Are you a fan of National Parks

[Pinecone]

Found a new show called Rock the Park, and binge-watched Seasons 1-2 on Hulu. Really like that show, because I am a huge fan of our National Parks. I wrote a note to the show via their website http://www.thoseparkguys.com, letting them know they have a new fan. Right after I left them a message, one of the HOSTS of the show, Jack Steward, contacted me and asked me to write an entry on their community blog, and he asked me to include my National Park Tour video from Sept. 2015! If you follow the link, I love that the still photo on the blog is a pic of my rig and my teardrop trailer (Pinecone) at my campsite in Grand Teton NP!

http://www.thoseparkguys.com/community-blog/restoring-your-passion-for-life

See you 'round the country!

Greg

[Tomterrific]

Greg,

Of course! I'm also a big fan of National Forests. We bypassed the Smokey's to camp in the Nantahala NF. That entire area is good for camping and exploring. Some state parks aren't bad either.

Thanks for the tip on the show, it sounds fun.

T

[Vedette]

NO!

[minstrel]

Hey Vedette....can you elaborate? Do you just dislike the camping aspect or the whole National Park scene in general? and why? I have been holding off doing many National Parks until 2017 when I am able to get the senior pass. That discount seems like a mixed blessing....great price but you have to be old to get it! Anyway, would be interested in hearing your "take" on the subject.
Liz

[halfdome, Danny]

Our national parks are a great place for the public to enjoy the wonders of nature.
We visit Yosemite every year and love every moment.
Danny

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service, a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for protecting the 40 national parks and monuments then in existence and those yet to be established. This "Organic Act" of August 25, 1916, states that "the Service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of Federal areas known as national parks, monuments and reservations . . . by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

The National Park Service still strives to meet those original goals, while filling many other roles as well: guardian of our diverse cultural and recreational resources; environmental advocate; world leader in the parks and preservation community; and pioneer in the drive to protect America's open space. The National Park System of the United States comprises 384 areas covering more than 83 million acres in 49 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. These areas are of such national significance as to justify special recognition and protection in accordance with various acts of Congress.

By Act of March 1, 1872, Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming "as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and placed it "under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior." The founding of Yellowstone National Park began a worldwide national park movement. Today more than 100 nations contain some 1,200 national parks or equivalent preserves.

In the years following the establishment of Yellowstone, the United States authorized additional national parks and monuments, most of them carved from the federal lands of the West. These, also, were administered by the Department of the Interior, while other monuments and natural and historical areas were administered as separate units by the War Department and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. No single agency provided unified management of the varied federal parklands.

An Executive Order in 1933 transferred 63 national monuments and military sites from the Forest Service and the War Department to the National Park Service. This action was a major step in the development of today's truly national system of parksÑa system that includes areas of historical as well as scenic and scientific importance. Congress declared in the General Authorities Act of 1970 "that the National Park System, which began with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, has since grown to include superlative natural, historic, and recreation areas in every region ... and that it is the purpose of this Act to include all such areas in the System...."

Additions to the National Park System are now generally made through acts of Congress, and national parks can be created only through such acts. But the President has authority, under the Antiquities Act of 1906, to proclaim national monuments on lands already under federal jurisdiction. The Secretary of the Interior is usually asked by Congress for recommendations on proposed additions to the System. The Secretary is counseled by the National Park System Advisory Board, composed of private citizens, which advises on possible additions to the System and policies for its management.

[GuitarPhotog]

Yes, especially with a Golden Eagle senior discount card. But your park experience may vary between parks. Yellowstone and Yosemite both are crowded and the campsites are small, close and noisy. Grand Teton NP, Lassen Volcanic NP and several others are not as busy, crowded, or noisy.

I have no experience with NPs east of the Mississippi.

<Chas>

[mkitchen]

I enjoy the National Parks but I usually try to camp somewhere with less activity and make day trips to the park. The Grand Canyon (both north and south rims) is a perfect example where you can camp by yourself or with friends and simply spend time in the park as you see fit. I realize that there are parks where that philosophy would not work as there is nowhere to camp in seclusion outside of the park but many do have some nice areas close by.
Mikey

[MtnDon]

We love the NP's, although the crowds are a bit much at times. However, I would much rather have the parks operated by the government than have the property in the hands of others.

[daveesl77]

I love visiting the NP, but for the most I hate camping inside them. Reason being is that so many just cram as many people in as small a spot as possible. In some cases you don't have a choice, but for the most part you can get a NFS or COE or BLM site near the park, have lots of room, and then just visit. An example is Yellowstone. We camp at a NSF (or maybe its BLM) campground called Wapiti about 20 miles east of the park. Right on the river, super large sites, electric and water avail. My pass gets me into the parks for free and my cost on paid Federal camping is 1/2 price. Same with Grand Canyon. I love the Ten-X NSF campground about 8 miles south of the park. No electricity, water comes from a hand pump and I love it. It is huge and if you pick the right time of year, pretty much vacant. I'm not stuck in a parking lot with someone right outside my door.

To the flip side, Chaco Cultural Park is a no brainer, yes, all the campers are kind of bunched together, but it doesn't matter because you are right in the middle of the ruins. I love hiking up to the cliff top overlooking Pueblo Bonito and watching the sunrise over the ruins. Arches, worth it just to be able to wander around after dark.

dave

[Vedette]

Hey Vedette....can you elaborate? Do you just dislike the camping aspect or the whole National Park scene in general? and why? I have been holding off doing many National Parks until 2017 when I am able to get the senior pass. That discount seems like a mixed blessing....great price but you have to be old to get it! Anyway, would be interested in hearing your "take" on the subject.
Liz

Sorry....the short answer was just for Greg (Pinecone), as he likes to plan his camping season around National Parks and we are good friends!
But, it was an honest answer, not just a dig!
I have probably visited more American National Parks than most Americans.
Yes, they are beautiful!.......BUT! They are too expensive to stay in, they are too crowded, they are usually pre booked on the first day of their booking year, thus their campsites are usually FULL, they are too touristy, they have too many rules, they have way to many signs, the nature has been picked, trampled, or burned at most of them, the attractions are worn out,....we have even had to leave Miss Piggy on the side of the road outside of the gate so we could enter???
Yes, they may be wonderful to visit, but not to stay in.
And like I say we have been to so many I can't even remember them all...Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon (both rims),
every NP in Utah, Banff, Glacier, Waterton Lakes, Badlands, etc. etc. etc.
Like to enjoy nature in a more casual situation.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Redneck Teepee]

Yes, they are beautiful!.......BUT! They are too expensive to stay in, they are too crowded, they are usually pre booked on the first day of their booking year, thus their campsites are usually FULL, they are too touristy, they have too many rules, they have way to many signs, the nature has been picked, trampled, or burned at most of them, the attractions are worn out,....

You are correct Brian. If we visit the NP's we camp elsewhere and do the day drive visits. We are currently planning a visit to Glacier this summer and my buddy say's to be sure and cross over into Waterton Lakes. I only live 70 mi outside of Yosemite so when we do visit ( about every 10 years) we leave home and are back that night. We did the Yosemite camping thing when I was a kid and pretty much saw it all, just not real interested in camping at/in the NP's.

[halfdome, Danny]

I guess it's all boils down to you own perspective on national parks.
I don't mind the so called crowds, no biggie.
I've been to most national parks in the western states and my attitude is we are part of the "crowd " problem and let it go at that.
Certainly won't stay home because I may have to wait in line or whatever.
The only thing we mind is the sometimes close proximity to the all night drinkers that don't have the courtesy to keep it down in consideration of others.
If you just sit in your campsite all the time you won't enjoy yourselves much.
We rise early and get out and hike or bike. Once you get away from the campgrounds the crowds diminish and it's very peaceful.
We actually enjoy interacting with others on the trails.
Danny

[Vedette]

I don't think this thread was started as a debate, but as a poll?
Brian

[Vedette]

Sorry got posted three times and the "delete icon"or word "delete" have now disappeared in this new version of the Forum.
Brian

[Vedette]

Brian