| National Parks Traveler

A "citizen" of the Cherokee nation? Wasn't the main point of the Civil War to decide that folks could not unilaterally secede from the US and create their own nations? It is truly ironic that Thomas Clingman himself would have supported the E. Cherokee's "right" to secede and create their own "nation"! Come on, man!

Sep 19th - 08:34am | A Cherokee Nati...

This is expressed in Cherokee as "Kuwohi" to reflect the written language that the Cherokee people were using at the time, including the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper that began publication in 1828. This name moves the issue away from a "person-name" - and yes, many of the persons involved were slave-holders, both Cherokee and North Carolinian - to a "concept-name (mulberry)" w

Sep 18th - 18:28pm | A. Johnson

Reason enough for a name change for such a high profile NPS destination. Not really.

Sep 18th - 18:00pm | Anonymous

Gee, why not just call it "Mulberry Dome"? After all, we're using the ENGLISH LANGUAGE to descibe a place in writing that never had a written name--when settled, the Cherokee, like ALL indigionus groups in N. America, never has written language.

Sep 18th - 16:50pm | Anonymous

Largely forgotten is Clingman's long career as a member of Congress from North Carolina, where he was an outspoken Senate proponent of the "inequality of the negro," and championed the legitimacy of slavery and secession.

Hiker Missing For A Month Found Alive In North Cascades National Park

Sep 13th - 11:47am | A. Johnson

Well, technically, what is designated as North Cascades NP does not have highways. When one looks at a map of the area, NCNP is almost all backcountry/wilderness.

Sep 13th - 05:22am | Anonymous

He is one fortunate man. Hope he makes a full recovery. I'm curious as to where this picture is taken. The park sign is next to a road. It is my understanding that there are no roads in this national park. Has that changed?

Another U.S. Senator Has Questions About Recreation.Gov, Pushes For Investigation

Sep 13th - 11:24am | Elma

They did a fine job at setting up the contract with the US gov. For their own gain. Very clever design to amass money and rob people and rob natue of potential funds for investment in envirnmental conservation. The people who reviewed tenders and accepted this contract perhaps could not grasp at first the project design, perhpaps they just did not see what it will actually do.

Reader Participation Day: Where Are The Best Fall Colors In The National Park System?

Sep 13th - 08:11am | Sequoian

The dogwoods changing color in Sequoia NP are spectacular, and the best place is in the vicinity of Tunnel Log on Crescent Meadow road.Early to mid November is when the show is on.

Sep 11th - 15:59pm | Ben from Virginia

I think a great place is the western reaches of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Paw Paw in the late Fall. The C and O towpath is fantastic to to take a walk or bike ride.

White Sands National Park Proposes Fee Increase, Wants Your Input

Sep 11th - 11:05am | Kurt Repanshek

AJ, at Congaree they clearly said the increase was due to the costs they have to pay recreation.gov.As far as tracking whether the fees are used, it should be relatively easy by contacting individual parks and asking.I also don't think it's surprising that parks point to past uses of FLREA funds. Pointing to proposed uses might not pan out for whatever reason.

Sep 11th - 10:39am | A. Johnson

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2022/12/congaree-national-park-boo...

Sep 10th - 19:13pm | Kurt Repanshek

AJ, you're using your broad brush again.I'll be near the front of the line in opposing these fees, believing Congress should be funding the projects these fees are paying for, but these fees have paid for campground improvements, trail work, museum exhibits, paving parking lots, even gone towards that new water line at Grand Canyon, and more.

Sep 10th - 16:55pm | A. Johnson

The Federal Lands and Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) authorizes the NPS to collect and retain revenue, in the form of entrance and amenity fees, and requires these funds to be used to enhance visitor experience Yet, there's precious little evidence that the NPS (or USFS or BLM) uses these extra FLREA funds to actually enhance visitor experiences.

Traveler's View: National Park Service Has Its Blinders On At Cumberland Island

Sep 10th - 16:24pm | BorderlandsFrank

DOJ argument is wrong. NPS is a person under the ESA. By an act of omission or comisssion, NPS tolerance or support for the horses that harm listed species is a section 9 take by the NPS. Yes DOJ, an animal can cause harm to listed animals. See Palila v Hawaii. Further, ESA imposes on the NPS an affirmative obligation to conserve listed species not feral livestock. Disgraceful that DOJ wo

Sep 7th - 08:57am | Loui

The agency lacks leadership. They can't get rid of ranch animals fast enough @ Valles Caldera but here they stew about caring for an invasive species. They pride themselves on "following the science", but really, like in the White Nose Syndrom response at cave parks, they are controlled by emotions.

Sep 5th - 11:05am | Ben of Virginia

Oh boy! The horse controversy has everyone tied in knots again. I am familiar with Assateague Island in Maryland, and there the horses are a big draw for tourists. They dominate the landscape and excite crowds. They are a resource to be cherished, perhaps a cultural resource though. Legally, and technically they are feral animals and on one hand should be eliminated.

Zion National Park Shuttle Vehicles All Electric

Sep 9th - 10:40am | A. Johnson

Zero-emission buses Sorry, these buses are not "zero emissions". Or, are we suggesting that electricity falls from the sky with no consequence? I do enjoy riding shuttles buses in Zion or Glacier, but NONE of them are "zero emissions". My personal fleet of vehicles are all "zero emissons", until I start them up! Come on Kurt.

PEER: Point Reyes National Seashore Cattle Deals Cost Taxpayers

Sep 8th - 15:17pm | Bill Collins

The cattle compete with the native Tule elk. Remove the cattle and their for-priofit operations.

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

Sep 8th - 03:57am | Almost drowned ...

It had rained heavily for 5 days. I stupidly went into the rapids farther upstream to swoosh down to the water hole where the cliffs are. When I got there, I was pulled down by what I thought was a whirlpool, right at the mouth of the pool under the cliff. Nobody was around. I struggled and struggled to get up to the surface that looked like circular swirling green sunlight. Ran out of air.

Death Valley National Park Notches Hottest Summer On Record

Sep 6th - 18:12pm | Anonymous

February and the Dark Sky Festival is glorious!

Congaree National Park To Remove Feral Hogs

Sep 5th - 20:56pm | tbigg

Having visited Congatee and seen the widespread damage these non-native animals cause to the park, this is a much needed action to protect the natural state of the park.

SCA Crews To Remove Invasive Species At Indiana Dunes National Park

Sep 5th - 09:57am | neato

And it continues. The death by a thousand cuts. Slowly but surely these ever growing not for profits take more and more good paying federal jobs and turn them into season volunteer low pay servitude. Its bad for the parks, Its bad for the workers, its bad for the tourists. But its good for the few making bank in these not for profit executive boards.

Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim Hotels To Reopen Thursday

Sep 4th - 15:47pm | A. Johnson

Like the concessionaire at Crater Lake that got booted, how are GC concessionaries supposed to make money when the NPS cannot reasonably ensure that he infrastructure will be in place and wokring in order for the concessionaires to operate?

Nicodemus National Historic Site Acquires Historic First Baptist Church

Sep 4th - 09:26am | Rob Richmond

Formerly I was able to visit inside the church. Now apparently the NPS has closed it. Good thing I got there before the NPS.

Sep 1st - 14:50pm | A. Johnson

Yep, I paint with a broad brush. Of course, the NPS prioritizes its preservation responsibilities and does spend a lot of money on restoration.

Aug 30th - 10:04am | Kurt Repanshek

You're painting with a pretty big brush, AJ, no?

Aug 30th - 09:38am | A. Johnson

Based on past and current NPS efforts to preserve national treasures, this acquisition is highly llikely to result in the deterioration of the church. Sorry.

DOJ: Judge Should Deny Emergency Food And Water For Cumberland Island Horses

Sep 4th - 08:33am | Anonymous

It's embarrassing and cruel that our government won't help these horses. Nothing wrong with feeding them so they don't suffer. it just see like our government just doesn't want to do anything.

Sep 3rd - 16:27pm | Anonymous

Embarrassing that our government would deny theee animals care and attempt to absolve themselves from any responsibility

Grand Canyon's South Rim Hotels Might Reopen This Coming Weekend

Sep 3rd - 19:37pm | Anonymous

Yavapai lodge is taking reservationfor overnight stay beginning Thursday night . Breakfast buffet will open on Friday morning . Othe food open Thursday night as well

National Park Service Halts Work On Plan To Remove Horses From Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Sep 3rd - 16:26pm | Anonymous

Politic. Bleh. Support the Science.

Miccosukee Tribe Reaches Agreement With Everglades, Biscayne National Parks

Sep 3rd - 09:18am | A. Johnson

"The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida has long been a steward of the Everglades and Biscayne Bay, pre-dating the establishment of the National Park Service, That's stretching history to a breaking point.

Sep 2nd - 16:06pm | A. Johnson

It's also important to note that the NPS can only enter into these agreements with recognized tribes to gather "plants or plant parts"-- not animals, not fish. If the NPS refuses to abide by OUR laws, why should the rest of us?

Aug 31st - 10:36am | James Longstreet

This agreement "acknowledges" the rights of tribal members to fish and gather plants within Biscayne National Park, presumably outside the constraints of federal regulations applicable to the general public. Perhaps there is a treaty between the tribe and the United States spelling out those rights.

Essay | The Time Has Arrived For A White Mountain National Park

Sep 2nd - 17:01pm | Anonymous

You couldn't be more out of touch how we north country and NH residents feel about the National forest. It is a working forest and we wish it was working more.

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 290 | Miserable Mammoth Cave

Sep 2nd - 06:56am | Mammoth Cave NP...

I have been to Mammoth Cave several times, and I find the park beautiful and the staff immensely competent and engaging. One of the jewels of eastern US National parks!

Grand Jury Indicts Two Men For Allegedly Toppling Rock Formations At Lake Mead

Sep 1st - 15:32pm | Anonymous

Throw the book at them. Ten-years in prison sounds appropriate to me!

Wild Wonders Seen While Sea Kayaking In Acadia National Park

Sep 1st - 09:15am | Anonymous

This was a fantastic article. Learned so much about the coastline and its habitat. Glad to read about the changes in the climate that seems to be affecting more than most people know. Great writing, Marcus Wolf.

Water Shortage Forces Hotel Closures At Grand Canyon National Park

Aug 30th - 10:16am | Kurt Repanshek

Seek funding for its replacement in 1968? AJ, the pipeline was built in the mid-60s and had a projected life of 40-some years.

Aug 30th - 10:03am | A. Johnson

My recollection is that the town of Tusayan does NOT have its own water system. Water in Tusayan is typically pumped and distributed by PRIVATE water companies, so residents and busineses have to find their own supply of water. Although, I think the town recently sunk a well, but it still does not supply all or even most of the town.

Aug 30th - 09:53am | A. Johnson

1965 - 2017 = 52 years of inaction ANYONE in the private sector would have begun planning for the pipepline's replacement in 1966, and seeking funding for its replacement in 1968. I first spent significant time in the GC in 2000. Even then, issues with water and the water system were well publicized.

Aug 30th - 08:33am | Kurt Repanshek

I don't, Ben, but I've raised that question with the park and am waiting on a response.

Aug 29th - 20:46pm | Ben Thompson

Kurt, do you know why they can't be served by the local system of Tusayan

Aug 29th - 17:08pm | Kurt Repanshek

Not to be an apologist for the NPS, but they've been trying for years to get this pipeline replaced. Back in July 2017 they formally started the process. Not only is the paperwork gauntlet massive and complex (NEPA), but Congress has to provide the funding.

Only One Signature Will Be Allowed On America The Beautiful National Parks Passes

Aug 30th - 09:36am | Erich Zimmerman

This is really disappointing. I understand the fraud and abuse aspect, but this really should include "family" or at least the last name the same. We bought one for our daughter as she traveled cross-country, thinking we could use it once she returned home. But now she has to be with us every time?

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