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Reader Participation Day: How Many of the 392 National Park System Units Have You Visited?

Jun 30th - 13:09pm | MikeD

Danny, Hard question to answer. One answer might be that a visit is setting foot on the precise land of the unit. But if that's it, then what about a scenic fly-over or enjoying the sights of that land (without setting foot in it)? I'd tend to be pretty liberal in my definition, but I do think you have to experience the park somehow.

Jun 30th - 12:25pm | Danny Bernstein

Now comes other questions. How is visiting defined? Is it going to the Visitor Center and getting your passport stamped? Do you have to drive through the main road? Do you have to do the main activity, such as hiking, snorkeling, walking the battlefield? Do you have to understand why it became a national park unit? Danny

Jun 30th - 12:13pm | Gaelyn

I've visited 80 sites and realize I'm very weak in the eastern and historic sites. Also have worked at three. Will try to add some new on this fall's journey and also revisit a few.

Jun 30th - 11:57am | Bogator

My wife and I have done 83 of the units, including 27 National Parks. I also find the counting of the different units to be interesting. For example, you can walk about five miles around the National Mall and pick up about 12-13 indivual units; more if you want to trek across the river.

Jun 30th - 10:06am | MikeD

Bob, interesting thing - if you look at the recent legislation designating the New Ice Age Floods Geologic Trail, it has a specific provision saying it should not count as a unit of the park system. No clue why, as it otherwise seems like it might be involved enough to be a unit.

Jun 30th - 09:34am | Bob Janiskee

Laura: The Ice Age National Scenic Trail has been a component of the National Trails System since 1980. However, it is not now, and never has been, a unit of the National Park System. The three listed National Scenic Trails (Appalachian, Natchez Trace, and Potomac Heritage) are the only National Scenic Trails that are National Park System units. Don't ask me why.

Jun 30th - 09:16am | Laura

I have visited two on your list: the Lincoln Home in IL and Yosemite National Park (which I just visited earlier this month!). I have also visited one you missed on your list: the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in WI. My husband and I hike it regularly - we can access it just a few miles out of the town where we live. My ultimate goal is to visit them all!

Jun 30th - 09:03am | Dick

130 NPS units so far and we're headed for Maui in August and the Boston area in Sept.

Jun 30th - 08:55am | Anonymous

We've visited 162. We're leaving today for a two wk trip where we'll get three more.

Jun 30th - 08:48am | Suzie

I didn't know you could do the passport stamp thing with the parks, thanks for the info! I do the passport book for lighthouses.

Jun 30th - 08:46am | Suzie

I think about 50 and since I'm almost 50 yrs old, that's not very good! I'll have to hit more in my next 50 yrs :) But I have visited some multiple times, yet only counted them once. The next one I want to go to most of all is the Dry Tortugas!

Jun 30th - 08:19am | Brad

46 park units so far, 14 of which are National Parks. Like Liz, our goal is to see all the National Parks and along the way catch as many other NPS units as we can.

Jun 30th - 08:10am | AnonymousD

I came in at 62, which is lower than I'd like but higher than I expected. Great idea for a midweek diversion!

Jun 30th - 08:03am | Jeff

I just counted them up the other day. I've been to 73 and I'll hit two new ones this holiday weekend (St. Croix National Scenic River and Apostle Islands). I've been to four in Alaska, but they are the most accessible (Sitka, Kenai, Gold Rush and Denali)...the others there will be tough.

Jun 30th - 07:27am | Erik Smith

I've visited 265 so far. Haven't been to Alaska or Hawaii. I have a feeling I'll be doing those last.

Jun 30th - 06:00am | Liz Mendez

We've visited 80 National Park Units so far. Our goal is to visit every national park and as many of the other units as possible.

America's Great Outdoors: Your Chance to Speak Up

Jun 30th - 11:19am | Gaelyn

Thankfully our National Parks should always be there for people to reconnect to nature. Yet they often require a longer journey than what's in most people's backyard. A great project would include the youth of urban areas to help renovate local green spaces. Make it fun to get outside.

Jun 30th - 10:23am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, WickedLady, as the saying goes, "those who show up call the shots." In other words, if we don't care and don't make the effort to speak up, the odds become much greater against our desires/interests/wishes being addressed. Surely, it's not an easy road to travel, but every now and then a victory is notched.

Jun 30th - 10:02am | WickedLady

How can we prize the Great Outdoors when we see our government allowing mining and oil companies to destroy OUR public lands? They pollute OUR streams and literally tear down mountains to get at coal. They put in miles and miles of roads in OUR wilderness areas with hundreds of drilling sites destroying habitat. We have to fight to keep them out of OUR parks.

Jun 30th - 07:41am | Volpe

Everyone has a need for the outdoors, some need it more than others and some need it sooner than others and if you keep politics and the politicians out nature will take it’s course.

National Park Mystery Plant 9: Can You Put Them Together?

Jun 30th - 10:10am | Mark KAtona

English Ivy

Jun 30th - 10:05am | Bob Janiskee

Yup; it's English ivy. Congrats to Brad, who was first to solve it, and to Toni and Chris for honoring the point. Those still wondering about the clues should check tomorrow for the explanation.

Jun 30th - 08:10am | Chris

English Ivy?

Jun 30th - 08:07am | Toni

Ivy.

Jun 30th - 08:02am | Brad

Maybe it's too obvious for me, but is it English ivy?

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Crushed By Vehicle At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Jun 30th - 09:15am | Mike McNichol

Everyone assumes that an ORV driving at night on the beach would have its headlights on. Since there is a ban on night driving from 10pm-6am you would be advertising your presence. This vehicle was most likely trying to sneak along without headlights, only moonlight when it struck the turtle. This is another unintended consequence of the misguided efforts of the environmental lobby.

Jun 29th - 18:48pm | Ron Saunders

Just had to toss this in. We just spotted all 4 ot the baby rabbits (searching with the grandkids). So all is well for another day. Silly I know. But, that's the way some of us rednecks are. Grew up hunting, a stint in the corp and look at me now. I almost feel like I should join AS and DoW. Nah, can't cause I still fish and want to use the truck to get to our favorite spots.

Jun 29th - 17:05pm | Salvo Jimmy

OK Crot, good for you. BTW Access folks have put up a reward. http://ncbbaonline.com/news/253-june-28-1000-reward-offered-ncbba-respon... Interesting that only further restriction has come out of AS, DOW, SELC so far.

Jun 29th - 13:33pm | Crotalus

Salvo Jimmy, I've spent three nights (from at least 9-2 or 3) at 43 this year. Only had one vehicle come over the ramp and shine their lights on the surf, and then back up.

Jun 29th - 13:31pm | Ron Saunders

Giving it due thought (and calming down) You are right, of course. We'll see.

Jun 29th - 12:20pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ron, Stereotypes are being tossed around on both sides of this fence, unfortunately. That said, no need to distance yourself from the Traveler. There are 391 other units of the National Park System that we try to cover and which you might find as interesting as Hatteras (aside from the vitriol)!

Jun 29th - 11:08am | Ron Saunders

As I review the article and accompanying comments, It is apparent the number of comments from those with one sided views. It is also apparent that many of the comments are from people that feel it necessary to address areas of which they have little to no personal knowledge, little understanding of the history nor the extensive ramifications of whats involved here.

Jun 29th - 08:25am | Salvo Jimmy

Forgot, would I sit at a ramp all night. Probably not. But I might take say a 2 - 4 hr shift much like I've done in neighborhood watches. My guess is NPS would be paranoid about such a watch taking a vigilante turn and never allow it. Now for you Crot, Would you sit at a ramp all night???? Or do you participate in the NCBBA and OBPA beach and highway cleanups ????

Jun 29th - 08:00am | Salvo Jimmy

Gee Crot more spinning. I'm getting dizzy. My post never mentioned Point, camp or fish. I had making out more in mind. As I recall the sit at ramp idea (neighborhood watch approach) came up at REG-NEG (public comment ???) but was rejected by NPS or maybe never got off the ground. Memory fades on that one. My proposal was in writing to NPS and responded to same way.

Jun 29th - 05:55am | Anonymous

The beaches of CHNS are messed up. The NPS mangers turned the area they were trusted to protect into something that the founders of the first National Seashore would have been appalled at. The NPS is number one in line for blame and should suck it up and correct it. I doubt it will happen.

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

Jun 29th - 18:37pm | Anonymous

As an American Indian, I have to say that I find it absolutely STUNNING the number of Americans on this site who refer to the history of conquest and domination of Indian peoples and lands as "the proper legal channels." There was nothing legal or proper about it. Decolonize your own history before you start throwing handcuffs at people who scare you.

Unresolved Search-and-Rescue Cases Are Scattered Throughout the National Parks

Jun 29th - 16:36pm | Kurt Repanshek

Thanks for pointing those photos out, Cliff. They really add some impact to the story and get across just how big the search effort was.

Jun 29th - 16:19pm | Cliff

This is a link to the Knoxville News' photo collection of photos made during the search for Dennis. I remember this well even though I was a 9th grade punk in 1969. It was daily news then even though my home was 600 miles distant.

Wouldn't It Be Nice If the National Park Service Resumed the Distribution of Park Window Stickers?

Jun 29th - 15:51pm | Pippin

YES! Remake the stickers with the original art and the year the park became a National Park! If handing them out free with park admitance is a financial strain on the parks service then have an option at entrance for those that are interested to pay extra at admitance to get the sticker.

On the Oregon Trail on the National Park Road Trip, 2010

Jun 29th - 15:31pm | Lloyd S.

Make sure you follow the trail at least as far as Scott's Bluff. It's a neat place.

Trails I've Hiked: Far Below And Long Ago—Basin Creek Trail to Caudill Cabin in Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Jun 29th - 12:54pm | haunted hiker

Good job Randy. I love the video! The sounds are fantastic and make me homesick.

Jun 29th - 08:19am | Randy Johnson

Thanks very much for the kind comment Carl. I really love Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway and, as a longtime/one time trail manager, I've always found satisfaction in meeting people on the trails and helping them get the most out of their experience. I'm just doing that through my books at this point!

Odds and Ends From Around the National Park System

Jun 29th - 12:19pm | RDick

How can anyone say that an adult is 13 years. There are certain norms of when one is an adult it it certainly isn't 13. Why not make a certain fee for children up to 16 and you would still gain some needed revenue. I am still concerned that National Park Service areas are pricing themselves higher than the public can afford.

Investigation Launched Into Grizzly Bear Mauling of Botanist Outside Yellowstone National Park

Jun 29th - 12:08pm | dave smith

Think cover-up. After tranqulilizing and radio collaring a grizzly, "researchers" packed up their gear and headed down the trail on horseback at 1 pm. Why would the trap site still be posted if the "researchers" were finished? It's only 2 miles to the trailhead and Evert's cabin, but it takes the "researchers" 3 hours to get there. Three hours.

The Last Night in Shenandoah National Park

Jun 29th - 11:29am | Larry W. Brown

Just wanted you both to know that I enjoyed reading your above blog and review of the Big Meadows Lodge and its surroundings. And yes, there is no other dessert comparable to the Mile High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie is it? :-)

Another Bear Killed By Hit-and-Run Driver in Yellowstone National Park

Jun 29th - 11:05am | Anonymously-Yours

sounds like the rangers are trying to win a popularity contest and are being treated like prize chumps by the unwashed masses. Maybe they could afford to put more rangers on staff if they handed out speeding tickets to these irresponsible (folks) driving around killing wildlife?

Jun 29th - 08:58am | RangerLady

Denis,

Jun 29th - 00:41am | Denis Beller

Enforcement in the Park seems to me to be very lax.

Jun 29th - 00:32am | Denis Beller

"Grizzlies are huge and unless you were speeding or not paying attention you probably would have seen the bear and had time to stop" is in fact wrong. A grizzly can sprint at 30 mph, or 44 feet per second. This means if it exits the woods at top speed 20 feet from the edge of the road, it will be in the middle of your lane in about one second.

Understanding Birds on Pacific Islands National Parks, The Video

Jun 29th - 01:56am | Traveler

Great video!

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