| Page 1415 | National Parks Traveler

Interesting question. Fort Moultrie was transferred to the state of South Carolina after it was deactivated in 1947. The state of South Carolina then transferred the site back to the federal government in 1960. Assigning it to the National Park Service for administration as a component of Fort Sumter National Monument would certainly be the logical thing to do in those circumstances.

Mar 25th - 09:45am | MRC

I got curious and looked a bit deeper at the usual places for such an information - the hit came pretty easily, wasn't more than ten minutes searching. And thank you for the summary of the really know facts. But one big question stays: How did the NPS get responsible for Fort Moultrie, if not by designation or proclamation?

Mar 25th - 06:23am | Bob Janiskee

Wow, MRC; that's a great catch! Right there on page 14 of that GMP (page 11 contains only a map) it says: "No enabling legislation exists for Fort Moultrie." That's pretty darn unequivocal.

Mar 25th - 02:00am | MRC

Bob, can you point me to the disignation of Fort Moutrie als National Monument by congress, please?

House Consideration of Massive Public Lands Bill Could Involve Gun Amendment

Mar 26th - 09:11am | Kurt Repanshek

That makes two of us, Old Ranger. I've been meaning to have a talk with him about national park issues, but figure he'd just want to mine them.

Mar 25th - 21:52pm | Old Ranger

I'm ashamed to admit that Rob Bishop represents me. Sorry about that. But at least with President Cheney out, our parks finally have a chance at survival.

Mar 25th - 15:15pm | Rick Smith

House passes bill to expand wilderness in 9 states By MATTHEW DALY From Associated Press March 25, 2009 2:52 PM EDT WASHINGTON - Congress on Wednesday set aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as protected wilderness - from California's Sierra Nevada mountains to the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.

Mar 24th - 20:01pm | Anonymous

This is crap. DINO needs fixing. Now. Surely we can wait on an NJ park?

Mar 24th - 16:27pm | JimB

This proposed amendment, along with several existing provisions for this bill, illustrates the perils of omnibus bills. While such bills may be touted as an "efficient" way to move a lot of items through the legislative process, they simply offer too much temptation for many of our elected officials to tack on their pet projects or causes.

Mar 24th - 15:24pm | Kurt Repanshek

In terms of some frivolous projects, for sure. But what does a gun issue have to do with a lands bill? That's one of the problems with Congress, they often resort to sleight-of-hand to get pet or controversial issues through.

Mar 24th - 15:12pm | Bugsyshallfall

You know.............in some ways he has a point

Congress Passes Sweeping Public Lands Package, National Parks Will Benefit

Mar 26th - 09:09am | Frank N

Good news out of Washington for a change! Zebulon, nobody hates bike riders. No matter how many acres are designated Wilderness, there will still be millions of acres for bike riding.

Mar 26th - 03:12am | rscottjones

I'm very excited that the National Landscape Conservation System now has a permanent place in America's portfolio of protected public lands. The system has some real gems out there, many of them here in my home state of Arizona.

Mar 25th - 23:59pm | Zebulon

Wonderful, cyclists are getting kicked out of even more areas. Bike haters on the bike rejoice. More trails you won't have to share courtesy of the government...

Mar 25th - 16:47pm | Ray Bane

I wish that the bill had included final wilderness designation for millions of acres of parklands in Alaska.

Mar 25th - 16:43pm | Anonymous

This collection of bills sounds like money well spent. Perhaps we can squeeze some money into the next set to upscale the web presence of some of the smaller units. ;)

Park History: Mammoth Cave National Park

Mar 26th - 08:15am | Susan

Does anyone remember the ld hotel at Mamoth Cave ? I stayed there as a young girl when my family was on a Spring Field Trip. The Park Service was very proud that the hotel was 'nautrally air conditioned' from the air in the cave. Then sometime in the late 70s or early 80s the hotel was closed because the air from the cave contained radon gas.

What Should a Park Do With "Surplus" Wood? Yellowstone National Park Has One Answer

Mar 26th - 08:07am | tahoma

Yellowstone's plan for surplus wood disposal sounds reasonable if the fees cover the administrative costs.

Sections of Pacific Crest Trail Poached by Mountain Bikers; Could Problems Arise in National Parks?

Mar 25th - 21:15pm | imtnbke

Kurt, thanks for the suggestions on places to ride where mountain biking is allowed. I have ridden in the Sawtooths, assuming that's where the Williams Creek and Fisher Creek trail loop is located, the one between Ketchum and Stanley on the east side of the highway. Fine trails. I had to share them with a group of motorcyclists but they were polite, albeit unavoidably loud.

Mar 25th - 11:18am | Anonymous

Kurt, extremely well expressed! The less tire tread in the National Parks, the better off will all be to enjoy the true solitude of mother nature. Silence is golden Zebulon!

Mar 25th - 01:55am | Ray Bane

"Over the years I've come to believe, to accept, that the national parks are a different animal than other public lands. They are managed for an entirely different purpose, one focused largely on conservation/preservation, not meeting everyone's recreational preference. Is that too idealistic? Perhaps. Kurt"

Mar 24th - 21:05pm | Zebulon

RT: There are plenty of bikes out there to choose from. The Ibis Mojo seems to be a great all day trail bike, light enough for a long ride, with plenty of travel to go on rocky trails. I don't get the 29er thing, but then again, I'm short. :)

Mar 24th - 19:55pm | Anonymous

It's like ATV issues...ride your bikes on Forest Service or BLM land. It's just as spectacular (usually)

Mar 24th - 19:05pm | Kurt Repanshek

IMTN, I guess I don't really see a problem. There are plenty of places to ride mountain bikes in national parks. The problem is not all mountain bikers like those options.

Mar 24th - 18:55pm | rolling thunder

hi zebby & pro park mountain biker folks:

Mar 24th - 17:54pm | imtnbke

Quick followups to some of the more recent comments: Rolling Thunder: "this is totally flogging a dead horse with the same people commenting the same gripes and no one is giving an inch." That's not accurate. I said earlier in this thread:

Mar 24th - 14:31pm | Zebulon

Kurt,

Mar 24th - 13:24pm | Kurt Repanshek

Richard, How do you keep mountain bikes out of wilderness? There are many front-country trails that lead to wilderness areas, some officially designated, others managed as de facto wilderness and waiting for the day Congress officially designates them as such.

Mar 24th - 13:11pm | Richard Smith

Ray Bane mentioned a place where hikers don't compete with mtn bikers. That is called wilderness. Other trails can be used for mtn bikers, so we can all get along. He also talks of walking slowly and quietly. Thank goodness that people like him don't run parks, as I want to be able to make as much noise as I want, particularly in bear country!

Mar 24th - 10:51am | Kurt Repanshek

Zeb, A question about alternate days -- how does that work with backcountry travelers? Say a hiker, or a mountain biker, wants to head off on a multi-day trip. Under an alternate day program, would they have to coordinate so they exit the backcountry on their respective "day"?

Mar 24th - 10:43am | Zebulon

For the record, Point Reyes has some nice single track that flows really well with no hikers to be found. Re. carbon poles, I was obviously stereotyping for good reason. I figured that I could use the tactics of the anti cyclists on this board. Apparently, it works just well. :)

Mar 24th - 09:17am | Anonymous

Ray Bane, your message rings well and clear into my ears. I too, must surrender to the physical elements of old age with a bad back and neck. But, this doesn't stop me from hiking the the beautiful majestic trails of Yosemite National Park or Point Reyes National Seashore. What does disgust me, is the very idea of allowing mountain biking into the national parks.

Mar 24th - 08:13am | Anonymous2

Seriously, Zeb, chill out and quit speaking in ultimatums. And no one ever said anything about North Face jackets and fancy boots. Myself, I prefer a flannel work shirt and shoes I've had for years. It does no good to paint everyone with one stereotypical brush. What if a hiker said you are just someone who blows hundreds of dollars on a bike because you're too lazy to walk?

Mar 24th - 07:01am | JimB

Zebulon - It's true that everyone won't share the values of Ray, or Zebulon, or ... in terms of "how we're supposed to enjoy the parks." However, I'd suggest that there is a very rational justification for a government role in managing parks and other public outdoor space.

Designations Just One Example of Disparities Within the National Park System. Web Sites Are Another

Mar 25th - 19:54pm | Anonymous

For the most part, NPS Web content is principally driven by 1) a dedicated/interested NPS employee (and in a few cases, employees, plural) and/or 2) a dedicated/interested volunteer. This is pretty much consistent whether the park be large or small, old or new. In many cases existing Web content was created by that NPS employee and/or

Mar 25th - 00:04am | Anonymous

How about NOT mentioning those 38 units again until after this site posts an article about, or at the very least mentions the remaining 358 units? (Or is my math incorrect because I blindly believe the NPS' designations and official count of units is good enough for most purposes?)

Mar 24th - 20:22pm | Kurt Repanshek

Volunteerism and lip-service? How's this for volunteerism -- The Traveler has been a volunteer effort for nearly four years now. As for lip-service, perhaps you should take a glance through the "Browse Content By Date" search function. Here's a quick rundown of variety:

Mar 24th - 20:03pm | Anonymous

The largest, most popular parks are much more highly favored not just by visitors or managers. Park partners, especially "educational" partners, provide a great deal of funding to the larger parks with screaming resources that everyone wants to visit. The big sexy parks get more support, unfortunate but it's true, because it's awesome and cool to be associated with them.

NPCA Applauds National Park System's Cut of Stimulus Package, But Says Much Remains to Do

Mar 25th - 19:01pm | Anonymous

I am not sure "a lot of money" spent within the National Park system is money well spent (But I guess that wasn't the premise upon which the stimulus package was built). The hierachy within the National Park system has in the past stepped on many a Senator/Congresman's toes whenever one would question what was going on within the Park.

Flamingo Lodge is No More

Mar 25th - 15:15pm | Dick

The last time we stayed there, a rain storm came up early one morning. The wind was blowing and the rain was about horizontal. It was coming in around the windows so bad that my wife was putting towels down to try and keep some of it off the carpet. I'm sure those buildings would have rotted away sooner than later if the storms hadn't taken them. Great times there.

Mar 24th - 15:07pm | Tom

Our family stayed there in the late 80's and had a great time. It was March and we don't recall the mosquitos at all. We would have used repellent in any case, but perhaps they were hibernating? I think we still have the logo glasses from the bar/dining room.

Mar 24th - 09:34am | Rick Smith

Bob mentioned mosquitoes. I worked in Everglades for 3 years. I probably traveled to Flamingo at least twice a month from park headquarters. One of the most comical sights in the Flamingo area was to watch foreign tourists in Flamingo during the summer--they were really the only ones there besides a few die hard fishermen and the park and concession employees.

Mar 24th - 08:59am | Bob Janiskee

I never had the pleasure of an overnight stay at Flamingo myself, Dick, but I've heard plenty of feedback from people who have. The Flamingo area of Everglades NP is an outdoor recreational cornucopia, offering great birding, fishing, boating and paddling, and other delights. I won't let the Lodge's demise keep me from enjoying those things when I get the chance.

Mar 24th - 08:13am | Dick

Too bad! We stayed there several times over the years and always enyoyed ourselves...even the lizards in the room. It was all part of the experience. Had some pretty good meals in the restaurant too. I'm sure that those people expecting the "Hilton" experience were disappointed, but we never were. After all, it was the Everglades.

National Park Service Ban on Lead Ammo, Fishing Gear Draws Ire of Shooting Sports Foundation

Mar 25th - 01:07am | Mike

As our technology continues to evolve, science seems to be catching up to our activities. There's nothing wrong with course correction in this instance. There's no harm in doing the right thing by wildlife, ourselves and just having a good outdoor spirit in general.

National Park Foundation Launches 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest

Mar 24th - 13:53pm | Anonymous

Interesting that children of NPS employees are ineligible. My children are homeschooled and we utilize the Parks as a learning tool. My 11 year old has a pretty good grasp of the issues encountered by park management not from dinner table discussions but from attending interpretive programs and Junior Ranger Programs.

NRA Appeals Ruling Blocking Concealed Carry in National Parks

Mar 24th - 08:50am | Chief Ranger

Here we go again. To both sides I applaud your conviction to what you believe is right. Please remember that with every decision there is a considerable operational impact. For those of us who are charged with keeping the resource safe from the people, the people safe from the resource and the people safe from the people we'll continue to stand by while this gets properly vetted.

Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks

Mar 24th - 03:34am | Ray Bane

I never met Timothy Treadwell, but I am quite familiar with the area and circumstances relating his and his companion' demise. Personally, I consider Treadwell's fate the outcome of a death wish. From any objective perspective, Treadwell's behavior was bizarre and self destructive. He did almost everything wrong in re: to his interaction with bears.

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Donate Now!

The Essential RVing Guide

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.

National Parks Traveler

Search