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National Geographic's National Park Maps

Mar 3rd - 20:24pm | Shunnon

National Geographic is not cheap, I like use easygps, it is free, it provides a fast and easy way to create, edit, and transfer waypoints and routes between your PC and your Garmin, Magellan, or Lowrance GPS. It supports import of .LOC and .GPX files and also allows you to add waypoints manually, and import existing files.

Of Geologists, Paleontologists, And Science in the National Park System

Mar 3rd - 20:12pm | JTR

Science has advanced so much, and there are so many sub-disciplines, that you just can't have all you need on staff. Nor can you have all the equipment, CAT Scan, scanning electron microscope, dating lab, and on and on.

Mar 3rd - 17:05pm | repanshek

It's been changed. Kurt

Mar 3rd - 16:54pm | Anonymous#3

Yo, Anonymous - change your username! It's ridiculous that only you can now post as "Anonymous".

Mar 3rd - 13:48pm | Anonymous#2

Point #1: Whichever goofball registered using the name "Anonymous" needs to have their NPT account deleted because no one else can leave a comment as "Anonymous" since the name belongs to a registered user. Point #2: This stems from the fact that NPS is severely underfunded. Fund NPS and you won't see any of these problems.

Mar 3rd - 13:13pm | Gerald

Tom: FACT is, your comments are nothing more than talking points of the NPCA and other groups who give nothing to the parks but lip service (like their little Bush-bashing tents manned by misinformed college kids at park VCs before the '04 elections).

Mar 3rd - 13:07pm | JTR

The Park service certainly has had an "erratic" performance on science. Budgetary constraints are a part of it and so is the agency culture. But consider how they are under intense scrutiny and immense skepticism if they try a new approach. Flexibility in using and targeting your resources to the highest priority needs can be an important tool and reap big rewards.

Mar 3rd - 12:46pm | JTR

I'm happy the moderator edited out the personal attacks. Now can we call for a more calm and reasonable tone. The bullying and attempts to intimidate anyone who disagrees does nothing to advance the discussion on this topic.

Mar 3rd - 11:59am | Tom

It's really too bad that some people (like anonymous above) will not identify themselves but post ignorant comments with absolutely no facts to back them up! FACT: The 2 positions in question contribute 54 years of combined professional experience to the program! FACT: Outsourcing, interns and seasonal help cannot replace 54 years of experience and excellence!

Mar 3rd - 08:35am | pete Reser

What's overlooked in abolishing the two palontology positions at DINO is the fact that these positions are then gone forever and the Service cannot restore them. And these are the very positions that allow the Monument to perform its core legislative responsibility which is to conserve and protect its fossil material.

Yellowstone National Park Announces Spring Plowing Schedule

Mar 3rd - 18:51pm | Anonymous

I saw the title and thought Interior was now opening the park to farming. Not that big a jump from loaded guns.

Park History: Mount Rainier National Park

Mar 3rd - 08:53am | Snowbird

Snowbird06 Chance, your story inspires me to conquer Mt. Rainier this summer. Good job and keep writing for: "the pen is mightier then the sword".

Would a Change in Gun Laws Be a Threat to National Park Bears?

Mar 2nd - 20:08pm | Philip Sanfilippo

No Guns Should Be allowed in our national parks PLAIN AND SIMPLE NONE AT ALL.

Mar 2nd - 13:58pm | wildvisions

That's simply not true. Two people were killed on the Hula Hula River a couple years ago, and they had a firearm. They were killed in their tent, by a bear that was likely food conditioned by litter at local fish camps. Statistically speaking, you are safer with pepper spray than gun.

Mar 2nd - 13:55pm | wildvisions

Obviously you do not live here in Alaska. Thousands of people frequently come in close proximity with bears here, and there is no problem. I for one spend countless hours in the field with both wolves and bears. If you are that afraid, perhaps you should not be hunting, and certainly not in Alaska.

Feb 29th - 23:46pm | Dave O

Julie Helgeson and Michelle Koons would probably still alive today if just one person in their party or a nearby party had a firearm available. In fact, many of the persons listed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America...

Feb 29th - 11:50am | RICHARD HETRICK

i would love to travel to alaska to hunt and fish but traveling thru the states with a weapon , i would not be able to go thru a national park is absurd. nobody in there right mind should get that close to a bear. with or without a gun.

Western National Parks Contaminated By Airborne Heavy Metals, Pesticides

Mar 2nd - 15:27pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 2nd - 13:15pm | Rex

Snowbird, "Dr." Jensen is one small voice and he sees $$ and job security by perpetuating the myth. Ya know, the less people on the planet equals one less "carbon footprint" and it will help to ease "global warming"....

Mar 1st - 10:54am | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Feb 29th - 11:37am | Gerald

Another example of junk science to justify more $$$ for scientists versus hiring more rangers that the public really desires. Global warming? LOL...how about Global COOLING instead: Snow cover over North America and much of Siberia, Mongolia and China is greater than at any time since 1966.

Feb 29th - 09:15am | Snowbird

Snowbird06 This is extremely alarming and with global warming on top of it. Let's face it folks, we have huge problems ahead. Do you really think the EPA cares enough to make it a national policy to put strict controls on these harmful contaminants that are harming the National Parks.

Carrying Guns in the National Parks -- Is This Being Fast-Tracked?

Mar 1st - 14:43pm | Fred Miller

"Carrying Guns in the National Parks -- Is This Being Fast-Tracked?" Actually, this is a excellent example of how good the government is at dragging it's feet. This link will let you read the whole story. It also has additional links to other sources about this issue in case you would rather not take the NRA's word for it.

Feb 29th - 22:15pm | rangertyler

Guns in Parks? Do We Need Them? If the antecedent of "we" is "National Park Service", then I'd say you've posed a very intriguing question.

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

Mar 1st - 07:59am | PEACEinPARKS

If you don't want loaded guns in national parks, use the following link to send an e-mail saying so to your reps. in Washington. http://ga1.org/campaign/Coburn_Amendment?qp_source=adv%5fhme

Feb 29th - 12:28pm | Prophet

Finally...an actual reasonable response to the topic instead of "guns are bad" and those who believe in the second amendment are somehow kooks. Barky, you do well by illustrating a good point that I had heretofore not thought of with regards to the loss of, as you put it, fear of wildlife(perhaps healthy respect may be better).

2007 National Park Visitation Shows 3 Million Visitor Increase

Feb 29th - 17:56pm | repanshek

Bill, I've long been suspect of these visitation numbers. You cite an extremely good example. How many folks traveling U.S. 209 between East Stroudsburg and Port Jervis are park visitors and how many are folks on their way to or from work?

Feb 29th - 15:43pm | editor1

So, how is a "visitor" defined for the park service's purposes? There seems to be a correlation between high numbers and "major roadway." Bill Watson Pocono Record (Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area -- 4.8 million visitors)

Critics: Changing Gun Laws in National Parks Would Open a "Pandora's Box" of Problems

Feb 29th - 11:11am | Scot M.

Mr. Fletcher James,

Feb 29th - 00:41am | Fletcher James

As a Park Ranger I would think that you would understand that criminals are going to carry guns anyway whether you like it or not. These same people have no respect for you and your government position. There are people out there that do support you and as a fellow Law Enforcement Officer I find it comforting to know that there are law abiding citizens out there that will stand up for you.

Bison Slaughter In Yellowstone National Park Draws Protest Against Park Service

Feb 29th - 09:49am | MPB

On 11/17/97, I spoke with Cheryl Mathews, of YNP - she was a PR officer, I believe, and she told me that the Yellowstone bison slaughter started in 1984, 24 years ago. Here's the earlier total, from Cheryl Mathews; year 2000 and beyond are from BFC:

Feb 28th - 17:30pm | jsmacdonald

Mack, Then, we are closer than we are farther apart. And, I hope that despite our disagreements over tactics (and Rockefeller), that we will continue to work in solidarity on behalf of Yellowstone's beleagured buffalo - now there have been 760 killed by the combined slaughters of DOL and NPS and the Montana hunts, as well as the Salish Kootenai and Nez Perce hunts.

Feb 28th - 15:40pm | MPB

"Do you think that members of the Park Service should be doing more to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone buffalo - at the various levels of the bureaucracy?" Yep. Hard to do so in today's political climate, thanks to Bush, Inc. "Is the IBMP completely independent from the partner agencies who manage and enforce the IBMP?"

Feb 26th - 23:52pm | jsmacdonald

Mack, Do you think that members of the Park Service should be doing more to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone buffalo - at the various levels of the bureaucracy? Is the IBMP completely independent from the partner agencies who manage and enforce the IBMP? Should the National Park Service be doing more to change the IBMP?

Feb 26th - 21:59pm | MPB

"If it is not easy for rangers to get out of their situation, then they do deserve our sympathy (which I have already said and which you seem to conveniently ignore)..."

Park History: Grand Teton National Park

Feb 28th - 17:25pm | jsmacdonald

Mack, I'm a pacifist so that should tell you about what I think about war. You have to show the contradiction of ends and means in the grim reaper notion of the NPS related to protesting their slaughter of Yellowstone buffalo because I don't see it. As for the accidental killing of someone from delivering a loaf of bread, how is that even an ends and means question?

Feb 28th - 15:38pm | MPB

"I don't believe that ends ever justify the means; the ends and the means are inextricably linked."

Feb 27th - 21:05pm | Matt M.

Jim, I appreciate your economical use of words to make your point.

Feb 27th - 01:39am | MRC

Jim, you are rambling. The sellers sold their land to a buyer. For a price they accepted as fair. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Feb 27th - 01:01am | jsmacdonald

Mack, I don't believe that ends ever justify the means; the ends and the means are inextricably linked. When someone says that a particular end justifies the means, they are denying this tight link. As long as a good end happens, according to this view, how we got there doesn't matter. So, if someone was given the problem: 3 + 4 X 2 = x

Feb 26th - 22:18pm | MPB

In some cases the ends DO justify the means.

Feb 26th - 21:49pm | prairiegirl

The ends did justify the means-without it this area would now be filled with even more mcmansions and you and I would not be allowed behind the gates. And it's not Yellowstone it's the park with big mountains!

Glen Canyon NRA Releases EA on Castle Rock Cut Deepening

Feb 28th - 17:19pm | Mahfood6

Boaters are harming the lake more now that they have to travel an extra 12 miles to get up the lake from Wahweap. Cutting the short cut will allow boaters to access the rest of the lake without burning as much fuel to get there. So all in all the cut would help rather then hinder.

High SO2 Levels Force Road Closure at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Feb 28th - 00:11am | Claude GRANDPEY

Hi! Here is an excerpt of the observation report I sent to Jim Kauahikaua last summer about the observations I made concerning gases in the halema'uma'u area:

Former Park Service Director Dickenson Passes Away

Feb 27th - 18:53pm | Rick Smith

What was most impressive about Russ was how he protected the parks from the political influence of people like Secretary Watt, Assistant Secretary Arnett and the people who worked for them. He and his senior staff in the DC headquarters took the heat and kept it off park superintendents. For that, he will always be on my list of true NPS heroes. Rick Smith

Feb 27th - 15:06pm | Art Allen

Scott - Couldn't agree more. Russ sat in the chair when everyone above him was anti-NPS mission. President Reagan was no friend of the parks... "Seen one tree.. seen them all" But you know, that is what is happening riow and since 2001. The difference is in the resistance to the bad policies of the current administration.

Feb 27th - 12:20pm | Scot M.

Russell Dickenson was NPS Director when I entered on duty for my fist NPS job in 1982. Although I did not know much about the political underpinnings of the NPS then, I have come to realize that Director Dickenson did a marvelous job leading the NPS through tough political times and adversarial political appointees in the early 1980s.

Interior Secretary Opens Door for New Gun Regulations in National Parks

Feb 27th - 08:44am | Rick Smith

This is an issue that has been manufactured by the NRA flexing its election-year muscle. There is no overwhelming public outcry for guns in parks. They are among the safest places in America. If someone doesn't feel safe without his/her concealed weapon, go to the public lands in our nation where carrying is permitted.

Feb 27th - 02:13am | Undaunted

According to my state's records, most concealed carry license holders are older persons, with the most rapidly growing segment being the 50+ age group. These are mature responsible people who have a long life history without criminal behavior, and who've taken mandated courses in gun handling, responsibility and safety.

Dinosaur National Monument Cutting Paleontology Staff

Feb 27th - 01:26am | Diggergirl

First of all, I would like to say that it warms my heart to see such passion and fire in these blogs and posts regarding the atrocious problem at Dinosaur National Monument. In matters such as this, these educated comments and discussions are exactly what we need in addition to the letters and messages to those politicians.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

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.