National Parks Traveler Episode 54: Colorado River Economics, Rebranding Bandelier National Monument

By NPT Staff - February 23rd, 2020

In recent years there has been a movement of sorts to rebrand units of the National Park System as “national parks,” a movement motivated in large part by the economic boost such a redesignation is hoped to have. But in New Mexico a group is opposed to turning Bandelier National Monument into Bandelier National Park. We discuss that issue with Tom Ribe, executive director of Caldera Action.

But first, we continue our series on how the health of the Colorado River impacts Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah. To get a better understanding of the river economics in play, we reached out to Megan Lawson, an economist with Headwaters Economics.

And for bonus content, an audio version of RVing The Parks | Choose Your National Park RV Carefully.

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode introduction with Kurt Repanshek
2:24 Megan Lawson of Headwaters Economics discusses Colorado River economics and the impacts on Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
15:35 The Water Desk promotion
15:56 National Parks Traveler promotion
16:10 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation promotion
16:36 Friends of Acadia promotion
17:06 RVShare.com promotion
17:46 Tom Ribe, executive director of Caldera Action, discusses the attempted rebranding of Bandelier National Monument as Bandelier National Park
39:35 Washington's National Park Fund promotion
40:10 Grand Teton National Park Foundation promotion
40:41 Yankee Freedom promotion
41:16 North Cascades Institute promotion
41:58 RVingThe Parks | Choose Your National Park RV Carefully
50:29 Episode closing
50:48 Orange Tree Productions promotion
51:22 National Parks Traveler footer

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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.