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By the Numbers: National Monuments

Aug 6th - 05:05am | MRC

I'm not familiar with a National Monument in DC and could not find one on the NPS website. Can you point me to the unit you refer to? If you are thinking of Washington Monument, that one is - despite the name - designated as a National Memorial, not a National Monument. [MRC is quite correct. The reference to Washington, DC was incorrect and has been deleted. BJ]

Reader Participation Day: Should Pets Be Given More Leeway in National Parks?

Aug 5th - 23:25pm | y_p_w

Basel: National parks are wildlife sanctuaries and the policy of keeping dogs off trails is a sound one.

Aug 5th - 20:17pm | Basel

National parks are wildlife sanctuaries and the policy of keeping dogs off trails is a sound one.

Aug 5th - 20:05pm | Basel

My sentiments also.

Aug 5th - 15:40pm | Connie Hopkins

I am not a dog person so I don't understand nor can I appreciate the feelings that some people have towards their 4 legged friends. I have seen them locked up inside of campers, I would imagine that they would probably prefer to be running in there own surroundings rather than being cooped up. When I see them they're usually barking their heads off the whole time!

Aug 5th - 13:53pm | Bobbo

I'm a dog owner. And frankly, so many other dog owners annoy me. I'd rather not have to deal with them in a park. I love my dog. But she's my DOG, not my CHILD. She doesn't really care whether she's chasing a ball in a parking lot down the street, or in a unique Wonder of the World at a national park. I'm happy to leave her home.

Aug 5th - 11:54am | macon pets

National and State parks should have accommodations for pets. All they need is a little space for running around that is specific for animals. That way it gives the people with pets a place to go and leaves the people without pets that do not want to be around others pets a place also.

Aug 4th - 23:53pm | OnDaRoad

As a Full-time Rver, who both has worked in and regularly visits National Parks, leaving my dog 'at home' or in a kennel really isn't an option. Living in a National Park means your dog is restricted to walks on the campground roads. Luckily most parks have National Forest land nearby where your dog can run free.

Aug 4th - 21:30pm | Anonymous

Once in Yellowstone my then 10 year old asked me in a very calm voice why people bring dogs to the park. Her comment was overheard by a woman sitting under a tree with her dogs. She threatened to shoot my daughter for her questiion yelling that the dogs were her babies and if she had a gun she would use it!

Aug 4th - 16:45pm | Cornell

At first, I was going to say that the regulations should not be changed because there are too many irresponsible pet owners; but, then I remembered that if this rationalization were carried out to its logical conclusion, all humans would be banned because of the irresponsible behavior of some -- such as those who get too close to bison to get a better picture of it.

Aug 4th - 15:44pm | Anonymous

I just wish the rules would be enforced, whatever they may be. I have dogs and love to travel with them. Yet, often when we are going to visit a NP, we leave them at home in a kennel (and always come home to a pretty significant kennel bill). So, while I am missing my dogs and paying dearly for their care, I often find many people in NPs with their dogs and no concern whatsoever for the rule.

Aug 4th - 15:37pm | Anonymous

It is inappropriate for dogs to enter our national parks. The only non-human animals I want to see in the parks are those that live wild there. I don't know of any wild animal who welcomes a dog into his territory. The parks should be reserved for the animals who live there and the humans who appreciate there presence.

Aug 4th - 15:25pm | Ron Mastrogiuseppe

National Parks need special places for visitors to walk their pets since they often have been traveling long distances in warm vehicles. At Crater Lake, Sequoia and Redwood NP, while serving as either a volunteer interpreter or uniformed naturalist, I have found that pets provide an opportunity to meet very interesting people since all pet owners love talking

Aug 4th - 15:03pm | y_p_w

Karl: From a safety perspective I wouldn't want to see dogs allowed in bear country. This is a case where dogs and horses probably shouldn't be equated. I'm told a horse actually decreases your chance of a dangerous bear encounter while a dog will increase it.

Aug 4th - 13:53pm | heff

It is always interesting to see/hear dog owners claim that their dog(s) are well behaved, friendly, leashed, and always cleaned up after. As a walker, and frequent visitor to public parks and our wonderful National Parks, I must state that encountering any dog while on a path or trail is an uncomfortable experience. One, I'm sure, many dog owners cannot understand.

Aug 4th - 13:50pm | Anonymous

I love my dog, but don't travel with her. I think most dogs, even those who are well-behaved, are likely to bark at and frighten wildlife, so I would probably say "no" to dogs on most trails in the national parks. I did see two dogs on my recent trip to Sequoia, one was in a tote bag and the other in a pillow case! Both were at the General Sherman Tree and on the shuttle.

Aug 4th - 13:19pm | dustyboots

As a dog owner who formerly lived in a national park, and as a traveler who has visited many, many national parks, it amazes me the broad spectrum of dog acceptance within the NPS system. Petrified Forest NP allows dogs on trails, and I've had some of the most delightful walks there with my dogs. Grand Canyon, where I lived, has a rim trail on the South Rim that allows dogs, but nowhere else.

Aug 4th - 13:00pm | Cutter

Dogs on horse trails equals potential mishaps. Many dogs have never seen a horse and would get aggressive, defensive, barking, jumping around, etc. A long leash gets tangled around a horse's leg and somebody's not gonna feel so good!

Aug 4th - 12:12pm | Anonymous

I kinda like the "No Children" rule until they learn to behave.

Aug 4th - 12:07pm | yellowstone98

Can't we have one place in this entire country where there isn't dog crap to be stepped in? Chrissy Field. Hold the line! Enough said.

Aug 4th - 11:52am | Karl

From a safety perspective I wouldn't want to see dogs allowed in bear country. This is a case where dogs and horses probably shouldn't be equated. I'm told a horse actually decreases your chance of a dangerous bear encounter while a dog will increase it.

Aug 4th - 11:14am | Anonymous

While I understand this poster's frustration, I think that saying all dog owners must be responsible is harsh, unrealistic, and unfair. How about "until all drivers stop speeding we won't let anyone use cars". or "until everyone controls their children we won't allow children in the parks. I like the idea of allowing dogs some trails and not others, perhaps the trails that allow horses.

Aug 4th - 11:10am | y_p_w

I was going to make some snarky comment about "dogs on leases", as if they were being rented for a defined period. However - I'm in a good mood today.

Aug 4th - 10:31am | RangerLady

There was a woman in Shenandoah who asked if any pet was allowed as long as it was on a leash. When told it applied to all pets, out came her pet chicken on a leash!

Studies Show Bear Spray More Effective Than Guns Against Grizzlies

Aug 5th - 22:16pm | Anonymous

It seems that you have a serious axe to grind. This isn't so much to do with the Second Amendment but more to do with what is going to protect you best from a bear attack. Why don't you bring bear spray to protect yourself from a bear and bring your gun to protect yourself from other people etc.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site Offers Window Into the 19th Century

Aug 5th - 21:26pm | preston

My fiance -- who readily admits she's "no nature girl" -- enjoyed our visit to this ranch in July of this year. We happened to arrive during a ranch days celebration, with wagon rides, tours and while the blacksmith was at work. The variety of sites the NPS offers us is one of its attractions.

Aug 4th - 14:14pm | pkrnger

This great place is on my "to do" list for NPS visits. I've also heard from others that Ms. Meikle is an outstanding interpreter who is extremely knowledgeable about the history and significance of this NPS site.

National Park Road Trip 2010: The Corps of Discovery Returns to the Dakotas

Aug 5th - 19:01pm | HappyNorthDakotan

I am glad you enjoyed your trip to the Williston area. I live outside of Williston on Lake Sakakawea. I am a California native, but a North Dakotan by choice for 11 years. I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I hope you get a chance to come back during the Rendezvous. It is fantastic. Happy travels!

Oil Spill Doesn't Seem To Have Major Impact on Gulf Islands National Seashore's Nesting Shorebirds

Aug 5th - 17:48pm | tortoisewerx

do not beleive one can ever be overly critical when it comes to a disaster of this magnatude... just pointing out that an article of this tone sounds as if the BP responsibility and the effects are minimal, when in fact the truly critical damage has just begun to unfold... the NPS should be puuting the thumb screws to those &%$^$#!*...

Aug 5th - 14:27pm | Kurt Repanshek

You're a bit overly critical, Anonymous. As the story points out, these are just the current conditions that are being observed, not the final word on what might occur down the road.

Aug 5th - 13:02pm | Anonymous

I am an avid "collector" of National Parks, almost have made it to every park once and am now working on doubling them up. I enjoy the Traveller but today I am disappointed that Traveller would run a peice without any further insight or forsight into the long term damage of this oil spill.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Hatchlings Released Into the Atlantic Ocean

Aug 5th - 16:25pm | RangerLady

I'm curious as to what will happen when the turtles reach sexual maturity. Usually they come back to the beach they were hatched on to lay their own eggs. Does this mean in the future not as many turtles will be heading to the Gulf coast to lay their eggs?

Aug 4th - 12:50pm | Anonymous

Several folks from my office attended that release. It was indeed at Canaveral National Seashore.

Aug 4th - 10:55am | Kurt Repanshek

Fair enough. Here's a blurb from the July release of Kemp's ridley turtles from the Kennedy Space Center site:

Aug 4th - 10:41am | MRC

@Kurt: The press release does not specify whether the release site was within Merrit Island NWR or at Canaveral National Seashore. Both protected areas are on Merrit Island.

Gloryland Brings Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson Full Circle

Aug 5th - 11:11am | Shirley Keller

What a delicious read. I had just returned from hiking and photographing Wawona and Granite Point areas. Reading "Gloryland" was as if I hadn't left Yosemite. Mr. Johnson's love the mountains, love of history, ability to capture the essence of both, made this a page turner. My Step-Pop was African American.

One More Bear Put Down in Yellowstone National Park

Aug 5th - 10:17am | Bob

I was in Yellowstone's backcountry in June and there was no bear canister rule. We used the installed hang.

Aug 4th - 17:32pm | y_p_w

Karl: I could be wrong about Yellowstone. I came up from Grand Teton so I already had my cannister. The backcountry offices asked if I had one so I assumed they were required, but maybe not.

Aug 4th - 15:47pm | Karl

I could be wrong about Yellowstone. I came up from Grand Teton so I already had my cannister. The backcountry offices asked if I had one so I assumed they were required, but maybe not.

Aug 4th - 15:37pm | Kurt Repanshek

I hadn't heard that about Yellowstone, though Grand Teton does have a canister rule for backcountry stays.

Aug 4th - 15:32pm | Anonymous

Karl: No more bear hangs, except in emergencies. Bear cannisters are required in Yellowstone backcountry (and most other bear populated US parks.) I ran into a black bear near a backcountry campsite there and the bear was completely unfazed by my presence. Walked straight towards me. I'm sure he would have happily ate my food if it was out.

Aug 4th - 11:23am | Karl

No more bear hangs, except in emergencies. Bear cannisters are required in Yellowstone backcountry (and most other bear populated US parks.) I ran into a black bear near a backcountry campsite there and the bear was completely unfazed by my presence. Walked straight towards me. I'm sure he would have happily ate my food if it was out.

Cedar Breaks National Monument Great Backdrop For Perseids Meteor Showers

Aug 5th - 08:49am | MikeD

Cool. In northern Wisconsin people have been enjoying the aurora borealis due to some sunflare activity.

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

Aug 5th - 01:09am | Anonymous

I disagree with Bruscino. When in doubt, with a bear charging you, shoot first/talk later has to be the default action of any person. Waiting to try and learn what may be unknowable might result in action taken too late and those two hikers might have been killed or maimed by the grizzly bear.

Wolverine Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park

Aug 5th - 00:25am | Milan Hanson

My son and I met a wolverine as we descended Bowen Gulch Trail in the Never Summer Wilderness just west of RMNP on Sunday, Aug 1, 2010. We didn't see a collar, but we didn't get a good head-on look because he was carrying a small animal in his mouth. When he saw us, he spun around and went quickly round a bend down the trail ahead of us. We weren't fast enough with the camera.

Easy Park Hikes- The Window View Trail at Big Bend National Park

Aug 4th - 22:23pm | Anonymous

Visited Big Bend for a week this spring for the first time. Window's View Trail was nice, but hiking out to the window itself was great. Don't know why I waited so long to visit this park. Will be back again soon--once the temperatures are lower. Another not to be missed experiences is a bird walk with Mark Flippo who knows birds better than anyone I have ever met.

Will Delaware Finally Get Its "National Park"?

Aug 4th - 16:21pm | Sheila Mensch

It has been common knowledge for years that Delaware has no national park. What amazed me when I looked at the NPS geographic search site was that it had nothing, nada- not an historic site , not a monument nothing.

Lodging in the Parks: Beware the St. Mary Lodge & Resort

Aug 4th - 15:43pm | jim

I had same kind of experience at Cedar Grove Lodge in Kings Canyon.It was like a skid row motel,dirty, noisy, lousy CSR's I could go on.

Aug 4th - 14:29pm | pkrnger

I have checked www.traveladvisor.com and have found the reviews, in general, to be consistent with the negative review given by Kurt on his recent visit. I'm surprised they can stay in business. I hope Kurt gets his money refunded.

National Park Quiz 85: Trees

Aug 4th - 10:36am | tomp

#8: Actually, not so much on the math; we're lazy, and after a long day in the field, we can be pretty brain-dead. Almost anybody measuring tree dbh uses either a Biltmore stick or a dbh tape.

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