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Musings About The Parks: Are Crowds Damaging The Park Brand?

Dec 6th - 19:16pm | ecbuck

Steve, I think you misinterpreted his comment.  He doesn't want a litmus test.  He wants open parks.   

Dec 6th - 18:06pm | chris...

Steve M.. I never said that.... Read my comment more carefully

Dec 6th - 16:49pm | Steve M

I just have to ask - what kind of "litmus test" do you think the NPS should institute to limit entry, Chris?  Since you mention this alongside banning foreigners completely I take it that the "litmus test" you have in mind is something completely different .  Based on your other "solutions" I have no doubt this will be a good one.

Dec 6th - 16:03pm | chris...

the hearings were a joke.  The plan is recreation gov on all federal lands by 2023.  And it was made clear that they also plan on the concessions running the day to day operations of the parks.... as apparently that is already happinging with campgrounds in the tetons.    

Dec 6th - 13:39pm | Person

The mission of the NPS is to preserve and protect our national treasures unimpaired for future generations. That means visitation that damages resources is out of line with the mission. It isn't "the price of freedom" whatever that empty cliche means.

Dec 6th - 08:52am | chris..

recreation gov damaged the brand.  the crowds are the price you pay for freedom.. we COULD ban foreign visitation.  We COULD implement a litmus test for entry.  We dont.  Because its OUR land.  I will never be a millionaire.  But I have camped on lands that a millonaire couldnt even imagine in their gilded coffin (house).  

House Committee Hears Differing Opinions On How To Solve Park Crowding

Dec 6th - 18:11pm | chris...

I said we COULD implement a litmust test..  I did not say we should.  The price we pay for freedom is the fact that we let anyone and everyone into our parks no questions asked.  As such- they are crowded.  

Congaree National Park Boosting Camping Fees To Cover Reservation Costs

Dec 6th - 16:37pm | WaltD

Obviously some commenters expect a free ride in our national parks.  The fact is that for decades Congress refused to provide enough funding for the Interior Department to maintain the parks, resulting in huge backlogs of much needed repair and improvements.  Only recently did Congress provide extra funding to the NPS even though it's still inadequate.

Dec 4th - 23:00pm | Rick B.

Rape is a fairly lurid and loaded word to use in that context. 

Dec 4th - 10:53am | SmokiesBackpacker

It is a crock. And FLREA, the BS law that allows it is up for sunset next year. Tell your congress people to end this economic rape of taxpayers immediatley by sending Recreation.gov packing.

Dec 2nd - 15:57pm | Jerryc123

What a crock of $%^&. Another excuse for every park in the Country to raise their campground rates to "cover" the cost of reservations. This following requiring reservations at most all federal campgrounds in the Nation.  First come/first served worked just fine. Go back to that.  And what happens to that reservation fee I paid up front to make the reservation.

Dec 2nd - 08:39am | chris...

The war on the poor continues..  This for profit money making scam using OUR public lands needs to come to an end.  Bill Gates and Booz allen have enough money.  

Dec 2nd - 08:10am | Chris...

High costs and a for profit scheme? The nps really outdid itself.   They likely fired the staff that used to take these reservations

Rush To The Outdoors Has Challenged Recreation.Gov

Dec 6th - 12:48pm | Kurt Repanshek

No, it's a good number.https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2017/02/amid-bid-battle-r...

Dec 6th - 12:42pm | Ben Hiller

Think you got the $182M wrong. Booz Allen built it for free and gets some of the addon fees, accoring their own website. https://www.boozallen.com/s/insight/thought-leadership/reinventing-the-r...

Debate Waged Over Whether To Rename Delaware Water Gap

Dec 6th - 09:03am | Lou

I live in the area and am personally pro-national park because of the potential funding (despite the large backlog).  The Gap really does need additiona monetary support to keep up with maintenance.  I absolutely love it there too.

Site Of Sir Francis Drake's Ship Grounding Honored At Point Reyes National Seashore

Dec 6th - 08:29am | Garry Gitzen

Those who accept Pt. Reyes have never compared the theorized sites with "The World Encompassed" journal of the circumnavigation and 1579 5-week summer anchorage.  Nehalem Bay compares with EVERY item, event, flora & fauna in the journal.  It also has a Civil Engineering Thesis documenting an old survey displaying everything pointing to a navigational survey performed by Francis Drake.

Staffing Woes Limit Winter Access At Mount Rainier National Park

Dec 5th - 21:51pm | Kurt Repanshek

The article does not mention either Jarvis, and Jon Jarvis did not resign due to the ethics investigation. He left at the end of the Obama administration.

Dec 5th - 20:41pm | A. Johnson

Your article mentions Jonathan Jarvis, NPS director at the time.  Later, Jarvis resigned after his own ethics questions arose.  Now the Jarvises are advocating for an independent NPS!  Gee, I wonder why?

Dec 5th - 18:32pm | ecbuck

Anon - Budget is not the issue.  Congressional funding of the NPS was nearly 50% higher in 2022 than 2012 and that doesnt include the massive increase in fees that to a large extent never leave the parks. Fees of which I have still not yet been able to find an accounting.    

Dec 5th - 15:15pm | Anonymously

The issue is the budget. The nps workforce has shrunken dramatically in the past decade due to static budgets and pay that is far lower than most of the federal government. It's axiomatic in federal government circles that land management employees are paid far less than "normal feds". Not sure why that is except for maybe really inept and exploitative leadership

Dec 5th - 09:07am | chris...

Former NPS worker- the reason the road crew is understaffed?  Marijuana.   You have to be sober to be a CDL operater working for the govt plowing the roads and doing the heavy equipment work.  And the simple fact that you can make far more in the private sector working the jobs.  Seasonal workers typically do not do the snow removal operations in the winter as they are generally full time emplo

Dec 4th - 23:01pm | tahoma

Thanks for sharing, Debra; sorry about the NP$ ripoff!

Dec 4th - 20:41pm | Debra Barnia

Would have been nice if the kind gentleman who sold me a lifetime pass today at the Nisqually Entrance to the park had mentioned this little detail. Will you be reducing your taxpayer-funded budget since you're so significantly reducing the taxpayer's access to the park? Rhetorical question, of course.

"Narrows" Trip Leaves One Dead At Zion National Park

Dec 5th - 12:02pm | Sreekanth

I hiked Narrows twice in the last 3 years . I always hiked during summer where the day time temps are above 90 . The water would still be in 50s as it's coming from melting ice . I never even thought Its open during winters .. Also , it took  around 8 hrs for a hike till the wall st..

Dec 1st - 16:23pm | Melody G.

This story touches my heart. Its important to say, the good advice being given here is for a very fit, hiker in a certain age group. Truthfully most vacationing people overestimate their own capabilities. It's easy to do, and we've all been guilty of the mistake on some given trek. For safety sake, especially outside your home territory,  be painfully realistic, even overly cautious.

Nov 30th - 17:54pm | Terry Smyers

My sympathy to the family.  

Nov 30th - 17:14pm | Paul Kryder

It is nearly the dead of winter.  Too isolated a trip to do this time of year.  The combination of extreme cold and being wet for extended time periods (which you have no choice about when hiking the Narrows, since you must walk mostly IN the Virgin River, up to your waist at times) can be lethal.  They should have waited at least until April to do this trip.

Nov 30th - 07:32am | Louisiana Woodsman

Just last week in New Hampshire, a 20 yr old girl died from hypothermia after went hiking in a treacherous area in one the parks and took a fall.  She wasn't dressed appropriately for the weather, and had no survival gear whatsoever. People need to understand that there's more to this than taking a walk around the block at home...

Nov 29th - 03:17am | Cindy Nielsen

I have to respectfully disagree with some of your advice. Loading up on carbs prior is not helpful and science shows that during backpacking and long day hikes we use primarily fats as our main energy source. Check out the Gear Skeptic's evidence-based YouTube videos on fuel and nutrition and hydration during backpacking type activity.

Nov 28th - 14:52pm | Terry

Something to insulate you from the ground along with your space blanket

Nov 28th - 04:42am | Kris

The average does the bottom up

Nov 28th - 01:36am | Cheryl Foust

I lived/worked at the South Rim of Grand Canyon AZ in 1989. Unfortunately I saw unprepared hikers get themselves into trouble. Educate yourself about the hike and be prepared. 

Nov 27th - 21:58pm | Anonymous

All of the advice posted here is terrible. The Narrows top down should never be undertaken at this time of the year with anything less than a full body dry suit... in addition to any camping gear you're taking along (sleeping bag, tent) that should be rated for less than 20 degree temperatures 

Nov 27th - 18:20pm | Phil123

Not the same hike. Same trail.. but they did the upper part down that you cant access from the bottom. 

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park: "An Entirely New Kind Of Park"

Dec 4th - 18:35pm | A. Johnson

Why are federal tax dollars going to a federal park to support a tribe that is not recognized by the federal government? Because the NPS is growing more focused on appearances, than historical fact.  Sorry, that's the trend at NPS. 

Dec 4th - 09:03am | chris...

I forgot the link to the article on the Abanaki fight to preserve the actual heratige of the tribe https://vtdigger.org/2022/05/01/at-uvm-event-odanak-abenaki-question-the...

Dec 4th - 09:02am | chris...

The "Vermont Abanaki" are NOT a federally recognized tribe.  They are as native as someone like me who has a native in their ancestry line but are not actually descended from a line of native people.  Huge difference.  So much so the actual Abanaki people of Canada do not recognize the "Vermont Abanaki" as a tribe.  

Input Sought For Solutions To Crowding At Laurel Falls In Great Smoky Mountains

Dec 4th - 10:50am | SmokiesBackpacker

Chris, you are spot on. Superintendent Ca$$iu$ Ca$h should get an award for limiting access by taxpayers to taxpayer funded lands. Rec.gov will have their $14.  Mark this post. Doesn't matter what the comments are.  The NPS cares not.

Dec 2nd - 08:53am | chris...

the previous poster is correct- the NPS does not care.  If you have not noticed the "covid pandemic" gave the NPS the excuse to implement the recreation gov scam and all of the other plans to reduce visitation, increase costs, and expand the NPS foot print to block development.  

Land-Based Whale Waiting In The Gulf Islands To Honor Moby Doll

Dec 4th - 09:24am | Jennifer Bain

Thanks for the tip about San Juan Island - it would be great for its own story in 2023. To be clear, though, in my story I got to Saturna/East Point myself via a car ferry like everyone else. And you can do land-based whale watching in Greater Victoria at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard LIghthouse NHS (also mentioned in the story).

Dec 3rd - 22:42pm | Anonymously

Wish you would have at least pointed out that similar opportunities are available across the water in San Juan island national historical park. In fact, the park offers an extensive land based whale watching tour in the NPS app which makes finding whales accessible to far more people, most of whom don't get offered private boat rides by parcs Canada staff.  

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Dec 2nd - 15:22pm | Dale

 "most of the  dire warnings at parks are overblown"  when the warning/danger is real people don't take it seriously Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. 

Around The Parks: NPS Seeking Public Comment

Dec 1st - 18:38pm | SmokiesBackpacker

The NPS is not interested in your comments whatsoever. At all. And everyone that has ever dealt with them knows that. What they are doing is checking a box for the failed law known as the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. It requires them to collect feedback then summarily disregard it.

Room To Grow? For Parks In The Eastern U.S., More Than You Realize

Dec 1st - 11:24am | A. Johnson

But if the Park Service can work to overcome these challenges,   That's a yuuge "if", and history tells us that it cannot. Any visit to the crumbling structures in Cades Cove in Smoky Mtns NP shows that the NPS is not ready to meet any current challenges.  

Nov 29th - 23:30pm | Arcadia

Expanding parks has nothing to do with unaffordable housing. Especially not in the east, where less than 5 percent of the land base is recreation land. Parks are egalitarian, used by all people and popular across all demographic categories. 

A New Mexico National Park Road Trip

Nov 29th - 15:41pm | A. Johnson

Nice summary.

Nov 29th - 13:48pm | Stella Otto

Great summary of 3 very interesting parks. We vistied them in Octobe 2021 and spent 5 dyas camping at Badelier. That geve us a hub to take in Los Alamos NP as well as other area sites. It was an amazing and enchanting trip. I'm glad to hear thah the  Park Service will be opening the Kozlowski Trading Post. We only got to view it from outside.

UPDATED | Got Those Recreation.Gov Blues

Nov 29th - 15:16pm | Mike Sauber

I just discovered that Booz Allen gets all the money from the lottery system Of which single digit number of people get (90 or so percent of those lottery attempts money goes straight to Booz Allen). IF you are lucky enough to win a chance to camp/enter, THEN the money you pay goes to the park system.

Photography In The National Parks: Getting Great Smartphone Shots – Part 2

Nov 28th - 19:05pm | steve reed

I have a moto Z force droid with interchangable, modular backs. One is a battery booster, another is a polaroid 2"x3" color printer (great for sticking on the back of business cards), but the best is a hasselblad spec 10X optical zoom glass lens by carlZeiss which overrides the internal camera. It will shoot 16Mpix in 16x9 format, or a 21Mpix square format.

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