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Traveler's View: Rethink National Park Pass Fees

May 5th - 22:28pm | Megaera

The statistics I gave were the ones I was given by a ranger in the park at the time I was there eleven years ago.  That's what I get for not verifying them, I guess. But my original point still stands.  The most heavily-visited units in the park system need to be contributing.  And they're not.

May 5th - 15:40pm | y_p_w

Blackfeet Dreamer:

May 5th - 13:02pm | Blackfeet Dreamer

Here's a real life example of why it is a flawed system.  My girlfriend and I were planning on visiting at least 11 NPS units this year.  The $80 pass made me do the math; I thought for sure that I would still come out ahead but was just curious.  Because so many units are "no fee" or only $6 or so, it wasn't even close.  As a matter of fact, it was still even less than the old $50 pass.  If it

May 4th - 20:55pm | Bill

The numbers you give mean nothing without more info - Regional office employees are not GS-05's or WG-05's working seasonal without benefits, (as the vast majority of those in uniform in parks are) cleaning bathrooms, welcoming visitors or fixing trails.  Those "921" employees you mention are GS-12's and above, pushing 100K, and acting primarily in positions that spend most of their time and ef

May 4th - 13:24pm | y_p_w

Megaera: I have another brilliant idea. Figure out a way to circumvent the legalities that prevent the park service from charging fees at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So far as I know, it's a) the only major national park that *doesn't* charge fees, and b) the most-visited unit in the national park system.

May 4th - 12:52pm | Anonymous

The fee program is either politicized, or it's not. If it is, let's be clear about it. We choose to subisidize certain population groups, and not others. Seniors get a discount, like at Dennys. I'm not sure why we subsidize those with the largest motor homes, and the most time on their hands to visit national parks. But so be it.

May 4th - 09:34am | Rangertoo

Regarding Bill's comment about "bloated" regional offices. Where is that information coming from? According to the NPS Budget, in FY2000 the regional offices had 1068 FTE. In 2010, they had 921. Don't see a lot of bloat in there.

May 4th - 06:41am | Bob Janiskee

We need to clarify a few points, Megaera. (1) Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not the most heavily-visited of the 394 units in the National Park System. Although Great Smoky attracted a hefty 9.4 million visitors last year, that tally was eclipsed by both Blue Ridge Parkway (14.5 million) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (14.2 million).

May 3rd - 23:28pm | Megaera

I have another brilliant idea.  Figure out a way to circumvent the legalities that prevent the park service from charging fees at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  So far as I know, it's a) the only major national park that *doesn't* charge fees, and b) the most-visited unit in the national park system.  This is incredibly unfair to the rest of the parks, and the visitors to the rest of

May 3rd - 19:59pm | Bill

I think that those who support these fees beleive they are well spent on the parks they see that have many visitors and NEED additional funding.  Where most of the money goes, however, is actually to typical government wasteful administrative positions and initiatives, to bloated regional offices and external programs.  When this agency sees new money, it doesn't go towards more rangers, better

May 3rd - 19:30pm | Rangertoo

Don't forget, only about 1/3 of the parks charge an entrance fee. This is the biggest problem with fees. The money goes to the parks that collect the fees - which is not necessarily the same parks that need the money. Some parks cannot charge fees because it is not practical or they are prohibited from doing so. Those parks are left to fend for themselves in the era of diminishing budgets.

May 3rd - 16:39pm | Bob

I give a lot of talks on the national parks to senior-heavy groups.  I always ask them how they feel about fees.  They unanimously would like to pay higher fees.  Most of the seniors also like the idea of "young people" (variously defined) cheaper or free access, for the same reasons many people mentioned above.

May 3rd - 15:27pm | Anonymous

You've got to be kidding me. Use the fees for the cost of collecting fees? So the purpose of collecting fees is to provide employment for fee collectors. Of course we could eliminate fee collectors and charge nothing under the same partial train of thought.

May 3rd - 13:19pm | Rick Smith

Here's an idea to consider:  I am not in favor of eliminating all entrance fees, but I think the fees should be limited to cover the cost of their collection.  The entrance stations at many parks are some of the Service's most valuable law enforcement and visitor contact resources.  The entrance station ranger gets to see and talk to everyone who enters the park.  They are too valuable to give

Updated: Tornado Damage Leads To Closure of Some Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

May 5th - 20:21pm | PauletteB

I just got back from the Smokies and was in Gatlinburg during the storms (just horrific thunderstorms there). Rich Mountain Road out of Cades Cove was also closed last Thursday.

Tour Group Gets Up Close -- Too Close! -- To Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park

May 5th - 14:58pm | AnonymousD

How about establishing the fines as equal to the salary of one seasonal ranger, who would then be hired and stationed at the scene of the crime? Then NPS could increase vigilance while punishing the criminal element -- as DD 393 correctly called them -- in one fell swoop.

FAA Rules Might Ground Rocketman's Bid To Fly Over Grand Canyon On A 'Wingsuit'

May 5th - 14:52pm | AnonymousD

A $100,000 nonrefundable bond from these daredevil types for each and every such stunt might be a way for NPS to increase revenues. My concern is that too many of these bozos might actually come up with the funds.

May 5th - 12:11pm | Rick B.

I think it's more than that, LH. My question is: "Why do so many Darwin candidates choose the National Parks for their competition?"

May 5th - 05:26am | Lone Hiker

"Swiss daredevil"???  Me thinks not.  A true daredevil would first attempt to traverse an active volcano.  Or transgress North Korean airspace.  Being from Switzerland maybe he should try he homegrown Alps first.  Then maybe K2 or Everest.  Why does every nut in the world come HERE with their glory-seeking ambitions?

Updated: Wildfire Kills Four Florida Panther Kittens in Big Cypress National Preserve

May 5th - 11:52am | Andrew Block

Seems to me that they could've gone in and captured the kittens.  Atleast they'd have survived. 

Traveler's International Readership Expected to Show Dramatic Increases

May 5th - 11:51am | Lee Dalton

Kurt, et al, no matter where your readers come from, they'll always find something good to read. Thanks for all your work!  Any day I can't check out Traveler is a day I have to suffer pangs of withdrawl. By the way, what language does Captcha use?  It's Greek to me . . . .

May 5th - 08:01am | Kurt Repanshek

Lawrence, from time to time we do run stories on parks beyond U.S. borders -- last summer I wrote a bit about some Canadian parks, and in the past we ranked some of the top parks in the world -- but with our small staff and very limited resources it's difficult enough to cover the American parks.

May 5th - 05:47am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

I'd like to see an occasional Traveler feature article about national parks in other nations.

Tranquility and Beauty in Crater Lake National Park

May 5th - 10:33am | Ron

Indescribable Beauty each Crater Lake visitor must experience for themselvesfrom unimaginable volcanism demonstrating that Life on Planet Earthis resilient.  The Crater Lake National Park landscape seen today is theresult of 7,700 years of Change showing that life on Earth is Resilient.

Road Trip 2011: The National Park Lodges

May 5th - 09:46am | Kent

You are obviously living the good life.  Have a great trip. 

Man Arrested For Blowing Up Restroom at Saint Croix National Scenic River

May 5th - 07:35am | Old Zion Ranger

If this had taken place in the southeast, I would have bet that before he lit the fuse he said "...Hey y'all... hold my beer and watch this!"

May 4th - 17:26pm | Anonymous

There's a lesson here: Next time you're bored and high, don't pick a quiet piece of FEDERAL PROPERTY to "have fun" on.  Them Feds like having fun stuff to do.

May 4th - 16:31pm | Anonymous

The unibomber was a violent and disgruntled individual.  Charles Manson was a disgruntled individual.  Adolf Hitler was a violent and disgruntled individual.  The man who blows up a John in the midde of nowhere probably isn't disgruntled.  He probably isn't even overtly violent.  He was more than likely bored and high.

May 4th - 13:49pm | MikeSwan

My bet is that he liked thing that went boom and had terrible judgement. Stupid in any case. I detest vandalism and hope they slap him around some for all of us.

May 4th - 12:59pm | Anonymously-Yours

a remote practice session for something more urban down the road?    I can see why the government is becoming more concerned about home grown terrorism. This - on the heels of that disturbing incident at a Denver shopping mall - are definitely indicative of a trend of disgruntled individuals that are becoming more violent.

May 4th - 11:24am | Lone Hiker

I was taught that it was a sign of maturity to "let the easy ones go".  There are SO many good one-liners here I wouldn't know where to begin anyway.  Audience, fire away as you see fit.

National Park Mystery Spot 24: A Movie Critter Provides a Clue

May 5th - 05:41am | Bob Janiskee

You got it right too, celbert. Goood job.

May 4th - 14:46pm | Bob Janiskee

Anonymous out west has put it together correctly.

May 4th - 12:57pm | Bob Janiskee

RangerLady has gotten it right.

May 4th - 08:53am | Bob Janiskee

Steve K has figured it out too.

May 4th - 08:47am | Bob Janiskee

Ed123 has also figured it out. That makes three.

May 4th - 08:13am | Bob Janiskee

Anon 9:09 a.m. has also nailed it. That makes two so far.

May 4th - 06:17am | Bob Janiskee

Kudos to Davey J, who nailed it at 7:08 a.m. We'll continue to embargo the answer so other readers can take a crack at it.

May 4th - 05:46am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry, Chip; not Shark Valley.

May 4th - 05:12am | Chip

Is it the Everglades Shark Valley?

Jennifer Pharr Davis Hoping To Thru-Hike Appalachian Trail In Record Time

May 4th - 23:34pm | Jeremy Rettig

Hike your own hike.  Jennifer is no stranger to the trail and this is far from her first rodeo.  She has seen the trail at a walk-pace but has chosen to return to it (more than once) but on a quest to complete it in an incredibly short amount of time.  She clearly enjoys doing it, which should be all that matters.

War And Consequences: The American Indian Movement Vs. The National Park Service At Fort Laramie, Part II

May 4th - 16:43pm | Robert Clark

Dick Sellars has done a fine job in bringing to our attention the need for a broadened interpretation at Ft. Laramie. For those who impliment the interpretive framework, the task is certainly daunting. Should it be focused on a "site-specific" commentary? Or should it offer a broader context, encompassing the fort's impact on the West in general? Certainly Fort Laramie deserves more.

Fierce Winter Challenging Snow-Plowing Efforts In Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone National Parks

May 4th - 12:49pm | urbanmountainman

We've been holding our breath for Rocky Mountain NP. We're going mid June and weren't sure Trail Ridge would be open. Last year when we went to Glacier about the same time, the GTTSR was closed just before Logan's Pass =( Fingers crossed!

National Parks Road Trip 2011: Into the Lone Star State

May 4th - 09:02am | Ron and Lynda

We have decided to keep up with your trip as a reader this year.We missed a lot of your last trip and vow to "ride along" with you this time. Thanks for such practical tips; they will be particularly helpful when you get a bit closer to our area in the Northwest.

To Build, Or Not To Build, A New Bridge Over St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

May 4th - 07:06am | Anonymous

At this late hour, the day of the congressional hearing about this bridge, I suggest they consider building a tunnel instead of a bridge. If they can go under the English Channel, why not under the St. Croix?

The Case of the Indian Trader: Billy Malone And the National Park Service Investigation At Hubbell Trading Post

May 3rd - 22:46pm | Good Read

I recently read this book and it is a MUST READ for any NPS employee, especially law enforcement personnel.  It is well written and sourced.  Mr.

May 3rd - 17:50pm | Reality Check

Good advice, anonymous!  Have some "REAL" world experience, get humbled and bring it back to the Service and you will be of real value.  Of course you may be without a job if you aren't smart about it but you will bring something good to the conversation :).  Can't do it if you are looking for easy, lol!

May 3rd - 15:35pm | Anonymous

Just as Senator Palpatine embraced the young Anakin Skywalker. Walk away from the Dark Side. It's a Trap!!!

Reglueing Prehistoric Pots at the National Park Service's Western Archaeological and Conservation Center

May 3rd - 21:01pm | Anonymous

Wow. A vital part of the NPS and most of us may be completely unaware of its existence.

Array Of 17 Stations Will Help National Park Service Track Climate Events in Alaska

May 3rd - 14:31pm | d-2

Brad makes an interesting point.  Will these instruments compromise the park integrity and leave them impaired? 

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