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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

National Park Service Studying Impacts Of eBikes

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!

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.

Jul 6th - 11:39am | A. Johnson

Kudos to the suthor for a well written and well thought out essay.  Of course the race-baiters think that any effort to question the motives of "special interest groups" must be racist.  Why not RESPOND to the arguments made?  When one cannot, then one tends  to toss meaningless racial epithets around. Shame.

Jul 5th - 15:09pm | Ethan Howard

This is a horribly written article that is not only insensitive, but factually incorrect on so many levels.

Jul 5th - 12:40pm | A McDonough

Well if that isn't an old white male "wildnerness first" mentality I don't know what is. His point about bison management may have merit, but it is lost in lack of understanding of history. It's so wild this got published. Not to mention his tone toward Native Communities.

Jul 5th - 11:26am | J Katz

You need to take down this article. It's incredibly offensive and dismissive of Native culture(s) and the unique perspectives of indigeneity as distinct from race. The topic of bison management is complex and nuanced, but that does not give NPT an excuse to dismiss the Native American experience and perspective. Please take down this article. 

Jul 4th - 22:44pm | J Himmel

You are wrong about where it was going. The author spelled out many good arguments for keeping Yellowstone Bison Management out of the hands of any special interest group. You should take the time to read the whole piece.

Jul 4th - 16:46pm | Danny torreyson

The author is delusional.. native Americans lived here for 12,000yeare  and them and the bison where erased in 300years of colonial oppression 

Jul 4th - 16:41pm | Danny torreyson

First the colonists destroyed the native people on the east coast in the 17th century and then the Midwest native people in the 18th century and then the 30million bison .

Jul 4th - 16:33pm | RangerR

  George Wuerthner is on the money in this Op-Ed..   .

Jul 4th - 08:25am | Sylvia Strobel

I only had to read the first sentence to see where this was going. "The first question anyone should ask is why any group, especially one based on a racial preference, should be given control of public wildlife". Really??????

Traveler's View: Has The Golden Age Of National Parks Slipped Away While We Weren't Watching?

Jul 2nd - 12:29pm | Earlymusicus

I foresee a time when people get so fed up with how difficult it is to visit a national park like Rocky that they just stop going. Then some of the politicians will look at the dwindling numbers and decide parks aren't worth funding. Then what? Sell the park land off to the rich for exclusive gated communitie?

Western Snowy Plover Update From Point Reyes National Seashore

Jul 1st - 21:22pm | Kenneth Bouley

This is encouraging. But it should be noted that Secretary Haaland and NPS continue to steadfastly defend ranching in Point Reyes, when it is known that the single biggest pressure on nesting plovers is the ravens that the ranches attract in unnatural densities.

By the Numbers: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Jul 1st - 09:43am | Roderick A. Hosler

Very nice website with some interesting comments. I have been to the battlefield three times and each time I come away with a sense of awe. After reading the many comments, it appears all condemn the Army (Custer and the 7th Cavalry) and government in dealing with the Indians.

Yellowstone Ranger Forced To Haze Charging Grizzly To Protect Onlookers

Jun 29th - 14:19pm | Sheri

Wow , amazing how fast that bear was, thank goodness the  ranger new what he was doing, very scary!   

Mammoth Cave National Park Proposing Fee Increases, Including EV Charging Fee

Jun 29th - 13:31pm | Glenn Scofield ...

I understand the benefits to the parks, but I would argue that rate increases only benefits those with more disposable income. This is making the parks less and less accessible to those who really need it, lower and lower-middle income folks. Increasingly, it's becoming almost impossible for a family to afford going to the parks because they face resort pricing. Parks are not for the affluent.

Jun 28th - 06:42am | Phillip

These seem to be very reasonable increases. I hope they help keep this a fabulous place to visit!

Stephen Mather's Ghost: Revisiting The Consensus For National Parks

Jun 28th - 23:58pm | Sean M.

Great article.  It's an indisputable fact that the railroads were the principal force in creating and developing our first National Parks.  This is easily verified...just do some research.

A 1.3-Million-Acre Approach To Preserving Nature

Jun 27th - 15:00pm | Steve Cowdrey

This is a bad idea!  why, because the Sierra National Forest already has more designated  wilderness acres than general forest acres.  All of the photos are from areas within the wilderness and protected from activities such as logging or road building.  Forest Service management requires multiple use approach including wilderness, natural resource and recreation activities.  The last 30 years

Feral Horses Rescued From Lake Powell Beach By National Park Service

Jun 27th - 12:55pm | Judy Kiel

Jen and her crew do amazing work with all the horses at Best Friends! Kudos to all involved with this unique rescue!

Jun 27th - 07:36am | Kimberly Goldstein

Awesome human, animal interest story,thanks for bringing a happily ended story...so appreciate everyone's magical heart's in rescuing this magnificent mare and her foal...you all are wonderful. J5eKf 

Jun 26th - 09:35am | Michael Köhnn L...

Great initiative to safely take care of these awesome horses!

Jun 25th - 18:00pm | Paula

So happy for mom and baby 

Loss of the Historic Baker-Robinson Whale Oil Refinery Rankles Officials at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Jun 26th - 14:39pm | Joan Beaubian

A rather late note to your story. The Ernestina's major contribution to New Bedford is not because it was a fishing boat. It transported many immigrants  from Cape Verde to New Bedford. Most importantly, the Ernestina was given to New Bedford by Cape Verde to tell the stories of Cape Verdeans.

UPDATE | Lawsuit Alleges Recreation.Gov Is Cluttered With "Junk Fees," Seeks Refunds

Jun 26th - 09:57am | Bill

Recreation.gov has incorrect and outdated information on the site I host. Consistent and repeated requests to update maps and other information seem to be ignored.  There seems to be zero oversite of the operations at Recreation.gov.....  what a scam.

Jun 26th - 02:32am | Mary T

I paid lottery fees for Camp 4 in Yosemite for several years and NEVER won the opportunity to get a campsite. Not until 2022, when the fires outside the park caused many to cancel their reservations was I able to finally "win the lottery" for a 3 nite stay, which I was able to extend to 5 nites once there.

Remains Of Man Who Went Missing At Mesa Verde National Park Found

Jun 24th - 08:55am | Bill

The reason the tips were anonymous is because the part of the park they found him in we're off limits with no trespassing signs. He remained anonymous so he wouldn't get in trouble.

Free National Parks RVing Guide Now Available For iPhones

Jun 23rd - 18:26pm | matteo manfredi

Thank you 

Climate-Change Concerns Prompting New Review Of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program

Jun 20th - 12:49pm | T Hasbrouck

The reason Florida doesn't recognize Climate Change is because we have had a string of Govenors, starting with Rick Scott and now Ron DeSantis that don't believe in Climate Change.  Then Govenor Scott wouldn't even let anyone who worked for the state use the words Climate Change in any document or speech.  It's unfortunate that homeowners who can't afford to move elsewhere will be the most impa

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