You are here

All Recent Comments

Dozens Of Conservation Groups Oppose eBikes On Non-Motorized Trails

Jul 30th - 13:20pm | Rick

Unfortunately most people have no skills and on a motorized rocket are a danger to the rest of us.  You feel so strongly about it go to moto cross pa where you belong 

National Park System Expansion Key To Biodiversity Protection

Jul 30th - 12:43pm | Still anonymous

Wilderness Areas provide greater protection of species and biodeversity than national parks, no mater how we spin the elements of the topic. Protect and inforce the Roadless Rule. Transfer lands to Wilderness Area, not more National Parks with their roads, cell towers, shopping complexes, deadly automobile/wildlife collisions and ever expanding mass of millions of human visitors.

National Park Service Approves Caneel Bay Redevelopment Plan

Jul 28th - 15:43pm | James Kevin Roche

Thanks for covering the Caneel Bay recovery as we enter yet another "human created hurricane season". Not everyone will be happy but can we come together to protect the beauty of Caneel?

National Park Service Studying Impacts Of eBikes

Jul 28th - 14:58pm | connie marshall

E bikes are a hazard to both hikers and  equestrians .   The silent surprise ot bikes and the whirl of the E bike produces anxiety for both horse and rider and hiker. Hardly what I call a relaxing enjoyable experience in our prestine parks and wilderness areas.  They should not be allowed. 

Jul 28th - 14:52pm | Anonymous

I believe that E Bikes create a hazard for hikers and equestians alike.  Speed and indisgression of the users, erosion concerns and anxiety of wondering what is around the next corner makes the pleasure of the outcoor experience experience disappear. 

Jul 20th - 09:07am | Josette beaumont

my concern is the speed ebikes can travel. This puts people walking at risk for injury from collisions and injuries, often in places difficult to reach by emergency personnel. Equestrian are also put at risk.  Disparity in speeds is areal risk factor.

Jul 17th - 11:54am | Jeff O

E-bikes are "motorized" vehicles and should be restricted to motorized access trails and roads only.

Jul 16th - 21:48pm | Arnie Wilkens

Motorized is motorized, period!

Jul 12th - 23:35pm | Heather Donesky

As an avid backcountry horseback rider, I am against any form of motorized bikes on backcountry trails. Trails are made for slow (walking pace) travel, and are often narrow, with drop offs and no sightlines.  I see electric scooters and bikes zooming around towns at 30mph; I can't imagine coming around a corner and meeting an ebike going at even 10 mph with no warning. 

Jul 12th - 19:05pm | Greg Parsons

I have hiked, backpacked, ridden horses, hunted, and  horse packed all over the US West for over 60 years.  I am against introduction of e-bikes to any trail, other than paved trails or bike only trails; and even then only if there are strict rules and speed limits with appropriate code enforcement personnel, available--to control the many indiscreet e-bike riders.

Jul 11th - 16:10pm | Chris Dickard

As horseback trail riders, my husband and I feel that motorized vehicles, including e-bikes pose a threat to equestrians and their horses on trails. The speed at which they can go and the lack of warning sounds poses a serious accident threat on often curvy trails. When a horse hears a soft whirring sound and has no idea what it's source is it often panics!

Jul 11th - 11:13am | Steve Sanderson

I am a mule rider, mountain bike and e-bike owner.  Also 81 years old.  I agree that class 3 e-bikes (pedalling not required, throttle controlled) have no place where motorized transportation is allowed.  However, my e-bike has allowed me to continue enjoying the outdoors like I used to do on a muscle powered mountain bike.  I believe that with strict - really strict monitoring and enforcement

Jul 11th - 08:07am | vindy ratz

E-Bikes are motorized vehicles, please keep them off of the trails!

Biden Designates Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument

Jul 27th - 21:51pm | RR

Couldn't agree more, Doug. Turn off comments or ban the serial antagonists. Nothing of value is contributed by the people who comment most of the time. Sad but true.

Jul 26th - 20:45pm | Doug

The post above stating that because there is now a memorial to Emmet Till means there should be a park site dedicated to Ruby Ridge is exhibit A for the argument why this website is much better without reader comments.

Jul 26th - 19:49pm | Kurt Repanshek

Editor's note: The NPS release and other accounts mention that Till was lynched and that he had a "75-pound cotton gin fan" and barbed wire wrapped around his neck.

Jul 26th - 17:59pm | A. Johnson

, Emmett -- who was lynched on August 28, 1955   Mr. Till was not lynched--he was brutally beaten,  tortured, amd shot with a .45.  Let's be as factual accurate as posible so as to ensure that what actually happened to him at the hands of Evil will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.  

Jul 26th - 17:45pm | A. Johnson

When will we have a Ruby Ridge Nat'l Monument? Our country needs to tell the WHOLE story.  What happened to young Mr. Till parallels the murder of young Sammy Weaver. The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.  Let's acknowledge the hate, the evil, and the injustice no matter where it occurred.   amen

The Challenges Of Recreation.gov

Jul 26th - 01:15am | quietfreedom

Some campgrounds have loops that open at 6 months out, 2 weeks out, and 4 days out...see Olympic Peninsula campgrounds in Washington State.   This is the answer...satisfy long term planners, medium, and "nearly last minute" folks.   Also max # of days per year at a site...stop a lot of gaming.

The Trouble With Horses On Cumberland Island

Jul 24th - 16:22pm | Kelly Schueman

We visited the wild horses there around 33 years ago. Humans try and say that wild horses are not native to the US, ranchers love that... but, LaBrea Tar pits show that modern horses were here. They were one of the first animals humans drove to extinction. I'm tired of the excuses for the sick roundups. The horses have managed to survive there for 100's of years.

House Appropriations Bill Slashes Interior, National Park Service Funding

Jul 21st - 13:54pm | Loui

Drilling within Big Cypress is a fascinating part of this article.  I was unaware that any official NPS unit owned something less than the property in fee simple.  I was recently in Saipan and the NPS rangers there explained that American Memorial Park is not an official unit b/c the agreement with the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands bars federal ownership of land.  Would love to see m

Jul 19th - 19:59pm | ecbuck

Kurt, your article re rec.gov quoted senators as saying the operating budget was 2.923 in 2023.  The link in your article to the 2024 budget puts the operating budget at 2.654.  Are they talking about the same thing?  Who knows.

Jul 19th - 18:38pm | Kurt Repanshek

E.C., the NPS budget is closer to $3.5 billion, of which about 3.6 percent are fixed costs, according to NPCA.

Jul 19th - 18:07pm | ecbuck

Slashes?  the NPS operating fund in 2023 was $2.923 billion.  The 2024 proposal is 2.654.  A drop of 269 million.  By shifting some $200 mil away from climate change and racial equality - which have nothing to do with the NPS mission, the net change too legimate operations is a couple of percent.  And that ignores the increases in gate, facilities and franchise fees that the NPS doesn't report

Senators: Why Is A Private Company Managing Recreation.Gov?

Jul 18th - 22:49pm | Will Skowronski

Very timely for me because I just took a road trip across California and got clobbered by fees by both recreation.gov but mostly reservationCalifornia.gov  Since I was unable to find blocks of dates I was forced to book on a day-by-day basis thereby incurring $8 transaction fee each day.  I also had to do a cancellation which was another $8 fee.

Jul 18th - 19:19pm | Jim Medlock

HALLEJUJA! I can't believe it's Sens. Grassley and Barrasso who are asking!

Jul 18th - 14:40pm | Bud Ramey

Here is a theory: like every other federal agency, it has gotten too big for oversight. Too much money changes hands. It is time to break up NPS into regional organizations and give the control to dozens of nonprofits. They are not beyond criticism either, but at least we will be able to watch the store.

Jul 18th - 14:04pm | Rita

Impact journalism!  

Jul 17th - 22:25pm | Nikki Cleeton

Interesting info. I would like to add to the questions that if Recreation.gov is given so much money, why do they use volunteers to clean bathrooms, and be hosts? we ve thought all along this was a private moneymaker scheme.  It was so much better when run by the government 

National Park Service Proposes Air Tour Ban Over Bandelier National Monument

Jul 18th - 12:42pm | xparkranger

About time. Too much noise. Parks should be havens for quiet enjoyment 

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 231 | Stone Road Press And The National Parks

Jul 18th - 08:48am | Barb Oswald

Really enjoyed your podcast with Mike Oswald about his new books on our National parks. To this day I use maps for all travels. When I saw his Atlas I loved it. Also his Journal book is really great and helpful for everyone especially the kids that can have their own journal for all their thoughts of their experiences. Great job Mike!!

Review | The Dayhiker's Guide To The National Parks

Jul 17th - 15:59pm | Mike Painter

Thanks for the good review! I'll put it on the list.

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Stock Use Plan, Including Mule Ride Quotas

Jul 16th - 13:55pm | gerrie kofke

I am 74 years old my family went on the mule ride 20 years ago we saved for a year to have the experience.I am a widow now and a grandmother but that was one of the best memories I still remenber our guides name Donna and Ron was one of the special souls that you will not forget.Memories are the wonderful times that make you smile thank you for the wonderful memories

House Appropriations Funding Bill For Interior Heavily Criticized

Jul 15th - 20:04pm | Anonymous

"Defund and decry" sums this up. It's part of their strategy. It's an axe swinging, one chop at a time, until the tree of American's Birthright of Public Lands is toppled once and for all.

Man Enters Guilty Plea To Leading Illegal Packrafting Trip In Grand Canyon

Jul 15th - 15:44pm | A. Johnson

In 2022, there were 338 search and rescue missions and 11 fatalities in Grand Canyon National Park.   Did any of those rescue missions involve packrafters?

Man Cited For Illegally Landing Helicopter In Grand Teton National Park

Jul 15th - 14:02pm | Anonymous

He did not "vandalize" the Park (as campers who cut living limbs off trees to build campfires too often do).  There is nothing "unsafe" in landing on a gravel bar.  He disturbed the Park's soundscape for a few minutes, leaving no lasting harm.  Tribes routinely land a helicopter, without informing NPS or obtaining a permit, to "survey" their treaty fishing rights (and leave with their coolers f

Jul 15th - 10:33am | Albert R Gutierrez

Another untitled JA who doesn't think the rules apply to him.

Jul 14th - 21:10pm | Sally

The man owns a flying service and I bet he knows the rules and regulations for the national parks.  My opinion - he's got money and that has replaced the brain that used to be in his skull.  They need to charge him more and take away his license for a month.  Maybe that would impress his companion too.

Jul 11th - 13:02pm | Diane

His pilot's license should be suspended also since he is operating his helicopter in an unsafe manner twice.   He obviously doesn't think rules apply to him

Jul 11th - 12:46pm | SallyJo

I wish he was banned from entering the park, by any means including air, for a minimum of 5-10 years. I think there needs to be harsher penalties for park violators and vandalizers. 

Jul 11th - 07:24am | Loui

Please update us on how this case turns out.  Hopefully the judge will be unimpressed by this repeat offender.

Jul 10th - 16:07pm | Wyosilver

He will just pay the fine and pick out his next picnic spot.

Is it Safe to Drink the Water at Grand Canyon National Park?

Jul 13th - 17:12pm | Christopher

Its a National Park and protected land there is no mining allowed, the information you have is false

A Hell Of A Place: The Devil's Role In National Park Place Names

Jul 12th - 22:32pm | RS

Yes! Oregon has too many and it's not dry and desolate where they have those names Devils Lake, Devils Churn, Devils Lake and that's only a few and they are beautifu! I only know one that is a hike called Angels Rest on the Columbia River.

Colorado Climber Falls 500 Feet To Her Death In Rocky Mountain National Park

Jul 12th - 18:13pm | Barbara A.Thornley

While it is very sad that she didn't survive , it is a risk you choose to take when doing dangerous things. Noone imagines it will happen to them . So sorry to hear she died . I am sure it is very difficult for all her friends and family . 

The Fire Lookouts of Mount Rainier National Park

Jul 12th - 15:27pm | RC Winter

My wife and I were some of the fortuante ones to help restore Kelly Butte Lookout. We were but a minor players, but it was a priviledge and inspiration to help bring this place back into service. Bob A and teams provided an unbeleivable amount of time and resources to make this happen. The view is stunning, especially at night.

Military Veterans And Gold Star Families Getting Free Lifetime Pass To Public Lands

Jul 11th - 10:11am | Glacier

I issue the passes and queried why the 214 would not be accepted.  I was told it is a DoD decision, nothing to do with the NPS.  I also asked why not just give the Lifetime one to active duty members, as they would qualify for it as soon as they left active duty.  Same response.

Op-Ed | Tribes Shouldn't Be Given Control Over Yellowstone Bison

Jul 10th - 15:11pm | J Dallas Gudgell

This poor gent is quite delusional and operating from an ancient colonial race-based "doctrine of discovery" that the Vatican themselves have abandon. The author appears frozen in a time when the polite racist, so-called liberal conservationists founded the Seirra Club. Those days have long passed, so too the same tired race-based arguments. "...

Jul 6th - 19:53pm | Stuiterbal

I agree with the argument that public lands and animals should not be managed by special interest groups.

Jul 6th - 11:58am | Loui

Thank you for publishing this article which represents a voice often not permitted by conventional media.  We live in an age when some religions like Christianity are loudly criticized while questioning tenants of other religions such as Islam or Native belief systems engenders not discusion, but calls for censorship.

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.