| National Parks Traveler

The tents seem practical for the NPS, but not so much for a visitor. Not that staying in such a tent is bad, just that the price is a bit high. Also, I've lived in Florida and having only a fan will be ok during the cooler months, but I expect that tent will be a sauna in the summer months. There are portable A/C units that could make the tents more comfortable.

Jan 21st - 08:57am | ecbuck

Sounds high, but we really know too little to make a reasoned judgement. What is NPS take? What does it cost to purchase and maintain the tents? What does it cost to service the units? Given this was a competitive bid process, hard to believe that the company is making an unconscionable profit.

The Challenges Of Recreation.gov

Jan 21st - 20:48pm | so in tents

I fight this every year with a campground in Oregon (and we have hundreds!) but this one is a 3-4h drive so it's dangerous to depend on those first come-first serve ones (even though they are beautiful). Every year some rule-breaking jackwad always books the site we want and then they keep scooting their dates down the line.

Jan 14th - 09:37am | Rick

I have yet been able to make a reservation via recreation, gov. To make a reservation I must call them. The site just does not function. I have reported the problem no less than 10 times and yet it continues to fail when making a reservation. Unbelievable! Why is this so difficult????

Katmai National Park And Preserve Vs. The Pebble Mine

Jan 21st - 17:06pm | Brown Griz

This isn't really a National Park issue, so much as a public lands and resource extraction issue in general. This project just happens to be near some Alaskan parks that will be affected. Why do we think we have to suck every gallon of oil and gas out of the earth? Why must we mine each and every resource deposit that seems to provide a profit and leave nothing for the future generations?

Jan 21st - 11:30am | rumpelstiltskin

Don't give up. It can still be stopped, reversed, or at least be substantively reduced by a change of parties after the November election. Sometimes I only have time to catch snippets of news programs in passing.

Jan 21st - 08:48am | Anonymous

Trump's role is to remove regulations and allow corporations to make $. He could care less about the animals, people or land- just $. There's very little chance that the corporate mines will back-off now that the Alaskan Governor met with Trump. With the result of the EPA withdrawing it's decision against the Pebble Mines, etal.

Jan 20th - 16:05pm | Bob Shavelson

The map used for this piece is outdated. The transportation corridor and export terminal are now located at Amakdedori Creek in Kamishak Bay in Lower Cook Inlet - see https://inletkeeper.org/2018/06/06/pebble-redux/

Jan 20th - 11:19am | David Crowl

One easy way to fall in love with this park with out going, is to view their webcams. I try to do this during the salmon run to watch the bears live. Truly makes me love this park. BTW I love your pictures.

Jan 19th - 12:35pm | rumpelstiltskin

I have the greatest respect for Michael Soule. I agree that all of us should try to visit Katmai; those who experience it truly do fall in love with it; and the Pebble Mine really must be a non-starter. But, while we're all emoting over it and getting in touch with our feelings for wild Alaska, we need to remember how fickle human feelings alone can be.

Jan 19th - 10:55am | Rebecca Latson ...

After listening to the Traveler's Podcast Episode 49, which left me a bit depressed, I read this article. Wonderful writing! As I read this, I remembered back to my own 2013 visit to this amazing national park, way out in Alaska. To see and photograph these huge bears brings back memories as evergreen now as when I first experienced Katmai over 6 years ago.

Photography In The National Parks: My 10 Fave Photos From 2019

Jan 21st - 14:22pm | Ian

Great photos. I've been to several of these spots, but your photos really enrich them! Very well done. I think the suspension bridge is my favorite of the 10 because it's so rare to get that kind of light there!

Traveler's View: While You Were Sleeping...

Jan 21st - 09:16am | Anonymous

There have been many times in the past when political pressures have led to some bad decisons, but with only a few exceptions, like the administration of President Cheney and his little friend, most administrations have at least TRIED to be careful. But things have changed now and there is only one word needed to describe the reasons behind our current disaster(s): trump

Secrecy Shrouds Future Of Caneel Bay Resort At Virgin Islands National Park

Jan 20th - 15:25pm | rumpelstiltskin

Bud Bolsky, I'm a bit confused by your comment. Yes, the American people already own the property, which is why the NPS has a responsibility for seeing it's managed properly on behalf of the American people; but, what exactly do you mean when you claim to "know the government would never maintain its beauty." On what, specifically, is that claim based?

Jan 20th - 13:15pm | Bud Bolsky

The American people already on the property. Although I've never stayed at the resort, I've hiked through its property to and from the beach while enjoying all of the amenities and it's beauty with nary a bother from the staff there. It's beautiful and Americans have full access to the property while you know the government would never maintain its beauty.

Range Of Options Studied For Preventing Shark Attacks At Cape Cod

Jan 20th - 13:27pm | Kathy

Reducing the gray seal population will only have the sharks turn even more towards human seeing there has also been an enormous increase in the great white population as well

What Is An Endangered Species?

Jan 20th - 12:21pm | rumpelstiltskin

Okay, this is a welcome little article on levels of risk, as well as how "group-think" and "the public would rather afford another case of beer" value judgements tend to drop the level of the conservation discussion to the lowest and most timid common denominator. These factors should not be so relevant to the risk assessments; but, we all know they actually do influence these assessments.

Groups Agree To Extend Fishing Closure On Elwha River Through Olympic National Park

Jan 20th - 10:59am | Anonymous

Please be patient.

UPDATED | Paradise Lost At Virgin Islands National Park

Jan 20th - 10:10am | Anonymous

Yes to what RobinB said. Just because the GOP gained control and let Delaware North get away with it doesn't mean we should let others make it their business plan.

Jan 20th - 08:57am | RobinB

All of these articles continue to make no sense to me! First, all of the articles on this topic continue to talk about the levels of environmental contamination and basically state that the government/NPS hasn't paid attention to environmental issues on the property! The land ultimately belongs to the NPS and there is a responsibility to ensure that the land is properly cared for.

Hōlei Sea Arch At Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Closed For Safety

Jan 19th - 12:44pm | y_p_w

There are many photos of people who ignored the warning signs and stood on top of the arch.

By the Numbers: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Jan 18th - 18:06pm | Terry W

Michael Field, The Indians were just as happy to commit genocide against the newcomers in this land as they were to each other. The only difference is they weren't capable of winning. A big reason for that is they were not united and pre-occupied with warring against each other. They weren't a nation, they were tribes warring over the land that supposedly nobody could own. The 'forcing them

Jan 18th - 17:34pm | Terry W.

Your ignorance of the history of the battle is astonishing. The survivirs and wounded you refer to were from a seperate engagement miles distant known as the Reno-Benteen engagement. Custers group (three miles to the North and surrounded) were killed to the last man while Benteen and Reno were pinned down after their thwarted attack on the south end of the Indian encampment, unable to reinfor

More Campsites Coming To Mukooda Lake At Voyageurs National Park

Jan 18th - 06:40am | Gary Fletcher

When will the new docks at mukooda lake be complete?thank you. Gary

Winter Weather Snarling Access To Mount Rainier National Park

Jan 17th - 21:21pm | tahoma

Nisqually Entrance will remain closed through the holiday weekend: https://twitter.com/MountRainierNPS/status/1218351058029858821

Jan 17th - 03:55am | Joshua Israel

Gorgeous Park. My family enjoyed all the seasons at Rainier when I used to be based at Fort Lewis (JBLM). Longmire Lodge is breathtakingly beautiful. Loved the stone fireplace inside Longmire Lodge. Great work for crews for digging the Nisqually Road out.

Reader Participation Day: Call It A "National Park"

Jan 17th - 08:50am | Nick

there are 19 different designations for protected areas. while Wilderness and national park are clearly above monument and recreational area, where does historic park lie? where does conservation area fall? I would favor streamlining designations, if it was combined with a very large increase of protected areas.

Washington's Bible Going Into Storage At Federal Hall

Jan 16th - 21:58pm | Jared the NYC T...

Go to the room in the NW corner of the main level. Another way of putting it. As you walk into Federal Hall, with the Statue of Washington behind you, go in 3/4. To the right is the flagstone upon which Washington stood. To the left is a room with the inaugural Bible.

Lake Clark National Park Wants You Wired For Bears

Jan 16th - 12:05pm | y_p_w

I thought there was an electric fence around Brooks Camp at Katmai NP. https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/plyovicamp.htm

Yosemite National Park Officials Instituting Reservation Program Changes To Stop Campsite Scalping

Jan 15th - 19:29pm | Rich P.

And here we are in 2020 and this is still going on. There is no way it isnt, the venue just moved elsewhere than craigalist.

Two Sentenced To Jail, Fined $500, For Walking On Old Faithful's Cone

Jan 15th - 10:59am | Anonymous

Federal magistrates and US Attorneys are appointed not elected. The maginnstrate judge in Yellowstone is very concerned about resource protection and tends to be very strict on violators, however, these are class B misdemeanors and his judgements are subject to review by district court judges.

Jan 14th - 16:37pm | Nicoline Conway

They should do community service in the parks to gain appreciation for the natural beauty and resources.

Jan 14th - 14:54pm | Richard Rehm

Unfortunately, we don't have enough rangers to enforce existing regulations. As a Volunteer in Parks for the last 4 years, I have seen many violations, but rangers can't be everywhere.

Pilots Warned Of Rumpled Condition Of Death Valley Runway

Jan 15th - 10:46am | Anonymous

The NPS no longer has an aircraft stationed in Death Valley National Park and hasn't for years.

Jan 14th - 18:15pm | Joe S.

The NPS has neglected the maintenance for years even though they are the biggest user of the with their plane. There are quite a few wasteful projects the NPS can deter monies from in their budget to make the repairs. I predict this will become a big issue for park management and perhaps some will be disciplined or forced into much needed retirement.

Jan 14th - 15:30pm | Ranger1

As $3 million would be almost 1/3 or Death Valley's yearly operating budget-I suspect that there are higher priorities than fixing this runway and that it won't be fixed until an outside fujnding souce is found-

Jan 14th - 07:30am | Joe Smithly

Trom what I hear, the Superintendant is not interested in repairs and is hoping to close the runway in the long run. Typiical NPS BS

20-Mule Team Rolls Again At Death Valley National Park

Jan 15th - 10:43am | mbennett

Building the replicas is a story in iteslf and there are an excellent collection of YouTube videos. Google EngelsCoachShop.

Former NPS Director Jarvis Continues Working On Agency's Climate Change Mission

Jan 15th - 09:08am | Eric Burr

Retired national park rangers such as Jarvis are our best hope for survival of the human race. The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks started as retired NPS employees, and has since broadened its membership to include others with valuable related experience.

Baker Island Restoration Work Helped By Friends Of Acadia

Jan 14th - 20:08pm | Bernie Negrin

How do I get out to this lighthouse in the spring??? Bernie

Repairs To Bote Mountain Tunnel Will Close Laurel Creek Road To Cades Cove

Jan 14th - 11:46am | Dave

To "remove" a tunnel is the same as fill it in. Then how are you supposed to get there in your oversized gas suckin' monstermobile?

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