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You Want How Much For That Campsite?!?

Jul 3rd - 16:48pm | Anonymous

anyone insane enough to pay that much for a national park campground deserves it!

Jul 3rd - 16:23pm | David Blanchard

Why not have the reservation service make these reservations non-transferable, and require a photo ID when the campers arrive for their stay. That is how low cost airline and hotel reservation people handle this situation. If after a set time, the person who reservied does not appear, then open the site to people who are there looking to get a site.

Tragedy Stalks the National Parks

Jul 3rd - 16:34pm | Anonymous

If they have cables, they are encouraging the climb. By encouraging a climb that is knowingly dangerous without mandating (or suggesting or making available clips and harnesss/belt) clipping onto the cable is negligent.

Paying to Enjoy The Parks

Jul 3rd - 05:36am | jsmacdonald

I've used my share of back entrances, friends' couches, etc. to get across the country and into and through parks and around various kinds of user fees. That kind of solution can only work for a demographically narrow group of people. It's also only evidence that Titanic America has different class levels on its boat.

Jul 3rd - 00:51am | Merryland

I use the campgrounds in the parks when available and sleep in cheap motels in rinkydink towns between the parks I'm visiting... Why? Because I'm worth it...! Actually the best accomodations have gone something like this: Our scene opens at the entrance gate of a major national park...

Jul 2nd - 12:20pm | RangerX

Why anonymous? To avoid hate mail. Yes, fees are a threat, but there are much bigger threats, like unrestrained development and environmental degradation caused by autos and fossil fuels.

Jul 1st - 22:38pm | snowbird

What irks me, we the middle class sacrifice so much for this great nation: The excessive burden of taxes, the blood for Bush's war in Iraq, and the heavy laden of labor that moves this great country of ours.

Jul 1st - 18:22pm | Merryland

We live in different parts of the country and I'm probably expressing my disgust with the locals here. Regardless of income level, they still have cell phones, they still drive fancy cars, and I could probably pick out a half dozen other major things they waste their money on.

Jul 1st - 15:32pm | Merryland

We're now experiencing the Republican way -- lower those taxes but raise the fees. The Democrat way, at least in the past, is to lower the fees and raise the taxes. Everything costs money to maintain. People want to enjoy the parks but don't want to make the hard choices necessary to keep them up. Let's see, entrance fee for Yosemite or that Barry Bonds replica jersey?

Jul 1st - 15:23pm | jsmacdonald

Jon,

Jul 1st - 14:13pm | Glenn Scofield ...

It's easy to not be bothered by increases in fees when you can pay them. Many Americans can't. There was a time (not all that long ago) when the parks were havens for overworked, underpaid families who were allowed a bit of nature to refresh and heal. Now they can't afford it. The middle class are getting squeezed out of the parks and lower income people?... forget it.

Jul 1st - 12:24pm | repanshek

Anonymous (why anonymous?), Point taken. I guess there are so many articles about fees is because it's an issue that's sweeping the entire national park system and it represents, as some believe, a price escalation that is moving the parks out of the truly public sector.

Jul 1st - 11:49am | Anonymous

"as they drink bottled water and don't take the time to recycle that plastic bottle but instead send it to the landfill" If it is recycled, chances are it'll be shipped (using fossil fuel) to China where it will be incinerated and send back to America as particulate matter via the jet stream. Almost better to bury it. Best not to buy plastic at all. Right.

Jul 1st - 11:47am | Merryland

For something that's important to me, sure. If I feel the government isn't doing its job I try to step up through things like volunteering to plant apple trees on historic battlefields, picking up garbage along the C&O Canal towpath, or dropping a few extra bucks in the box at the small parks with no entrance fees. There are many ways to make a difference.

Jul 1st - 08:39am | jsmacdonald

So, is it your responsibility to fund parks that are underfunded? Is it fair to those who would like to see multiple parks but cannot afford the fee (on top of the other costs of travel) to pay, even if you are happy to pay?

Jul 1st - 05:58am | Merryland

As a way to avoid the "this park only" fees, which by themselves are rather steep, I happily pay. Of course I'm visiting 15-20 parks every year, whereas most famlies are visiting one or two, if that, so for them I'm sure it seems unreasonable for some parks. Then again, some parks still have no entrance fee at all.

Jul 1st - 02:13am | jsmacdonald

I'm curious. Should others have to pay those fees? Or, is your being happy to pay them sufficient to make it reasonable?

Jun 30th - 21:09pm | Merryland

I happiily pay the Annual Pass fee yet there are still parks that don't honor the pass for various reasons. Cave parks rarely honor the pass, and those with museums or historic homes as the focal point of the visit also often have separate or additional fees. I want a single fee card, whatever the price is, that will let me in everywhere.

Jun 27th - 23:46pm | Sally

Joseph: Jus' to let ya know, TAXES were originally set up by our founders to be paid towards one thing and one thing ONLY...DEFENSE of this great nation. So don't complain.... Granma

Jun 27th - 13:03pm | Anonymous

You, sir, are an illiterate

Disaster in Russia Boosts Prominence of Yellowstone

Jul 3rd - 01:15am | Merryland

Kurt, I don't think this quite qualifies as a "disaster"... the earth createth, and the earth taketh away... it's one of those circle of life things, ya know... ;-) Put lid on a boiling pot and it eventually boils over again. Even more dramatically. Not to worry. -- Jon Merryman

Alcatraz Event on YouTube

Jul 3rd - 00:26am | Merryland

Here's the response I got from GGNRA -- still waiting for the responses with more apologetic tones from the higher ups. <><><><><> Thank you for your comment regarding the private event sponsored by Scion on June 16, 2007, on Alcatraz Island, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service.

Jul 2nd - 00:59am | bimmus

the Art Institute? disgusting. Our society can no longer justify its facade, trying to conceal love of money, the persons taking part in this are obvious, creepy, sad, and lost. Is this easy to see only to me? Where are the true heros today-and why are they so silent about God?

Jul 1st - 17:17pm | Merryland

I wrote to the NPS Director and already got a response (merely an acknowledgement, but very quick nonetheless). I'll forward whatever future responses I get here... (I sent a similar note to Nancy Pelosi, for what it's worth)

Repairing Rainier: A Question of Values

Jul 2nd - 17:42pm | RangerX

The "line between protecting the resource and providing access to people" isn't fine. In the case above, it's a half-mile long scar carved into living forest by a diesel-slurping smoke-spewing monster that does not belong in wilderness. Period.

Jun 29th - 12:55pm | Glenn Scofield ...

Back to the point, there is a fine line (as has been repeated over and over) between protecting the resource and providing access to people. I'm not sure if these things can be decided on a blanket, general basis. It seems that diverting Kautz Creek may be a frustration response by park officials who have sought to tame that road crossing for the last 50 years.

Be Careful Celebrating the Fourth of July

Jul 2nd - 13:50pm | jsmacdonald

The West Yellowstone fire has caused the cancellation of fireworks in West Yellowstone. There have also been fires in Shoshone National Forest and Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park has had a few small fires already this year as well.

Concessionaire News

Jul 2nd - 09:28am | repanshek

Write, er, right you are. Thanks for the catch. Kurt

Jul 2nd - 06:49am | Anonymous

Isn't it Wright Brothers?

Why Is The Park Service Bending Over Backwards For Developer?

Jul 2nd - 07:01am | PS

The entire scenerio surrounding this proposed plan for Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit is totally suspicious to me. I believe that the ultimate goal of the National Park Service is to divest itself of this property at a huge profit to private developers.

Mission

Jul 2nd - 02:30am | Andrew Dean Nystrom

Kurt - great new design, thanks for the update. I've updated the URL on travel.latimes.com. In sustainable adventure, ~ Andrew Sr. Editor/Producer, travel.latimes.com Los Angeles Times Interactive/Tribune Co.

Your Chance To Help Guide Everglades' Future

Jul 1st - 19:11pm | Merryland

1. Tell us what you think are the most important stories, ideas, and concepts that visitors should experience in the park? a. The biodiversity and uniqueness of the area b. The park's relationship to human activity upstream c. Mistakes we've made and successes at restoration of the ecosystem d. The deactivated missile site and its role in the Cuban Missile Crisis

Mammoth Cave Ferries Docked Due to Low Water

Jul 1st - 18:42pm | Merryland

Was there with my daughter in late May and they were closed when we arrived in the morning and later when I asked about it that same day, the ferries were operating (according to the gent at the Visitor Center desk). Seems rather odd since there was not a drop of rain the entire week we visited Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio parks. -- Jon Merryman

C&O Canal Hopes to Land Some Centennial Funding

Jun 30th - 22:26pm | Merryland

I own 3.5 acres adjacent to CHOH (I can literally spit into the canal prism from the property line), also close to Antietam Battlefield and really hope the towpath gets repaired so that cyclists and equestrians can go from Georgetown to Cumberland once again. Between miles 80 and 90, towpath goers are forced to detour from the towpath and follow public roads which are much more dangerous.

Selling Scions by the Seashore

Jun 29th - 13:23pm | Glenn Scofield ...

One more example of the current administration's push to put everything under the control of business. If you think the government-run parks are messy, you should try it when corporations - who you can't vote out and have no motives but profit - get in control. The NPS is not a place for business interests... it's bad enough we have to wrangle with concessions to do what's good for the parks.

Jun 29th - 09:47am | snowbird

Jr. Ranger: Read some great books written by Edward Abbey (former NPS ranger and now deceased). May those books inspire you to stick your values!

Jun 29th - 07:35am | jsmacdonald

I wouldn't worry about it. First, you probably wouldn't want to apply to work for people who "remember nastygram"s, and you certainly don't want to stop speaking your mind because someone might remember. Fear is a powerful tool used to keep people in line (see Washington Post 4-part series this week on Cheney as evidence).

Jun 28th - 21:50pm | jr_ranger

I wrote letters to my Senators and Congressman - wonder what sort of reply I'll get. I wanted to write the super, but if I applied for a job there after school and someone remembered my nastygram, that wouldn't be too good...

Jun 28th - 12:28pm | Anonymous

Be concerned. Golden Gate NRA is the park that other NPS superintendents, looking for income-generating ideas, hold up as THE paragon of private-public partnerships. And those superintendents that do watch Golden Gate, do not have their park's best interests in mind.

Jun 28th - 10:25am | jr_ranger

ARGH! Who approved this? I don't like imports to begin with, but imports being sold in a national park is like two stabs in the back..... :( I should write someone a letter.

Jun 28th - 09:50am | Matt

Public lands are frequently used for commercial activities but they are generally limited to those that contribute to management objectives for an area. I don't work for NPS and am not up to date on their commercial activity permit policy and process, but I'm having a tough time figuring out how lining Scions up and down Alcatraz Island furthers management objectives.

Congress Takes a Step Toward Restoring the Great Lakes

Jun 28th - 21:38pm | repanshek

Jim, I'll have to double-check, but I believe current regs require ships to swap their ballast at sea before coming down the St. Lawrence Seaway. But I've been wrong before....;-) Kurt

Jun 28th - 21:33pm | jsmacdonald

When I was on Lake Erie last week, I heard a lot from an Ohio State University scientist about the need for shipping ballast regulation.

Welcome to the National Parks Traveler 2.0

Jun 28th - 12:36pm | fernando_vilarinho

Great new interface. Big Congrats. all good for your and this blog from Portugal, fernando_vilarinho

Jun 27th - 16:43pm | jr_ranger

Hey - if you guys did such a great job apart, imagine what NPT will be like! Keep up the great work! The new look and feel is wonderful.

Jun 27th - 12:39pm | Bob Mackreth

Congratulations! The new interface looks great, and I'm eagerly anticipating the results of your collaboration. Both NP Traveler and Park Remark have proven their worth many times over, and this new vision should be even more valuable for those of us who love the parks. Ranger Bob Home Page: http://www.bobmackreth.com

The Political Blotter

Jun 28th - 00:38am | VIC

I am not against snow mobiles or them having races, as long as they pass some kind of mechanical inspection, it bothers me when I see any mechanical driven vehicle burning or leaking oil. All should be required to have a valid inspection sticker, a nominal fee should be charged. The inspection should cover all mechanical and safety items, good for only 6 months.

Jun 27th - 15:45pm | Beamis

The days of government management should be drawing to a close. The continuing faith that is placed in this oversized and self-perpetuating bureaucracy with its legendary mismanagment is truly astounding! Can any of you out there name even ONE efficient federal government agency? One that is free of self-promotion, careerism and image mongering? Yeah, that's what I figured.

Hawaii Volcanoes Displaying its Geologic Might

Jun 27th - 21:11pm | Claire Walter

I'm in Hawaii right now, and tho' I'm not on the Big Island, this is major news all over the state. When someone mentions something like, say, the Agora Fire, some Hawaiian always points out that it will be contained and extinguished w/ the intervention of humans. Kilauea will be fiery until the eruption stops naturally.

Grizzly Attacks Man in Grand Teton

Jun 27th - 16:23pm | jr_ranger

Sally - how do you know the bear wasn't there first? Oh, wait, you don't. Excuse the rhetorical question.

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.