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National Parks To Visit Now

Feb 22nd - 00:41am | Jenny

While Organ Pipe borders Mexico, that area is back country wilderness. Very few visitors go there. The majority of Organ Pipe is several miles from the border and is almost never used for drug trafficking. Almost all of that comes through Border Patrol checkpoints such as San Diego and El Paso.

Feb 21st - 10:46am | A. Johnson

I've not been to those AZ parks (Sagauro and Organ Pipe).  Ms. Bain's post was thorough introduction as well..   Are you sure the dangers near the border have not been understated?

UPDATE | Lawsuit Alleges Recreation.Gov Is Cluttered With "Junk Fees," Seeks Refunds

Feb 21st - 16:11pm | Mike B

$10 per each application to be entered in a permit lottery in Yosemite.  Even assuming that the number of applicants hasn't increased since 2016, that means BAH is getting over $225,000 in fees for applications for a John Muir Trail permit.  Meanwhile, the park is only getting $5 for each permit issued, or approximately $16,000.  Does it seem fair to anyone that Booz Allen gets approximately 15

Feb 18th - 00:57am | Natali Swan

way too much fees on adding or removing days on existing reservation. It should be at least 24 hours  given to adjust reservation without fees and do not lock reservation for ten days right after booking.

Take A Virtual Tour Of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park With This Video

Feb 21st - 10:57am | hi

i love it. its dramatic  

National Park Service Seeks To End Concessions Contract At Crater Lake National Park

Feb 21st - 10:53am | Stephen Kibbey

One has to wonder how Aramark handles its concessions in other national parks? I doubt that this is an isolated incident(s).

Feb 19th - 10:56am | A. Johnson

I have no love for Aramark. But, what indication do we have that any other concessionarie would be any better?   And how much is the fault of the NPS?  Anyone remember the water supply problems at CL?  Then the NPS dug a well in 2017, and by 2022 it was in need of repairs, resulting in shortages once again.

The Battle For The Skies Over National Parks Drags On

Feb 20th - 17:36pm | Ranger

This is not 100% correct.  You cannot launch or land a drone in National Park, but you can operate one over a park from taking off and landing outside of the park.

Feb 17th - 08:57am | Sierra Mark

The NOISE raining down from choppers overhead really spoils any wilderness experience for me. Sorry Mr Schlafli.

Feb 17th - 08:33am | Jen

Regulations ban operation of a drone in a national park as well as launching or landing one. 

Feb 14th - 19:19pm | William Baehr

Great points. Drones can flyover Parks as long as they don't take off or land in the Park.

Feb 14th - 12:02pm | A. Johnson

"These sites are our relatives and as important to us as any church, synagogue, or temple to the outside world   #1.  Where's the archeological evidence that modern Navajos are descended from the builders or original occupants of the cliffdwellers?  

Padre Island National Seashore: Wintering Grounds For Sandhill Cranes

Feb 19th - 21:17pm | PJ

I live in the western part of KY. Every fall I can hear them but never see them. It always brings a smile to my face to hear them. I am going to go visit them in Port  Aransas TX. I don't know if the ones in TX are the ones that fly over KY. but it would be interesting to know. 

Wolves Have Not Completely Restored Yellowstone National Park's Ecosystem

Feb 19th - 18:22pm | Stuiterbal

Interesting article. Thanks for the summary

Feb 19th - 10:50am | A. Johnson

Interesting research.   Thanks for highlighting it.

Maine Officials Deny Mine Proposed Near Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument

Feb 19th - 11:47am | A. Johnson

I fully understand the need to protect the Katadin Woods NM, but this development was NOT IN the NM.  If those wishiing to further protect adjacent lands to Katadin NM, then they should buy it and get it included in the NM.

Moose Reduction Program At Gros Morne National Park Entering Second Decade

Feb 18th - 11:08am | LJ

Why not relocate some of the moose to the US? I read that in Wisconsin the numbers are dwindling. 

Blue Ridge Parkway Proposing Increase In Camping Fees

Feb 17th - 08:15am | William T Doggette

The new fees are reasonable. A discount for those with Senior Card or equivalent would be appreciated.

PEER: Point Reyes National Seashore Cattle Deals Cost Taxpayers

Feb 17th - 08:12am | Kenneth Bouley

Judy,

Feb 17th - 08:06am | Kenneth Bouley

Sarah,

Feb 15th - 09:17am | A. Johnson

 isn't it worth assuming that since they have lawyers on staff, some of the salaries went for legal work? And some likely went to outside attorneys?   Now you're the one asssuming that PEER is using their "salaries" for legal assistance and resources for whistleblowers.  

Feb 15th - 09:12am | A. Johnson

When the messenger has an obviously  biased agenda, and has a vested interest in promoting that agenda, yes it's legitimate and NECESSARY to an informed discussion to point that out.  

Feb 14th - 16:34pm | Kurt Repanshek

Well, according to that 990, while salaries and benefits totaled $1.05 million for tax year 2021, expenses totaled $1.77 million and Program Service expenses totaled $1.5 million. Without discussing the 990 with PEER, isn't it worth assuming that since they have lawyers on staff, some of the salaries went for legal work? And some likely went to outside attorneys?

Feb 14th - 16:28pm | Hugh A. Kuhn

Ah, so many willing to shoot the messenger vs contemplate the message. Sad state of the country these days. There are valid arguments on both sides of the PRNS leases, cattle, elk, etc. but certainly how PEER is funded, or the work they do, are not pertinent to the true matter at hand. Neither Ali's fear mongering about how those ranchers are going to save us all when an earthquake strikes.

Feb 14th - 16:08pm | A. Johnson

According to PEER's IRS Form 990 for 2021 (latest year available) Total Revenues:  $1,177,000 Salaries & benefits paid:  $1,055,000 So, that leaves $122,000 for  legal assistance and resources to whistleblowers.    Okay.

Feb 14th - 14:29pm | Judy Teichman

You report that PEER argues that "These purely commercial operations serve no park purpose," and that "barbed wire fences restrict park visitors from entering the leased dairy and ranch lands."  Are your readers and PEER aware that the Point Reyes National Seashore is on the Pacific Tectonic Plate?  That it is separated from the American Tectonic Plate by the San Andreas Fault

Feb 14th - 12:29pm | Kurt Repanshek

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) is a left-of-center organization that provides legal assistance and resources to whistleblowers who speak out about environmental issues in state and federal agencies. PEER is funded both by donations and payouts from lawsuits and settlements.

Feb 14th - 12:17pm | Anonymous

 "Taxpayers should not be obligated to subsidize these private businesses."   YEAH!  Taxpayers should be obligated to subsidized public employees like those members of PEER!   The hypocrisy of public employes whining about taxpayer funding of other entities lacks an amazing amount of self-awareness. 

Feb 14th - 08:18am | Sarah Rolph

I would have liked to see some reporting here beyond the press release. Why is PEER doing this? Why now? Has something changed? Do they have a relationship with the litigants working against the ranchers? Do they have a relationship with the Seashore? More importantly, does it make sense to compare these ranch agreements with private-sector leases?

Feb 13th - 17:00pm | Judy Austin

Make them pay like everyone else 

Remains Of Man Who Went Missing At Mesa Verde National Park Found

Feb 16th - 23:43pm | Helena

I think a lot of people want every death in this circumstance to be a murder for their own entertainment. They don't necessarily know what happened that day and think the news and all the shows give all the info. People do odd things, the person who search that area could have taken their eyes off the ground for a second and that's where he was.

Now's Your Chance To Kayak In Death Valley National Park

Feb 16th - 17:29pm | Angie Rayborn

This looks very cool! Death Valley was a very interesting adventure on a spring break with kids! Looks like kayaking and revisiting the park after rain would be worth the trip! Thank You!

The Nature Conservancy Has Secured Preservation Of 8,000 Acres In Alabama's Mobile-Tensaw Watershed

Feb 16th - 10:26am | Jim Gramann

I was at an international conference in Mobile several years ago, and some of the local people I met were pushing NPS status for this area. The late E. O. Wilson supported it, too. Thanks for stepping up, Nature Conservancy!

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 260 | California Mountain Lions

Feb 16th - 05:43am | Mary Hannigan

There have been so many thousands of acres of forested land that have burned in the last ten years that the lions are running out of places to live. And how many have lost their lives in the fires? Not a winning situation for the animals or people. 

National Park Service Continues To Languish In "Best Places To Work" Survey

Feb 15th - 21:46pm | RW

NPS needs a complete makeover. The agency is top heavy with superintendents that pull three figure salaries but lack leadership skills to organize and retain good employees. I saw this first hand which is now being handled by EEOC. Smaller parks are not only understaffed but managers and superintendents rely heavily on volunteers and contractors to maintain some parks.

Sierra Club Chapter Launches Petition Drive Over Padre Island Sea Turtle Program

Feb 15th - 19:12pm | Craig Nazor

Human nest robbing is not the only threat to Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Kemp's ridley populations in the Gulf of Mexico increased until 2010 and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, but have since stagnated. The three-year-late USFW Service five-year report (just released) says they have not yet recovered.

Feb 15th - 17:25pm | Robert Algeo

In fact, more than a total of $2mil went to the sea turtle program at PAIS, in 2019, 20, 21 and 22, according to the NPS review, even though only 1% of Kemp's ridley nests are found in Texas (nearly all are found in Mexico).  That's over $10,000 per nest found annually in PAIS.  According to Larry McKinney (Senior Director of the Harte Marine Reasearch Institute in Corpus Christi, Texas) Viagra

Feb 15th - 13:53pm | BCKenner

People should also be aware that the sea turtle program brings thousands of visitors to the park for the hatchling releases. The program supports interpretive programs about the turtles. Most of all Padre Island has become a key factor in recovery for multiple endangered turtle species, particularly Kemp's ridley.

Feb 15th - 13:40pm | BCKenner

$1.9 million may be a lot, but the park received multiple base funding increases specifically for the sea turtle program and the program director hustled to get soft (short term) funds to supplement. The program should continue to get the base funding and the director should be supported in efforts to continue to get soft funding via competitive proposals. It should be up to her.

Feb 15th - 09:45am | Charles W. Cail...

Reintroduction of Kemp's ridley to Padre Island National Seashore was part of the U.S.-Mexico Kemp's Ridley Restoration and Enhancement Program initiated in 1978. See:  Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) Head-Start and Reintroduction to Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

Feb 14th - 20:10pm | Nick W.

I'm all for helping to protect sea turtles but $1.9 million annually seems insane for a single species. Per the article the main resource management division gets less the $250k annually.

Heading To Cape Cod National Seashore? Download The Sharktivity App

Feb 15th - 16:38pm | david s kreuzer

Nice app

Lewis Temple And His Impact on 19th Century Whaling

Feb 15th - 14:47pm | SDB

I understand that he sued the city of New Bedford and won a judgement of $2000. He was never given the money. I wonder if ithe town of New Bedford ever made good and paid his decendants with interest?

Walking with George

Feb 14th - 14:04pm | Bob Pahre

Thank you, A.J. When thinking about history, I like to check in on what contemporaries said. W.E.B. DuBois's essay on Booker T. Washington, some of which would also apply to George Washington Carver, is relevant for that kind of thinking.

The Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks

Feb 13th - 16:51pm | Kurt Repanshek

Sorry Bill, it's only available as an app.

Feb 13th - 16:42pm | Bill B

This link comes up as not available... any update on where to get this besides on my phone?

Get Your Free National Parks "Owner's Guide" From The National Park Foundation

Feb 13th - 12:46pm | Amber L Walton

Road trip

Operational Changes At Bent's Old Fort Draw Concerns

Feb 13th - 09:39am | Twinmom

I understand safety concerns, but what has been extremely frustrating is the complete lack of TRANSPARENCY in making the changes. It has only been AFTER changes were made and AFTER  the public outcry, that any statement was made by park administration.

Study Says Barely Half Of Americans Get Outside For Recreation

Feb 10th - 17:23pm | charles klein

a lot of what was said about working so many hours dose have a lot to do with outside our homes people get tired and when they get home they want to sit down and rest or even go to bed some times

National Park Service Raises Prospect Of Reopening Businesses Along Blue Ridge Parkway

Feb 9th - 17:09pm | Ben Thompson

I'm pretty sure there's no way an individual,  or corporation, could run any of these properties and see a profit at the end of the year. The cost of doing business within the rules and regulations of the nps, along with finding reliable employees within the remote areas of which they are located, would be near impossible nowadays. 

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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.