| Page 1124 | National Parks Traveler

Tell that to the people who are losing their jobs because of what is being joked about. I again would expect the Traveler to follow its own code of conduct and from this point on will be only a reader as this is not what I want to contribute to. I will hold a copy of this article and remind myself everyday how an organization really feels when someone goes against their beliefs.

Apr 1st - 13:40pm | Anonymous

So, tell me Mark, do you consider the CAHA NPS Superintendent and Staff to be "Tight-Assed", as you quipped? Traveler's They are among those who objected, so you might wish to hold both your judgment and contempt until you have understood all the facts, although this statement kind of says it all:

Apr 1st - 13:36pm | Jeff Johnston

Perhaps an apology, at least, would be in order?

Apr 1st - 13:28pm | Laidlaw

Disappointing that you are caving to pressure from your audience. I didn't even get to read the story, but I frankly don't care how offensive it was- once you start basing your editorial decisions on "whos toes are we stepping on," it's a slippery slope.

Summer Special: Ten National Parks With Lodging For Under $100 Per Night, Tent Not Required

Apr 1st - 13:52pm | David Scott

The Inn, like the Ranch, offers different rates at different times of the year. This is the case for many national park lodges that are open most or all of the year. Although the Inn now closes for the summer season, it was open year-round for a number of years.

Apr 1st - 10:47am | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek: YPW, at Death Valley, the reference in this story was to the lodges at Panamint Springs and Stovepipe Wells. And you're right, the inn isn't open during the off-season, so you definitely won't find a room for $100 a night there then.;-) There was an earlier reference to the Furnace Creek Inn in the off-season.

Apr 1st - 00:09am | Kurt Repanshek

YPW, at Death Valley, the reference in this story was to the lodges at Panamint Springs and Stovepipe Wells. And you're right, the inn isn't open during the off-season, so you definitely won't find a room for $100 a night there then.;-)

Mar 31st - 23:33pm | y_p_w

I would note that there is no "off-season" at Furnace Creek Inn. They completely shut down during the low-visitation season. I think most people aren't keen on playing golf or taking a horse ride when it's 120 degrees outside. Also - the Xanterra properties within Death Valley are apparently private inholdings where they're not subject to NPS approval of their rates.

Mar 30th - 22:24pm | Nils Brubaker

2 years ago I stayed in a Pioneer cabin at Lake Lodge, and a Frontier cabin at Canyon (Yellowstone). Very satisfied with the affordable price and decent accommodations.

Mar 30th - 16:13pm | Jenn Grover

I used Priceline and got great deals on all my hotels for my 2 week trip to Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Zion the Grand Canyon, and Petrified Forest last year. I reserved in advance to make sure I had a place to stay, though and was glad because most were sold out when I checked in.

Mar 30th - 15:18pm | Lee Dalton

I'll stick to the tent.

Summer Special: Paddling in the National Parks

Apr 1st - 11:39am | Barb West

You missed one of the greatest paddling destinations in the NPS system -- Voyageurs National Park -- named for the intrepid cannoe men who were the backbone of the North American fur trade. In addition to 4 large lakes that are great for sea kayaks as well, there are a number of interior lakes where NPS has canoes for people to rent.

Yellowstone National Park's Wolf Population Down More than 25 Percent

Apr 1st - 10:20am | noah Reeder

the way it sounds is that manly they are killing each other it is not our problem i mean we cant interfere it's there way of life i can understand why you are botherd but it is not our prblem people wake up and smell the coffee

Reader Participation Day: What's On Your National Park Bucket List?

Apr 1st - 09:10am | Zack Frank

The plan is to photograph all 58 National Parks. I've shot 30 so far since 2007, (http://www.frankrabold.com/nationalparks) so only 28 more to go...

Mar 31st - 08:38am | Brad

North Cascades NP here in America, and Gros Morne NP in Canada.

Mar 30th - 22:35pm | Sabattis

At the top of my bucket list as a whitewater rafting trip through "The Gates" at Aniakchak National Monument... That just seems like such an unbelievable experience!

Mar 30th - 21:20pm | Anonymous

Arches, Canyonlands, Denali, Hawaii Volcanoes (was there in 1974, before the eruptions began, so would like to see it again).

Mar 30th - 16:29pm | Rafi K.

Over the years, I've been to 47 out of 50 U.S. States, much of it tent camping in the U.S. National Parks (by the way, the Canadian National and Provincial Parks are not too 'shaby' either, having been to many of them from B.C. to Newfoundland).

By The Numbers: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Apr 1st - 02:21am | Parag

Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a vacation all in its self.

Summer Special: Choosing A National Park River To Float

Mar 31st - 23:48pm | Peter Grubb

Great article Kurt. In addition there are rivers in our National Recreation Areas such as the Snake River in Hells Canyon NRA. So many choices for people. We are blessed to live in a country that values wild rivers and has so many that are healthy and available for recreation.

Mar 31st - 12:46pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ahhh, Ranger Bill, we didn't forget to mention it. Come back tomorrow to read the post on paddling opportunities in the park system. Today's story was simply aimed at providing folks with some of the things they need to consider when contemplating a national park paddle.

Mar 31st - 11:42am | Ranger Bill

How can you forget to mention the Current River in Ozark National Scenic Riverways? Ozark NSR is the very first national park specifically to protect a rivr system. Without it there would be no other national rivers.

U.S. Senator, Colorado Governor Lobby National Park Service To Allow Bike Race Through Colorado National Monument

Mar 31st - 23:41pm | y_p_w

Well - apparently this particular bike race stage isn't one where the impacts are only for the time that the riders are going through. They'll need to prepare the course and want to make sure that it's clear for the riders.

Mar 31st - 23:02pm | imtnbke

@Marjorie: I've seen energy food packets on trails after professional mountain bike races, so I know what you're talking about. This, however, is a road race. It would be only on paved roads.

Mar 31st - 13:03pm | WWW

Film shoots don't allow closure to the public for generally more than 15 minutes at a time. There could certainly be exceptions to that but then that park is probably not doing a good job at permitting. Helicopters are seldom used and again, if approved, only for very short periods of time. Unfortunately the NPS does not control the airspace above the parks and so unless a helicopter is basi

Mar 31st - 11:40am | Anonymous

If the NPS is not going to allow a bike race because 1) it requires helicopters, 2) it requires closure and 3) some one will make money, then the NPS should ban all film production in the national parks because they have been doing all these things since 1910. A bike race is really no different than a film shoot except its over much faster.

Summer Special: Breathtaking, Bighorns, and Blossoms: Hiking Yellowstone’s Mount Washburn

Mar 31st - 21:47pm | Yellowstone Ed

My wife and I have hiked up Washburn from June to September 14 times and have seen 20' snowdrifts, thousands of ladybugs emerging from hibernation in late June, a Rufous hummingbird feeding on thistle near the summit in August and a snow squall the same day. We were almost run over by two adolescent rams while picnicking on the spur trail.

Mar 31st - 14:09pm | Jenny

I'm jealous that you can see Electric Peak from your kitchen window...climbed that peak in the summer of 2005 and it is one of the best hikes I've ever done.

Mar 31st - 10:21am | Lee Dalton

The most amazing thing about my Hike up Washburn last summer was that I found only one piece of litter -- and NO cigarette butts. Isn't it a shame when something like is more remarkable than the fantastic wildflowers and scenery?

Mar 31st - 08:47am | David Crowl

Mount Washburn holds a special place in my heart also. I also remember seeing marmots and pika besides the seeing the largest horns I have ever seen on a bighorn.The wild flowers are amazing. If you have the luxury of two vehicles or meet some one doing the hike who can get you back to your vehicle, it can be nice to go up one way and come down the other side.

Traveler Welcomes Eastern National and O.A.R.S.

Mar 31st - 16:40pm | Danny Bernstein

Welcome Eastern National! It's great that they're supporting National Parks Traveler. I bought my two granddaughters National Parks passports. I won't leave them land or jewels but I hope to leave them the love of National Parks. WHo knows how many they'll have before they're old enough to visit the parks by themselves?

Updated: Big Bend National Park Proposing To Cut Mountain Bike Trail, PEER, NPS Retirees Raise Objections

Mar 31st - 13:36pm | Ron Saunders

OK Guys Hopefully those that we are poking at are laughing, as they should be. But, in the event they are not, we don't want Kurt to feel we are Inappropriately using his forum for activity that may be cause for concern. We should be good stewards. Oops ! Dang that stuff is contagious.

Mar 31st - 11:44am | imtnbke

I think Zebulon's comment was highly appropriate in the context of the stewardship considerations that resource management must conceptualize. Now we must engage key players to progressively take appropriate action steps in furtherance of appropriate objectives for a stakeholder-based transparent sustainability process. :-)

Mar 30th - 22:18pm | Zebulon

Kurt, I appreciate that you facilitate a civil discourse on the issue. Personnally, I really don't see anything thorny about the bicycling issue, but that's my bias. :)

Mar 30th - 14:06pm | Matt Stubbs

Heck electricity is not even secifically authorized. Are you allowed to carry cell phones? PDA's? GPS? Bikes when the NPS was specifically authorized looked like this... http://www.firstflightbikes.com/1900_Hoefler.htm

Trickle of Documents Highlights National Park Service's Mistakes In Hubbell Trading Post Investigation

Mar 31st - 10:41am | Kurt Repanshek

For what it's worth, a copy of the book is en route to the Traveler for review. If you want your own copy, it can be had now for $35 from the University of New Mexico Press.

Mar 31st - 10:38am | Transparent :)

I'm guessing there might be something learned beyond the PR wars and not just an assault. There is soooo much untruthful agenda driven stuff all around us. No doubt it will always be so but we could look at what we hear and read more critically and try and see the end game. Could be fun :). So where is the book available, Lawrence?

Mar 30th - 21:35pm | Hank Blair

The book is out boys and girls. I know it is banned and prohibited reading for Park Service employees. But the Billy Malone book is out!!!! The truth is out and it shall set you free!!!! Read it and weep all the way from ocean to ocean to ocean, Denver to Washington. Hide yee weak hearted infidels!

National Park Mystery Photo 34 Revealed: Did You See Who's In Lockup In The National Park System?

Mar 31st - 10:28am | Something

Interesting points you bring up Lawrence. There is something in me that has me thinking that the owner of the mentioned concessionaire has the character and the will to initiate a positive change in his corporation that is so enmeshed with some of the greatest treasures both geologic and individually personally rewarding environments in the world. Just something in me that gives me hope.

Mar 31st - 10:17am | Lee Dalton

There has to be much more to this story. A "Toyota party for Scion owners. . . ?" We need Paul Harvey to tell us the rest of the story.

Mar 31st - 06:59am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

Hmmm. Well it certainly brings up an interesting twist in my mind. Last week I was talking to some folks from Hilton Corp.

Congress Slashes $101 Million From National Park Service Budget. More To Come?

Mar 30th - 21:27pm | anonymous

So what is the NPS official statement on "personal property rights" and what they have meant to the cultural and economic history of the US? Is it the function to diminish personal rights for the diminished "greater good" of the populous? Just so we can read or hear about it through interps presentation of history or can we yet experience it?

Summer Special: What’s Old is New Again: Bandelier National Monument Sheds Light on the Ancestral Homeland of Five Modern Pueblos

Mar 30th - 20:27pm | Bob Janiskee

A tip of the hat to you, Nicky. You're a fine writer, and you've got me excited about visiting Bandalier.

These Ingenious "Meta-Bottles" Carry an Important Message from Point Reyes National Seashore

Mar 30th - 19:49pm | Anonymous

You are correct dalton, the audience will be too small. That though, is why we are doing this. We are picking up trash, making art, and trying to get the rest of the world participating in this mission. We are trying to help the world. One person can make a difference. If you think this is cool, I suggest you go onto coastodian.org and pass it on. Sethra May

Enter Traveler's "Take Your Family to the National Parks" Essay Contest!

Mar 30th - 16:42pm | Summer

I emailed my essay back in march but im unsure if you got it.

Odds and Ends -- Bears and Guns, Shuttles, Roads, Cycling, and More -- From Around the National Park System

Mar 30th - 15:24pm | Lee Dalton

I'm continually in awe of the amount of time, effort and talent you guys spend on making this website possible and useful for all the rest of us. Thanks!

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