| Page 1187 | National Parks Traveler

While growing up in SE Pennsylvania, spotting an occasional deer was exciting. Now, since living in Valley Forge for 25 years I have witnessed the deer population increase to a level where they can be seen in large numbers day and night all over and around Valley Forge Park. And, at home, very little vegetation survives on my property due to their 'round the clock activity.

Oct 8th - 08:30am | Kurt Repanshek

Obviously I've written too many elk culling stories from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Wind Cave National Park! Thanks for the copy-editing. It has been corrected.

Oct 8th - 08:24am | Anonymous

why does the subject say Culling "ELK"

Dark Skies in National Parks Make It Easy to Spot the Space Station: Here's How to Look for It

Oct 8th - 13:22pm | David Smith

Bob - Thanks so much for the great story and links to the website from NASA - what a great partnership.

National Park Hospitality Association Wants More Lodging In The Parks

Oct 8th - 11:57am | y_p_w

Emily:

Oct 7th - 23:24pm | Emily

I'm from Upstate New York, and when I visited Yosemite National Park I flew in. I had enough stuff and paid enough fees without having to take all of my camping gear with me. Also, the climate there is much different from here, so I wouldn't know what to expect if I were camping there.

Oct 7th - 09:32am | Wyomingite

If I were God, concerning our National Parks, I'd rip out all the expensive and trashy souvenir shops, lodges, restaurants,gas stations, paved roads, boat docks and everything else Man has installed. I'd allow a few unpaved roads for access. At all entry points, there would be a sign that said "From this point onward, you're on your own. Enjoy and good luck."

Oct 7th - 05:53am | Sabattis

I'll start off by seconding the comments of others here and saying that if you don't there's enough lodging available at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then you're not paying attention - and certainly have never been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN.

You Can Hear Them Now - Oregon Caves National Monument Upgrades Communications with the Underground

Oct 8th - 08:18am | Gaelyn

As a Ranger that worked at Oregon Caves I'm very glad to hear they've updated the old antiquated communication system.

Yellowstone National Park Eclipses Visitation Mark For The Year...Three Months Early

Oct 7th - 20:07pm | Zack

The Thorofare was nice and quiet when I was there in August!

Oct 6th - 17:52pm | Kurt Repanshek

Anonymous, this information is dated by four years, but it's probably still in the ballpark. It comes from the Park Studies Unit at the University of Idaho. International visitors, comprising 10% of the total visitation, were from Canada (25%), Netherlands (17%), Germany (10%), United Kingdom (9%), Italy (7%), and 17 other countries.

Oct 6th - 17:39pm | Anonymous

We visited Yellowstone in August of this year for the fourth time with our Granddaughter (her first visit). I could not believe the amount of people and very heavy traffic. Most folks were from other countries.....maybe we need more Americans in the parks! Is their a record of what percent of countries are represented?

Oct 6th - 14:32pm | Michael Kellett

We have been told for years that people don't visit national parks anymore because they're all playing video games. I never believed that claim. This is clear proof that it is false. We need a lot more national parks across the country, so all Americans -- even if they live in New England or the Midwest -- have the opportunity to visit parks nearby.

Oct 6th - 06:01am | Anonymous

I am proud to say we were one of those visitors in the month of Aug.

In Race To Halt Spread of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats, USFWS Grants $1.6 Million For Research

Oct 7th - 16:41pm | tomp

White Nose Syndrome is a bigger issue for NPS than your post might suggest. Your list includes only perhaps half or less of the NPS units with substantial caves, the ones with caves developed for or receiving visitor use.

Reader Participation Day: Can We Afford to Save All Historic Lodges in National Parks?

Oct 7th - 15:19pm | Anonymous

Consider the case of Crater Lake Lodge completely rebuilt and reopened for the 1995 season. The historic problems were not completely corrected in that the Lodge Dining Room remains too small to be functional: only 72 chairs (better be patient for evening dinner reservations now priced at twice their true value) with

Oct 7th - 12:20pm | y_p_w

Derrick Crandall: Ever wonder why Marriott, or Hilton, or even Choice hotels don't bid on concessions? Pretty simple. Way too much risk -- weather, fire, government shut-downs and more -- and no way to equal the economic gain when you buy and manage the land and improvements just outside a park.

Oct 7th - 01:47am | y_p_w

I stayed in a Roughrider Cabin, and there wasn't a thing I would change about it. I actually enjoyed the smell of wood smoke from the logs I stuffed into the stove - that heated the cabin. The other key was that the bathrooms were thoroughly modern. The structural improvements to the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite are going to be in the tens of millions. I think it's well worth it.

Oct 6th - 19:12pm | NPS Survivor

Ok. There is a certain amount of sticker shock that goes with restoration of historic accomodations...until you factor in time, quality of materials, patina, historical value, and a number of other non-monetary considerations. If you factor in time alone, the cost of these lodges are many times ridiculously low---that comes with amortization over 80-100 years instead of 20 years.

Oct 6th - 18:12pm | Derrick Crandall

The question was asked -- do concessioners pay NPS to operate in the parks? And the answer is most assuredly yes. First -- concessions contracts are generally only ten years in length. The contract specifies the percentage of gross revenues which goes to the NPS -- and nationally, concessioner franchise fees are now approaching $80 million annually.

Oct 6th - 17:33pm | Dick

They absolutely can be saved and should be.

Oct 6th - 13:55pm | Kate

Do the concessionaires pay anything to the parks for the right to sell things? If not, there should be a percentage of what they make that goes back to the park and could be used for maintenance. As a former restaurant owner, I sometimes look at how busy the park restaurants are and the service is always lousy! Think what they could do if they were efficient!

Oct 6th - 13:45pm | Robert M. Utley

This is a false issue. Virtually every one of these old hotels and lodges is on the National Register of Historic Places and cannot be destroyed or even damaged without compliance with Sec. 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and NEPA. Nor should they. They are significant cultural resources conveying an important part of the park story.

Oct 6th - 12:55pm | Anonymous

Let's not forget that the NPS is making the investments and the concessioner is making the profits. Is this really the right model for these historic lodges?

Oct 6th - 09:54am | Anonymous

I had the opportunity to stay in one of the 1920s "Pioneer" cabins near Lake Lodge at Yellowstone this summer. It was spartan - shower stall, toilet, sink, bed - no telephone, no TV, no AC. It had been maintained well enough, but looked like it hadn't been updated since the 1950s. But it was, nonetheless, a great stay.

Oct 6th - 08:10am | Derrick Crandall

As with most things in life, there is no simple answer to your question, Kurt. In many cases, key portions of historic structures can and should be preserved -- but the buildings can also be brought up to modern standards of energy efficiency, access and more. Look at what has just been done at Fort Baker in Sausalito.

Oct 6th - 08:06am | Lawrence J Caldwell

There's never an easy answer. To witness the razing of the Old Faithful Inn for example, stare at the ugly scar for however long it takes to erect a replacement, and survive with the memories of the grand old place that was, may be too much to bear. Save it no matter the cost. Do whatever it takes to keep it alive.

Oct 6th - 07:47am | Becky

Leave Many Glacier Hotel alone! Raze it, my rear!!!!!!!!!!!!! That hotel is as much a part of the Park as Chief Mountain is! That is heritage, folks, and we should preserve it! Rehabbing it though is hindered by the National Historic Marker designation. It needs to be updated - with better windows, better chinking between the logs, etc.

Kings Canyon National Park Officials Seeking Input on Park Concessions

Oct 7th - 12:28pm | y_p_w

I loved staying in a rustic cabin there, although it would have been better if the heater was working. Also - I was having problems with my door and key. I had to jiggle the key the right way to turn it, and the door didn't close very well. They could certainly use some basic maintenance on the place. I don't see adding a few more cabins destroying the nature of the place.

Isle Royale National Park's Wolf Population Loses Two Packs, Moose Population Steady

Oct 7th - 10:06am | Anonymous

Hi, I have been trying to find updates on how the wolves faired this spring and summer, to no avail. Can anyone help guide me? We were on IR in July and I swear we heard wolf pups howling! I certainly hope this is the case . . . thank you!

Yellowstone Geologist Worries About What Goes "Bump" At Night

Oct 7th - 07:02am | Vijay

Yellowstone the great:::::: Here I come - humble and only wanting to be more so.

Midnight Mission Plucks Climber off Mount McKinley in Denali National Park and Preserve

Oct 6th - 23:36pm | Anonymous

@ Lamadriver: It is simply not true that you cannot climb in Europe without a guide or a climbing bond.

Dan Wenk Moving From NPS Headquarters to Yellowstone National Park as Superintendent

Oct 6th - 18:10pm | Anonymous

Having worked in a park at the same time as Mr. Wenk, I say he is likely to do whatever is most politically expedient, rather than that which is best for the protection of park resources.

Oct 6th - 15:44pm | Anonymous

Editor/Readers: With the selection of Supt. Wenk to Yellowstone, I have many concerns that the "DC look" of "monumentization" could spread from Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone. Be on guard! "Old Timer"

Oct 6th - 14:39pm | Rick Smith

Back to the article's main point: I think this is a good appointment. Dan has the respect of those who work in parks; he has good relations with the Department; and he has a diversity of experience upon which to draw, something he will need as he deals with the full plate of issues that he will be served as the new Superintendent of the park. I wish him well. Rick

Oct 6th - 13:20pm | John

Agreed -- why people celebrate a million visitors in a month during the summer but decry a couple hundred snowmobiles per day using clean technology engines and limited to less than 2 percent of park land is beyond me. Any reasonable person who can step back and look at this thing rationally realizes that it's all about politics and misinformation.

Oct 6th - 12:43pm | Connie Hopkins

Here we go again-the endless snow machine versus no snow machine debate. There is no resolution to this that will make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time!

Oct 6th - 00:56am | Raven

He was probably referring to the same studies I've read that were conducted after the change in rules, the same ones that also don't focus on the negatives of snowmobiles, but on the issues and benefits of the various vehicles used in winter, pointing out the lack of perceived harm from snowmobiles and the lack of perceived good from snowcoaches.

There Was No Happy Thanksgiving for the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island

Oct 6th - 14:33pm | Anonymous

They went to Ohanoak. Cheasapeake, Hampton Roads. William Strachey.

Exploring Canyonlands And Arches National Parks By RV

Oct 6th - 13:49pm | tomp

Gaelyn--

Oct 6th - 12:04pm | Anonymous

Thank you! That helps a bunch!

Flash Flood Damages Callville Bay Marina at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Oct 6th - 11:18am | Lee

You can see 100's of photos of the damage at Callville Bay Marina here: http://www.lakemeadtoday.com/callvillebaystorm.php

Oct 6th - 09:50am | Gaelyn

And it's still coming.

Sheep Fire in Kings Canyon National Park Spreads Beyond 1,800 Acres

Oct 6th - 04:27am | Anonymous

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience..I just want to let you know that you were not in the forest service area..I live up there..Where you were staying is a National Park..We try our best to protect and preserve the National Park..The fire was started by lighting..Nature..The forest service is way different from the National Parks..We do hope you come again..It's been a strange summer up

Young Woman Dies After Being Submerged in Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park

Oct 6th - 01:12am | Taiwanese

I m so shocked that the news in tw didn't even report this accident. The young and brilliant lady died in foreign country..rest in peace.

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