utilitarian, or Utopian?

Oct 3rd - 20:30pm | Sabattis

I think its important to remember the "motto" of the National Park Service, as inscribed on the Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." Inherit to the concept of a National Park should be the benefit and enjoyment that comes through visitation to the Parks.

Hiking Victim in Grand Canyon National Park Apparently Died From Heat

Oct 3rd - 16:14pm | Anonymous

I concur. Those on the trip DO NOT have to speculate "what if". There are many mysteries in life and we do not know God's plan. Our prayers are with Gavin's family and the four friends.

Oct 2nd - 17:51pm | Anonymous

what an idiotic statement to play the "what ifs". gavin was a good friend of mine and this has been an incredibly horrible time right now, but those on the trip DO NOT have to carry the burden of "what ifs". His wife melissa, son gavin, and the whole family need our prayers. not speculations

Oct 2nd - 09:39am | Sandpiper59

My prayers go out to his family and friends. What a tragic loss of a young man. There may have been other medical complications not apparent and while it might not have changed the outcome, if the party had not separated or at least someone had returned with him, those who started the day hiking with him wouldn't always have to wonder - what if? I am so sorry for all of them.

At Biscayne National Park, Proposed Boat Anchoring Restrictions Trigger Protests and Send Management Back to the Drawing Board

Oct 3rd - 09:56am | Eloy Fernandez

As an experienced and responsible boat owner, I completely understand the need to regulate boating in Biscayne bay, I will also like to add that I have been visiting sands key on weekends since 1994 when I purchased my first boat and both of my kids now age 23 and 24 learned how to enjoyed and appreciated nature while protecting the environment,

"Upper Lot" At Ridge Trailhead on Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park To Be Permanently Closed

Oct 2nd - 18:47pm | Anonymous

I live on Nethers Road. Unfair for us locals who just want to squeeze in a nightly or weekday walk and would like the convenience to park in the upper lot!!!

Sky-High Ginseng Prices Boost Illegal Harvest in Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 2nd - 14:55pm | Anonymous

I have been gathering wild Ginseng roots for 30+ years from 4 states and will tell you that in 1980-1993 I was digging between 100-200 wet pounds of Ginseng per year. I have dug many virgin patches of 30-40 pounds on many a hillside, and one hillside yielded over 100 lbs.alone, but those days are long gone. I will now tromp my ass off and very lucky to find 3-6 wet pounds per day.

Planning For Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park Takes to The Road on October 9

Oct 2nd - 10:52am | Paul While

The winter is the major factor on Tioga Pass Rd. It could be wider but I am not sure that widening will help. An alternate path to Olmsted Point would help e.g. road from directly from the Valley would alleviate the congestion in the Valley Paul

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Oct 1st - 23:00pm | Anonymous

One could use a gun to scare off the animal just as easily as kill it outright. After they do an autopsy on the animal they will know whether it was starving, wounded, recently pregnant or was protecting a kill site. In other words, they're going to figure out whether this person went up and blew away a healthy bear for fun or not.

Search For Hiker in Joshua Tree National Park Has A Happy Ending

Oct 1st - 20:27pm | Lee Dalton

Wonderful news. But a small hiking GPS is an inexpensive tool vital for anyone hiking. Easy to learn to use, too. (Just be sure you understand the difference between an automobile GPS and one intended for hiking off road.)

Oct 1st - 19:33pm | Anonymous

Just an FYI for "Anonymous" who comes from an experienced family of woods people. It's hard to understand until you've been here. (I've lived in Joshua Tree for over 30 years - Originally from the Pacific Northwest) We get approximately 6 inches of rain annually; so there is no water to wait by once you are beyond civilization. You bring your own.

Oct 1st - 16:06pm | Anonymous

For someone supposedly experienced he was not too bright. First he should have been better prepared. Coming from an experienced family of woods people the minute he found himself lost he should have taken a radius and tried to find come sort location marker. The he should have tried to find some water, made some shelter and STAYED PUT.

Oct 1st - 13:52pm | tomp

This was in InsideNPS today, along with "Ailing hiker rescued from Panamints", "Hiker's body recovered from remote are of [Grand Canyon]", and "Suicide victim found in pecan grove area" (Jean Lafitte NHP&P). It's a good day when half of the incidents have happy endings. I have a lot of respect for the rangers and others in the parks having to deal with these almost every day.

Oct 1st - 07:54am | Anonymous

I fell his pain. My sister and I were out at Joshua tree in Feb and wandered around looking for a specific rock formation that meant a lot to our Grandmother and got lost while searching. I had a photo of the formation in my hand so walked all around many formations looking for the one in the photo and before I knew it I couldn't see or hear anybody and went into a panic.

Sep 30th - 23:36pm | Arlene Garelick

I am ecstatic that Ed Rosenthal has been found safe and sound. God has so greatly blessed him and his family. May the search and rescue team forever be as blessed. Thank you very much for your hard work and perseverance.

Sep 30th - 20:39pm | Travis Puglisi

I saw your piece on the hiker found in Joshua Tree this morning. I happen to live very near that area and heard the helicopter going over head this morning. That is very good news.

With National Parks As the Draw, Luxury Railroad Plans 2011 Debut

Oct 1st - 20:19pm | Jon Merryman

Europeans will flock to this thing. Awesome idea. Me, I'll be visiting on the cheap as long as I can.

Oct 1st - 19:00pm | Anonymous

They missed something big. Railroads offer a rare and beautiful view of the country as you travel. Yet their travel will be at night. Then why bother going by train at all?

Time Running Out This Year For A Visit To Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim

Oct 1st - 20:19pm | Lee Dalton

I was up there last Saturday and Sunday and it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! 28 degrees at sunrise each morning at DeMotte campground six miles outside the park.

Oct 1st - 08:22am | Gaelyn

Better hurry. The aspen are gold.

National Park Service Ships Historic Railroad Cars to East Troy Electric Railroad

Oct 1st - 19:06pm | Fred M Pohl

I woould rather see these vintage cars in a museusm than the scrapyard

Record Summer of Turtle Nesting at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Spawns....Debate

Oct 1st - 15:56pm | SS1

Dapster, Spin is interesting. You implied that environmental organizations were dishonest about filling a lawsuit about the Park’s Interim Protected Species Management Plan (IPSMP). “which the SELC parties jumped ship from mid-process, going against their own pledges not to do so.” Not so.

Sep 30th - 12:43pm | Anonymous8

Dadgum Ghost Crabs. There's your problem. Put a bounty on 'em, say 50 cents each. Then let the kids catch 'em and turn 'em in by the bucketful. Do this every year starting right before hatching time till the end of it :)

Antelope Fire in Yellowstone National Park Approaching 4,000 Acres

Oct 1st - 12:46pm | Les & Jill Taylor

As you know, we spent September 9-18 in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. While the other two couples in our party of six had never visited a national park before, no one was more excited than I since it would be my first visit to my personal favorite park in 15 years.

Here's the Denali Road Lottery Schedule

Oct 1st - 04:31am | G & C Flothe

We won the Denali Road Lottery this year for the 17th and had a wonderful experience. The weather was warm with sun and blue sky the whole day. We saw Denali all the way up the highway and all the way back toward Anchorage, as well as all through the Park. We spotted most of the big five mammals (including many bear), but didn't seen any caribou.

Reader Participation Day: Help Us Name the Best Adventures In the National Park System, Lower 48 Edition

Oct 1st - 03:01am | MRC

Best adventures don't have to be big tours for the experienced wilderness expert:

Sep 30th - 21:23pm | Anonymous

Some of my favorite hikes: Mist Trail at Yosemite, Delicate Arch at Arches and Hidden Lake at Glacier. However, my favorite national park memory is walking around Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone after an October snow. My husband and I were the only people in sight; steam was rising up through the snow and there was a small herd of elk nearby.

Sep 30th - 17:11pm | Bogator

You know, everything is relative. For my wife and I, two seniors from FLORIDA, driving in and out of Mesa Verde is all the adventure we need. Same goes for driving the Rim Road in the Colorado NM. I also agree with Meg, watching Grand or Great Fountain Geysers put on their show is exhilarating .

Sep 30th - 15:04pm | stampling

Some that have not been mention: 1) Rock climbing on El Capitan at Yosemite 2) Canoeing in Conagree NP 3) BASE Jumping from The New River Gorge Bridge during Bridge Day 4) Wind Surfing at Cape Hatteras 5) Kayaking in Apostle Islands 6) Snow shoeing or cross county sking in Yellowstone 7) 4X4 driving in Canyonlands NP

National Park Mystery Spot 16: Shuck Your Clothes

Oct 1st - 00:47am | Anonymous

Below Lincoln Rd and below the Presidio. Baker Beach is to the west. Marshal's beach is the shoreline between the Presidio and the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Every San Francisco native is naked. Some tourist stay shy and covered. It's also referred to as "Nasty Boys Beach". The boys are not nasty, but they are playful.

Visitor Survey: Grand Teton National Park

Sep 30th - 19:43pm | stormy

Along with the money factor for younger families, there is also the fact that kids today are so tethered to their electronic games/gadgets. Now, I know not all of them are, but if you pay attention to tweens/teens in public most of them have some type of electronic gadget in their hands or ears. We made our 1st trip to Yellowstone in 2004 when our younger son was 15.

Sep 30th - 18:35pm | Cornell

RE: "Nearly half -- 48 percent -- of the respondents said they were visiting Grand Teton because they were also visiting Yellowstone National Park. Just 17 percent said Grand Teton was their primary destination."

Visit To Mammoth Cave National Park Shows Off Above- and Below-Ground Wonders

Sep 30th - 17:30pm | haunted hiker

Great post prkranger!..Hope to see more from you here.

Survey of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitors Points to Need For More Rangers, More Funding, Better Access

Sep 30th - 15:46pm | Rangertoo

It is a coal-powered plant, not a nuclear reactor.

Search in Joshua Tree National Park Continues For Missing Californian

Sep 30th - 15:24pm | Anonymous

go josar! he was found alive!

Interior Secretary Salazar Issues "Scientific Integrity" Order

Sep 30th - 14:53pm | Ron Saunders

Just a few thoughts and observations.

Cavallo Point: New National Park Lodging in Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Sep 30th - 13:52pm | Anonymous

My wife stayed at the Cavallo Point for one night (as a gift from a well to do relative). From her perspective, only people with a high disposable income can afford to stay at CPL. It's elegant and most definitely an eco-lodge, however this kind of lodge experience comes with a high price tag.

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