| National Parks Traveler

My first inclination is to say ALASKA with all of her beautiful wilderness areas. THAT is actually on the radar however for us. We are trying to visit the National Parks on their Centennials (we'll be in Glacier this summer and Rocky Mt in 2015, Lord willing). In 2016, Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala will be celebrating theirs.

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Want To Keep Mule Rides in the Canyon

Mar 17th - 08:10am | Kevin M

I have taken the mule ride down the North Kaibab trail to Roaring Springs (1987). I have also hiked South Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch and the Bright Angel trail out from Phantom Ranch (2004). I understand the appeal of mule rides and do not wish to see them stopped, but as a hiker I would like to see two limits to their use.

Mar 16th - 20:41pm | Hank Bailey

This part of americana should be avaiable to all americans even though I personally will probaly never see the Grand canyon due to the cost of the trip. This form of travel is the only form of transport for the persons in the bottom of the canyon. As I understand there are helicopter transports but that takes away from the natural beauty and solitude of the whole trip.

Mar 16th - 18:39pm | Dick

We have ridden the mules to the bottom of the canyon and spent the night at Phantom Ranch. It's a great way to see the canyon. Hikers were complaining about the "waste" in 1988 when we made the trip and all I can say is, step around it. This isn't a mall parking lot.

How Might the National Park System Appear if Not for the Use of the Antiquities Act of 1906?

Mar 17th - 07:09am | Connie Hopkins

Hail TR for envoking this act and expanding and preserving some of our most beautiful Wilderness places!

Is There Economic Value to That National Monument in Your Backyard?

Mar 17th - 07:06am | VK Observer

Here in Florida, a coalition of civic, environmental and preservation groups and concerned citizens are working towards having a new monument or addition to the Biscayne National Park that includes Virginia Key island and the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve. What could be better for the tourist economy in a tourist state?

Rare Fossilized Sea Star Turns Up On Beach at Olympic National Park

Mar 16th - 20:02pm | Ranger Li - Oly...

Half of this beautiful fossil was already missing when we found the current specimen. The rock most likely cracked along a weak plane in the sandstone during a late spring storm. Washed up logs can have a strong impact - literally - on the rocks along the coast. It hadn't been exposed for very long before it was found.

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

Mar 16th - 18:08pm | Bill S

Kurt, I like to fish and have no desire to eliminate driving on the beach. ORV use needs to be more tightly managed than the ORV access side is proposing; they are way off the mark. The NPS needs to get their head around what a qualities all National Parks should share. They are negligent with CAHA.

Mar 16th - 15:34pm | Kurt Geisler

Bill I can understand your objection with my pickup on the beech. Yeah it does get crowded out there sometimes, that's when I go to pea island and fish. Bill I believe this war, and your side , is short sighted. We all know fuel price and vehicle cost will curtail beech vehicles. We also know the federal government has a debt coming that is going to make the funding we see today impossible.

Mar 16th - 12:10pm | Bill S

y p w,

Mar 15th - 17:39pm | y_p_w

sea mullet: On March 15th, 2010

Mar 15th - 17:15pm | sea mullet

The pictures of Chrissy Field are nice.The mention of the Western Snowy Plover nesting there on a 100acre site with 1.5 miles of accessible shore line leads me to think you might not have closures like the 1000meter closures like CHNSRA has.

Mar 15th - 15:28pm | Kurt Geisler

I guess if you look at the whole island then yeah the spits and the over washes may be the last best nesting places. But the last best isn't necessarily the best areas to increase a population. We have to agree that the dune line does stop over wash on the islands and contributes to beech erosion.

Mar 15th - 14:19pm | y_p_w

Bill S:

Mar 15th - 12:23pm | Bill S

Kurt This isn't really my issue but I do know something about it.

Mar 15th - 10:56am | Kurt Geisler

After reading part of the DEIS I was disappointed the park will not re-create habitat. Attempting to increase a population on dwindling habitat is illogical. Even the Enviros or dark side (as they are called) have to admit with climate change and beach erosion the habitat is dwindling. So, if we WANT to raise the population of plovers, eventually re-establishing habitat is going to happen.

Mar 14th - 15:57pm | Anonymous

Bill, according to here: http://www.nature.nps.gov/stats/viewReport.cfm?selectedReport=SystemCamp... There were more than 10,000 more tent campers in 2009 (55,317), then there were in 2008 (45,082) at Hatteras' campgrounds, in a worse economy.

Mar 14th - 14:18pm | Bill S

"The only "decay" I see at CHNSRA is at the NPS campgrounds because nobody's using them due to such limited beach access" Show me the peer reviewed study to back that up. The campground use started to decline years before that if you dig you can probably find those statistics from the NPS.

Mar 14th - 13:18pm | Rick B.

"So-called" enviromental side? Not the sort of nasty slur I expect on a site that highlights the NPS. Got a "eat spotted owl" bumper sticker on your gas guzzler?

Mar 14th - 13:05pm | Ginny

Make up your own mind. Follow the links below. The comment period deadline is May 11, 2010. For links to specific requirements for commenting and to the DEIS, go to. This site includes a link to the DEIS and commentary from many on the front lines. http://www.preservebeachaccess.org/

Mar 14th - 09:55am | Anonymous

Sea Mullet, I know. It's a shame it's been a cash cow for decades with no concerns as to sustainability or the effects on the park. You can't kill the golden goose and have it too. Good on you for wanting that to end.

Mar 14th - 09:46am | Roninstia

Bill S., why do you get to define "bad behavior"? I am working on my tax returns this morning so you can guess at my frame of mind. MY definition of bad behavior is whatever costs me in higher taxes and hyperbolic arguments by the so-called enviro side. The only "decay" I see at CHNSRA is at the NPS campgrounds because nobody's using them due to such limited beach access.

Mar 14th - 09:07am | Bill S

sea mullet I can sympathize with you about lost fishing opportunities because of resource protection in this Park. I’m sure there are adequate ways to increase resource production/protection that provide better access. From my experience the great majority of ORV users love all aspects of the Park including the resource and are good stewards by their standards.

Mar 14th - 08:31am | sea mullet

Actually Anon I believe my views on this issue provide fairness to most all visitors to CAHA and not a select few. The money spent so far by NPS, Pro access,and the Environmental groups could have provided or improved favorable habitat for the birds and new access points around this new or improved habitat, and money for research to provide creditable science.

Mar 13th - 20:23pm | Anonymous

OK if you are inclined to believe that most people cannot identify a Piping Plover why should the govt.continue to spend millions of dollars for plans(DEIS),lawsuits,putting up barriers,and enforcement cost of these plans.. That you don't see the obvious answer to your question ... Sad, really.

Mar 13th - 19:33pm | sea mullet

Thanks for your trust anon and it was a positive ID.

Mar 13th - 18:22pm | Anonymous

Sea mullet,

Mar 13th - 14:57pm | sea mullet

Anon do you doubt that I dont know my birds and that I didnt see them on Avon beach doing breeding season?

Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes to List Loggerhead Turtle Species As Endangered

Mar 16th - 16:30pm | Grace Neff

It's about time our loggerhead turtles are being recognized as an endangered species.

Mar 16th - 08:16am | Anonymous

Just want to note that in addition to the parks and seashores you listed in your article, Cumberland Island National Seashore and Canaveral National Seashore are also important nesting sites for Loggerheads.

Cape Lookout National Seashore To Mark 150th Anniversary of Lighthouse This Fall

Mar 16th - 14:04pm | Charlie Hill

Thanks to Ms Bykerk for this piece of family history of which I was not aware - I am the second son of Nancy Nelson Hill Babbitt of Atlantic, N.C..

Traveler’s Checklist: Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Mar 16th - 13:32pm | Seaside Vacations

Great post. Thanks for sharing those tips. The Outer Banks is the perfect beach vacation...a great combination of peaceful relaxation and fun local activities/attractions; gorgeous beaches, a wide variety of water sports, world-class fishing and surfing, great local art and shopping, delicious local food, history, nature, etc.

Survey Says National Park Service Is Far from the Best Government Agency to Work For

Mar 16th - 10:37am | Anonymous

After reading this article, as well as the comments, I must say I am a bit wary of accepting a job with the National Park Service. I am currently a DoD civilian... is it better to work for the U.S. Army, or for NPS? Now that Obama has proposed freezing the budget, I am more afraid than ever.

Living History Program At Joshua Tree National Park Takes You Back to The 1940s

Mar 16th - 08:02am | Victorian inn b...

Joshua tree National Park organization was incorporated 1962 as the primary educational partner for Joshua Tree National Park, to provide high quality informational products, services and programs to park visitors, and the global community.

"Upper Lot" At Ridge Trailhead on Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park To Be Permanently Closed

Mar 15th - 16:42pm | RoadRanger

Ranger KT makes a point that was popular with hikers dating at least to the mid-60s. Back then, it was neat to get close to the "trail," but parking was usually a mess. Interesting that park management is finally moving on such an old and obvious issue. What a joy it was to hike Old Rag in any season.

Mar 15th - 08:38am | Ranger KT

No way! One of the best parts of hiking Old Rag is getting there early enough to snag a spot in the upper lot and cutting the road mile out of your hike!

Mar 14th - 14:57pm | Bat

I'm planning a trip up Old Rag this summer, so this is a good heads up for me. Thanks for sharing it.

Celebrate National Wildlife Week In Your Favorite National Park

Mar 15th - 13:30pm | Sightseer

Being in the great outdoors is much better than being inside. I had a great time riding my motorcycle in the Rocky Mountain National Park - great memories!

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: A Jewel Along The Blue Ridge Parkway

Mar 15th - 09:44am | George

Moses Cone's sisters Claribel and Etta also became philanthropists, leaving their outstanding art collection to the Baltimore Museum of Art. The Cone Collection is known worldwide and is especially valued for its 500 works by Henri Matisse.

Death Valley National Park Lodge Remodeling Nears Completion

Mar 15th - 08:20am | YNPGal

Anonymous,

With Some Quick Flourishes Of the Pen, Great Smoky Mountains National Park's "Road to Nowhere" Saga Ends

Mar 15th - 05:47am | Brian Lane Pilk...

This article said it all! The family's screwd over by the tva & then the department of the interior are screwed again! It was all about swain county & Rep. Shuler when it should be about the land that was stolen from my family. What will happen in the future to my family's cemetery? Disabled will I have to hike to visit it? Wouldn't that land serve the public better with the road?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park's "Road to Nowhere" Saga Set to End Saturday

Mar 15th - 05:07am | Brian Lane Pilk...

I am a direct descendant of Nathan Moses & Rutha West Pilkington. Both buried in a family cemetery with other family members at Pilkey's creek on the North Shore of Fontana Lake. My family has been in North Carolina since this nation was a nation & fought in every war since the Revolutionary War. If I may please let me share a few things.

Battle Against Marijuana Growers Temporarily Closes Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park

Mar 15th - 05:00am | 70

Whatever Became of the Decommissioned National Parks?

Mar 14th - 22:36pm | Becky Janzen

I think Ellen has a good point, and if she's the same Ellen I knew many years ago, I know she means what she writes. Get in touch with me Ellen, if you can. I love the national park system and go to Rocky Mountain National Park as often as I can.

Mike Snyder, Intermountain Regional Director for the National Park Service, Opts for Retirement

Mar 14th - 15:18pm | Anonymous

I heard that Snyder had been told that he was being reassigned and that he asked his secretary to fax him the letter, which was delivered by Fed Ex, to his hotel when it arrived. The fact that he twisted to truth in order to make it seem as if he had been surprised by the fax is classic Snyder. He will not be missed.

Zion National Park Developing Soundscape Management Plan

Mar 14th - 13:04pm | Lee Dalton

I remember a dark midnight many years ago when I had tossed my sleeping bag down on the forest floor near the top of Cable Mountain in Zion. I awoke some time during the night to hear . . . . ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. There was no sound whatsoever. No breeze in the trees. No water sounds because there was no water for a mile or more. No insects. No night birds. NOTHING!

Traveler's Gear Box: When It Comes To Base Layers, Do You Opt for Wool or Poly?

Mar 13th - 23:43pm | jim.hiker

That is the beauty of the new micron wool threads, they don't itch, unless of course you are allergic to wool in the first place. They are so small and smooth that they are very silky next to the skin.

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