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Reader Participation Day: Has Arizona's Approach To Controlling Illegal Immigrants Led You To Cancel a Grand Canyon Trip?

May 5th - 15:34pm | AZ Lisa

Rick, Wow! That's cool. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I always wondered about that and I'll look into it. However, the fact that National Park Rangers have a more dangerous job than FBI agents and that National Parks along the Mexican border are the most dangerous still stands. Lisa

May 5th - 14:48pm | Rick Smith

Lisa-- I assume you are talking about Paul Fugate when you mention an unsolved murder in Chiricahua NM. To my knowledge, neither the Cochise County Sheriff not the National Park Service definitivley concluded the Paul was the victim of a crime. See the Traveler story, "Where in the world is Paul Fugate", published in March of 2009. Rick

May 5th - 14:30pm | AZ Lisa

Kurt- My sincerest thanks to you for being an honest broker moderator! :-) Happy hiking...it was a beautiful season, but I too ran across a whopper rattlesnake this spring that scared the bajeebas out of me. Justin -

May 5th - 14:03pm | AZ Lisa

Kurt- Rincon and Saguaro are well above the areas you have to be concerned about. They are both adjacent to a major metropolitan area...Tucson. The areas I'm concerned about are adjacent to the border. The Chiricahuas are in such a remote area, jaguars have been spotted in the park. You should also be aware that there is still an unsolved murder of a park ranger in 1980.

May 5th - 13:51pm | justinh

Thanks, Lisa. I think you've importantly parsed what seems to have been otherwise blurred above: "Not so much by the illegal immigrants but the drug smugglers and coyotes that traffic in these regions." Justin

May 5th - 13:31pm | AZ Lisa

Justin-

May 5th - 13:05pm | Kurt Repanshek

Justin, From what I've read, and my limited experiences (I was in Saguaro about two weeks ago and did some day hiking), the greatest threats seem to be in remote areas of the state and the parks. My wife and I spent about 4-5 hours in the Cactus Forest of Saguaro's Rincon District and the only concerns we had revolved around a rattlesnake.

May 5th - 12:58pm | justinh

AZ Lisa et al., Is there a wave of violence inflicted upon park travelers by immigrants illegally crossing the border? There are a few anecdotes being invoking here, but is there any evidence of a crime spree imperiling travelers to Texas an AZ parks?

May 5th - 12:20pm | AZ Lisa

I'm not real fond of Russel Pierce, who sponsored the bill. But in his defense, he was also responsible for sponsoring the bill that does target employers. But that is very hard to enforce given that there are so many employers and illegal immigrants are dispersed throughout a myriad of small businesses. Also, id fraud is very prevalent in AZ.

May 5th - 11:40am | AZ Lisa

Kurt- I am from Arizona and my answer to which parks I will attend is this. I will go to any park that is at least 60 miles away from the border. I love Organ Pipe and would have loved to hike on some of the back trails. I no longer would feel safe there due to the heavy illegal drug and human smuggling.

May 5th - 09:29am | Kirby Adams

I often wonder if people that post on these blogs or spout off in public realize that opinions liberally spiced with personal insults work wonderfully for turning popular opinion against their cause. I come into this conversation being largely ambivalent of Arizona's actions - certainly not horrified by any aspect of them.

May 4th - 16:54pm | Becky

So, it's not illegal for an Arizona business owner to hire an illegal immigrant, but it is illegal for the illegal immigrant to live in the state of Arizona. Talk about a hypocrisy!

May 2nd - 18:17pm | Anonymous

Let me guess, you're Caucasian aren't you? I guess that means you're free from being harassed and racially profiled. Good for you. I unfortunately am a Mexican-American. An American citizen as it were and I will not stand to even have the thought of being bullied around by police officials just for the way I look. And don't tell me I'm wrong.

Upcoming Programs At Assateague Island National Seashore

May 5th - 14:09pm | RangerLady

Don't forget the VA side of the National Seashore. Both the NPS and the FWS offer great programs there as well. My favorite was Marine Explorers where the kids get to go into Toms Cove with a net and learn about the things they catch. The critters are kept alive in a tank and then in the afternoon the kids go to a lab inside the FWS visitor center and use microscopes to learn even more!

Mystery Fungus 1: The Deadliest Thing in the Woods Doesn’t Have Teeth or Claws

May 5th - 14:03pm | RangerLady

Bah! That's the one I was thinking of but that 3rd clue threw me off. Now that I've had caffine I get it. Darn my slow brain

May 5th - 11:56am | Bob Janiskee

You've got it, Kirby. This deadly beauty is the death cap (Amanita phalloides).

May 5th - 09:33am | Kirby Adams

Amanita phalloides

May 5th - 09:11am | Kurt Repanshek

No, afraid it's not Armillaria mellea, Laura.

May 5th - 08:47am | Laura

Armillaria mellea? I submitted Armillaria first as anonymous but then no one will know it's me :)

Reader Participation Day: Are We Overreaching With Wildlife Management in National Parks?

May 5th - 12:03pm | Anonymous

I believe they are less successful in Cape Hatteras is because the weather there varies combined with substantial overwash and prevailing winds. I have been to all of these locations and by far Cape Hatteras has the least inviting beaches for a bird that nests in such a shallow divot in the sand.

Missing From the System? Fort Monroe, Preserving Civil War History

May 5th - 09:34am | Sarah

Fort Monroe should definitely be preserved as part of the parks system! Every single kid or history student could have some of the best stories brought to life by going there. I just wrote a big research paper on the fort and Hampton. The whole time I wished I could have hopped in a car and gone there to see the area, see the fort itself and its views of Hampton Roads. I'm in CT.

Oil and Gas Production And the National Parks

May 5th - 07:29am | Dave Pidgeon

The political impact from the Gulf oil spill has already reached the state level. The Pennsylvania state House with a surprising amount of Republican support approved a bill that would impose a three-year moratorium on additional natural gas drilling on state forest land. The bill would also mandate government studies of the environmental, economic and societal consequences of drilling.

Planning To Visit Grand Teton National Park? Here's Your Road Construction Schedule

May 5th - 00:44am | Michael

Thanks for the udpate!

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

May 5th - 00:33am | Richard Carlson

Well only fools would start a business in this kind of trade. People forever use money and the excuse of making a living to continue in a business or not to come to meet new standards which they will never ever meet unless pushed by the law. This is just plain B.S. find another business you do not have the freedom to destroy the Native species in this country.

May 3rd - 13:42pm | Anonymous

Yeah, I'm practically a Democrat (very liberal independent) but I take exception to your play at party politics in this matter. There are a number of politicians, both Democrat and Republicans, behind the proposed snake ban. It is, for all intents and purposes, a bipartisan bill.

May 3rd - 12:51pm | Anonymous

How is this going to be a victory for the environment? If anything it will just cause more people to release their now illegal pets into the environment. If politicians were serious about protecting the Everglades they would focus on the Melaleuca trees and the ever increasing populations of feral cats, dogs, and hogs. Maybe they would also stop selling land to the frickin' sugar industry.

Fans of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Being Asked to Contribute Ideas to Lakeshore's Future

May 4th - 23:20pm | Anonymous

My husband, the kids and I just returned from a vacation in the Miami area. We've gone before and like the area, but the south beach area is just outragously priced, so we went a bit further north this year to Sunny Isles. As we like to walk the beach, on our second day we came accross Haulover Parks clothing optional beach.

May 3rd - 11:50am | Anonymous

As a resident of West Michigan, I always look for clothing optional beaches when planning a weekend-get-away or vacation. West Michigan recently lost a private clothing optional site on Lake Michigan. Patrons of this site were from MI, ,IN, IL, OH, IA, and beyond. A clothing optional recreational optinon is an unmet niche in the midwest.

May 2nd - 21:04pm | Larry

A nude beach would be great, especially if there is plenty of room for people to come and park their cars. I frequently visit Cape Canaveral seashore, and am writing this from the seashore, however there is a problem with parking at the New Smyrna side of the park. Charge extra if you want, but provide for a nude beach.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement on ORV Use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Released

May 4th - 22:33pm | ksw4obx

It is obvious to me that some of the folks posting comments have never been to the cape hatteras national seashore. as far as the comment about the lack of pedestrian only beach areas and the over abundance or orv beach access ...

Democrats Introduce "Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act" To Help Wildlife Cope With Climate Change

May 4th - 22:15pm | Bear Country

Right on, we should bring the grizzlies back to the putrid sound where they use to roam free.

Watch Your Step....

May 4th - 20:00pm | Kurt Repanshek

It shouldn't be blocking the panther story, Steve. If it is, your browser settings might be off. A way to get around it is to click on the headline of the panther story. That will open the story on a separate page.

May 4th - 19:37pm | Steve Nelson

Is there any way to "click off" this photo? It is blocking the article on the Florida panthers, so I can't read it?

Landmark Ranger Station Along Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park to Get Facelift

May 4th - 17:50pm | Laura

Yep, constant door knocks....but, what a magical place to work! As a park interpreter at Phantom Ranch, I gave geology talks by sitting in the creek, in uniform, and pulling out rocks that had migrated from various parts of the upper canyon...then talking about where they came from, and how they were formed.

May 4th - 16:34pm | MRC

Dear haunted hiker, now that is a nice story of an amazing place. If ever this cabin might be considered for the National Register of Historic Places, please make sure your experiences find their place in the official report. And I mean it.

May 4th - 15:24pm | haunted hiker

Despite the constant "door knocks" from visitors and the ill hikers vomiting on my porch, I have fond memories of the River Ranger Station. Around 1996, several of my employees installed new carpet and painted the walls for me (At that time the Corridor District Ranger stayed at the RRS whenever working at Phantom Ranch.) and I was quite comfortable there.

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

May 4th - 16:30pm | MRC

Hi Emily, why don't you start with googleling "predator prey interaction"? You might not understand everything you find, but most probably you will get the basic idea. When is your report due? If you have some time after your first round of research you might tell us what you already got and what you don't understand yet.

May 4th - 14:53pm | Emily (6thgrade...

Hi, I was wondering, because I have to do a report on the wolves and the moose of Isle Royal if you could possibly answer this "Why does the moose population rise while the wolf population falls?" Thanks for all your help.

How is Cape Hatteras National Seashore Faring Under Travel Restrictions?

May 4th - 14:46pm | Stephen

Clearly, as you are in Salvo for vacation, you have no frame of reference for what is going on in Hatteras. Walking the beach...looking for birds and seashells no doubt. If that's what floats your boat, I'm sure Salvo is glad to have your money, since Nags Head and Myrtle Beach were out of the budget this year.

Blind Hiker Trevor Thomas Tackles Pacific Crest Trail One Step At A Time

May 4th - 01:54am | janiceP

For most hikers, the Mojave Desert is one of the most popular tourism spots in North America, primarily because of the gambling destination of Las Vegas. In this desert, located the well-known Mojave cross.

Exhibit at Ellis Island National Monument Profiles Basques

May 3rd - 17:51pm | Anonymous

I live in a region of the country that has a large Basque population. Ihave learned quite a lot from them. And by the way they make delicious food.

Interpretation Of Civil War's Impact Deepens at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

May 3rd - 16:51pm | William A. Phil...

Col. John Williams Patterson is/was my great great grandfather. He was wounded, shot through the left chest, at The Battle of Fair Oaks. He was captured at The Battle of Salem Church and set to Libby Prison in Richmond. On his 29th birthday (5.5.1864) he was shot through the face and killed at the corner or Brock & Orange Plank Road.

Hiker Falls to Her Death In Zion National Park

May 3rd - 14:16pm | Anonymous

You should check your stats before you make up numbers...7-8 is not even close.

Updated: Drilling Rig Disaster Could Send Oil Spill Into Gulf Islands National Seashore

May 3rd - 11:20am | Anonymous

tsk. what are we doing people! look at us now

Glacier National Park's Logan Pass Designated as the First "Important Plant Area" in Montana

May 3rd - 07:19am | Tony Bynum

One of the most spectacular places in North American no doubt. . . As conservationists we MUST insure that people follow the rules set out to protect these places. As someone who lives here and frequents Logan often, I find that far to many photographers ignore the rules to get the shots they think they must have. . .

May 3rd - 07:12am | John Hunter

The Logan pass area offers great hiking, here are some photos from the Hanging Garden Trail to Hidden Lake.

May 3rd - 06:51am | Joy Buslaff

What a wonderful idea to call attention to exceptional areas. I’ve visited Montana twice, and its extraordinary landscape and plant life haunt my mind. All praise to those who work to exalt and protect our national treasures.

Crews At Gulf Islands National Seashore Continue To Take Precautions Against Oil

May 2nd - 23:31pm | Anonymous

As a resident of Pensacola, FL, and National Park traveler, Gulf Islands National Seashore has been from one catastrophic event to the next. Throughout it all the park staff has maintained the highest level of professionalism and perserverance.

Join a Covered Wagon on the Santa Fe Trail near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

May 2nd - 20:58pm | optimus01

If you get the chance to go to the fort, do it. I have attended several of the christmas programs there and I have really enjoyed my self. Not only is the program historically accurate on how christmas was back then, but just the peace and serenity of the area is great.

Bicycle Rentals Available at South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

May 2nd - 19:01pm | Sheepdog

I am a tour guide and have seen thousands of visitors in the last 5 years. Not one of them is in any danger. A reasonable person might read the law.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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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.