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Historic Cabins In Zion National Park Get Renovated, But Retain Old Look

Jun 13th - 11:29am | Kurt Repanshek

While I've largely been satisfied, and impressed at times, with Xanterra's stewardship at Yellowstone, I do remember an exchange in which a server at the Old Faithful Inn dining room, when we noted the fingerprints and smudges on our wine glasses, responded that that was about as good as it gets.

Jun 13th - 11:23am | y_p_w

Lee Dalton: I have to say that in all my contacts with Xanterra -- in Yellowstone and in Zion -- I've come away very favorably impressed. Of course I don't know what goes on behind the scenes or in the parks' concessions management offices, but as far as my visitor experiences have been, Xanterra has always left me more than fully satisfied.

Jun 13th - 11:00am | jessstryker

When I last visited the lodging at Zion the historic cabins were already in good shape and substantially restored when compared to many other NP lodging. Xanterra has put considerable money into facilities at this resort over the last few years.

Jun 13th - 09:02am | Lee Dalton

I have to say that in all my contacts with Xanterra -- in Yellowstone and in Zion -- I've come away very favorably impressed. Of course I don't know what goes on behind the scenes or in the parks' concessions management offices, but as far as my visitor experiences have been, Xanterra has always left me more than fully satisfied.

Woman Dies in Fall From Angel's Landing

Jun 13th - 00:59am | boomchuck

I did the Angel's Landing trail yesterday but stopped at the chains. I actually got to the third chain and decided that I wasn't going to be comfortable with it and backed down. No shame in that. In the park brochures there are plenty of warnings about being properly prepared for this and all the other hikes as well as warnings for people that have trouble with heights and balance.

Another Cellphone Tower OKed for Kings Canyon National Park

Jun 12th - 22:23pm | Jessica

Hi, I am moving to this national park in the grants grove area for 5 months starting july 2010, i was just wondering if cell service does work in the grants grove area, and what cell phone service works the best? I am very close to my dad who has medical problems and not being able to talk to him on a regular basis would be very difficult for me.

Ranger Ingenuity 401 - Horse Rescued from Canyon at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Jun 12th - 21:08pm | Dr. Rebecca Gimenez

THAT is what we call keeping it simple and doing a great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations - and Anonymous is correct - there is training for this - and a text book in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue.... Thanks for sharing the photos and story! Dr. Rebecca Gimenez

Jun 11th - 10:24am | Anonymous

Well done! True, this type of operation is not covered in Rescue Systems 1 or 2, but there is training available through CA State Fire Training. The name of the course is "Large Animal Rescue- Operations", a technical rescue course designed for emergency responders to resolve these types of incidents. Keep up the great work!

Jun 9th - 16:28pm | Jan

You Rangers Rock!

Bluffs Lodge and the Best Coffee Shop in a National Park

Jun 12th - 18:03pm | Anonymous

David and Kay - thank you so much for posting your travels... we're hoping to make it to the Blue Ridge Highway in the fall and your posts are helping in our planning! Thank you! I look forward to reading more in the coming days.

Jun 11th - 15:34pm | Joe Veler

I live in the Boone/Blowing Rock area and I think this is the "best" area of the Parkway to travel. You guys passed right by us on the way to Bluff's Lodge.

Jun 10th - 20:02pm | Don Jump

Glad you are enjoying your tour. And I hope you continue to do so. I've been to the Blue Ridge Parkway more times than I can count. I started when I was 20, and I'm now 57. And each time was on the motorcycle. I guess I've been going through my midlife crisis for a long time. As have many other motorcyclist.

Jun 10th - 08:23am | Danny Bernstein

The coffee shop is on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail which takes you through North Carolina. Follow the white circles. Danny

Unexpected Deaths of Two Mountain Goats Halt Study at Glacier National Park

Jun 12th - 09:41am | haunted hiker

From the AP ..."park officials decided to suspend the research permits until they can determine what went wrong. The three-year study on how climate change affects mountain goats is being conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of Montana." Maybe the NPS and the WCS should conduct a three year study on how scientific research affects mountain goats.

Midnight Mission Plucks Climber off Mount McKinley in Denali National Park and Preserve

Jun 12th - 07:57am | Anonymous

Our thoughts are with Joris' family and friends, Godspeed to Sam Many from Belgium thanks to anyone involved in the rescue op.

Jun 11th - 23:12pm | Anonymous

NPS volunteers camping out on a glacier for 3 days just to watch for a window to launch the bird? Three helicopter squadrons dispatched by the Air Force. Hats off to everyone involved!!

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jun 12th - 02:51am | Ken

Phil,

Jun 9th - 12:59pm | GreenMan

Maybe you would like to "shoot" the people in Arizona?

Jun 9th - 12:56pm | GreenMan

This demonstrates the effects of human overpopulation and open immigration. Our wilderness areas are just that - wilderness areas and should be treated accordingly. There is NOT an unlimited amount of space and as one sage put it, "no more land is being created". In the past, humans didn't have to go so far afield to get away from it all; to find the peace of mind unique to wild areas.

"Why I Want To Be a Park Ranger When I Grow Up"

Jun 11th - 20:44pm | Jill Jackson

I loved this poem! In fact, I was tearing up a bit. I don't know why. I'm 54 years old, and I want to be a Park Ranger, too!

The Yosemite Fund and The Yosemite Association Come Together Under The "Yosemite Conservancy"

Jun 11th - 18:23pm | Mark

Thank you for posting this article, as it gives the public (me) a chance to speak out. And now, the former Yosemite Fund, who formerly had no physical presence inside The Park, does have one, thanks to their so called merger with the Yosemite Association, something I see more like a forced takeover.

Jun 11th - 15:44pm | Benjamin Lord

One of the best films on Yosemite National Park was done some 20 years ago, I believe from Robert Redford, called "Yosemite: Fate of Heaven". At least that is how I remember the title. It is arguably the best contemporary portrait of the National Parks ever attempted, as of this moment. The film dramatically captures exactly those kind of issues your above commenter is expressing.

Dream Hikes Coast to Coast, Your Guide to America's Most Memorable Trails

Jun 11th - 17:07pm | Cornell

IMHO, because the trails selected are limited to day hikes, the appropriate title would begin "Dream Day Hikes ...".

Jun 11th - 07:52am | Kurt Repanshek

Good idea, Asa. Maybe it's all tied into our ADHD...;-)

Jun 11th - 07:41am | Asa

Cool idea for a book. Although not having any multi-day hikes is a real drawback. Unfortunately though, day hike books sell. Just look at the proliferation of "Hikes within X miles of Some City" books. I've been reading the Mountaineers Books on hiking in the Pacific Northwest for over 15 years and have noticed that there are fewer and fewer multi-day backpack trips listed.

Traveler's Gear Box: Osprey's Manta Hydration Daypack

Jun 11th - 09:35am | MikeD

That's so weird about the hose. Almost seems like you must be missing the hole, but obviously you aren't. I guess you could cut one into the fabric, but obviously that's less than ideal.

Reader Participation Day: Best and Worst Values in National Park Lodging

Jun 11th - 09:29am | pkrnger

Hmmm. I wonder if Ron's missive above will get noticed by NPS management and Xanterra? If Kurt were to publish a "report card on lodging in the parks" would it affect the quanlity of service? I believe it would.

Jun 10th - 18:58pm | Lodge Lady

The historic great lodges are pieces of our cultural history. Many are National Historic Landmarks, that's the highest historic designation a building can attain. So some are too fancy for your taste. Don't stay there.

Jun 10th - 08:33am | Connie Hopkins

For our family, it is the Old Faithful Inn! While we weren't as fortunate to get the rate that Meg got, for $100 a night in the Old House section, we stay for several days at a time. Not having a bathroom inside of our room has NEVER been an issue. As for showering down the hall, big deal! Since we are such early risers, morning showers have never been crowded!

Jun 9th - 20:39pm | Anonymous

The Woodland Cottages at Mammoth Cave are perfect! I don't go to a national park for luxury. I go to a national park to see new things in God's creation and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for a while. My husband and I visited Mammoth Cave in our first year of marriage and stayed in one of the Woodland Cottages.

Jun 9th - 18:18pm | R. Mastrogiuseppe

Crater Lake Lodge for the past two seasons has been a major disappointment with a Lodge manager from hell, filthy public rest rooms and a dining room full of expensive, overpriced, disappointing selections. We truly need a valid system to provide a Report Card on National Park Lodging Experiences. Xanterra has been selecting the most incompetent lodge managers who

Jun 9th - 17:01pm | Meg

I was extremely lucky in 2000 when the lodging changed concessioners from Amfac to Xanterra at Yellowstone, and there were some spectacular deals at the end of Amfac's last season. That October I spent two nights at the Mammoth Hotel for $26 a night, and three nights in the Old House at the Old Faithful Inn for $25 a night.

Jun 9th - 14:18pm | y_p_w

Gaelyn: Maswik might be affordable but I don't recommend their lousy cafeteria food. The Grand Lodge on North Rim has no accommodations just the cabins which look pretty cute. I'd rather camp for free in the adjacent forests and save my money for travel.

Jun 9th - 14:13pm | y_p_w

Concerned Taxpayer: Exclusive and expensive lodges should not be part of the park's services. They should be catering to the majority of the visitors not a handful of customers. Experiences at National Parks should be the natural beauty and serenity the Park offers and not spas, messages, exclusive pedicures, fine dining, etc.

"If You Enter the River, You Will Die."

Jun 11th - 07:38am | Anonymous

The sign should also say: "If you try to recue and enter the river you will die too." (At the great falls, maybe it does already)

Missing From the System? Valles Caldera National Preserve

Jun 10th - 22:03pm | Anonymous

Adjacent in your case means over a 10000' mountain range. The two areas are pretty distinct from each other; one being extreme high desert and other mountain meadows.

Interpreting National Park Settings Is a Skill, Not Something You Wing

Jun 10th - 12:13pm | Anonymous

It is the people of the NPS that really make the parks what they are. They work tirelessly to describe and add value and meaning to the beauty of the parks. They tell the stories and help us connect with history and nature.

Treasures Of America's National Parks

Jun 10th - 12:03pm | Richard

Our National parks are real treasures, we have been to see/camp/dine/hike in 116 Parks and Monuments. My one beef relates to the campgrounds that do not have electric for the RV units used by many seniors. Coulter camp in the Tetons has a good idea, a large area where generators are allowed and a large area where no generators are allowed, at least this is a start.

Jun 10th - 07:12am | Gaelyn

I think these productions are sparking Americans to visit their parks. Our visitation sure seems up. Hope we don't love them death.

By The Numbers: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jun 10th - 11:22am | susan

Hey, I have a picture just like that on my blog today! Yes it is at the old CCC camp #411 on the Kephart trail. What a beautiful area to visit, so much history. Interesting set of numbers, thanks for sharing.

On The Road Through The National Park System

Jun 10th - 08:51am | Beth Carmichael

We look forward to greeting you here in St. Joseph! Along with the Oregon Trail, we are also celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express this year (also a National Park Service Historic Trail). Stop by our Visitor Center and say Hi! Beth Carmichael St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau

Scientists Call For Oceanic "National Parks" To Preserve Sea Environments

Jun 10th - 00:11am | Mark

A very compelling discussion. Thank you, Kurt, for bring it up. A side note, and not directly related, a very small underwater preserve in Southern Baja California, the name of which I will not post right now, is the northern most living reef in North America. I am not posting the name of it, simply to keep it from getting much attention.

Jun 9th - 13:45pm | Michael Kellett

We should create a Gulf of Mexico National Park to preserve much of this globally important body of water, and a Gulf of Mexico National Ecological Restoration Area to help heal the damage caused by the GP oil spill.

Jun 9th - 10:51am | Gaelyn

It's about time we considered the oceans at part of Our world.

Interior Officials Release Rule Change to Allow National Park Visitors to Arm Themselves

Jun 9th - 23:31pm | Anonymous

For those that do not like this, just be sure to ask the concealed carry person that may come to your aid not to help you when you are threatend by a person that is not legal to carry. Your perpatrator will carry regaurdless of legality. I guess some only felt safe in the park but never outside the boundries of parks?

Young Grizzly Victim of of HIt-and-Run in Yellowstone National Park, Second Collision in a Week

Jun 9th - 22:23pm | Anonymous

A grizzly was also hit in grand Teton np recently. This is a bad way to start the summer.

What Outstanding Values Are Tied to the Merced River in Yosemite National Park?

Jun 9th - 20:21pm | Mark

Thank you, Kurt, for posting this article. As you said, differing views over those points have long delayed an updated management plan for the Yosemite Valley. Groups that opposed the Park Service's proposals successfully battled the agency in the court system.

Free Fly Fishing Workshops at Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Jun 9th - 15:37pm | Gordon Casada

Wow, this seems like a such great opportunity to show my son the basics of fly fishing. I haven't had a chance to hit the lakes lately so I am a bit rusty. Hopefully there will be room enough for us. This has been edited to remove a link to an advertisement. -- Ed.

Senators Pushing to Rollback Fees for National Parks and Other Public Lands

Jun 9th - 15:19pm | KY

"Not all visitors to National Park units are tax paying Americans. Large numbers are from other countries. How do they pay their share?" GREAT POINT!

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

Jun 9th - 14:15pm | dody

Hello people on this strand, Rick,

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