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Support Growing To Rename Clingmans Dome At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jan 18th - 16:37pm | Earlmuck

Actually, it was Denali for many years prior to being called McKinley. So, in effect, the act of naming it Mt. McKinley was "re-writing" history.

Jan 16th - 15:02pm | Dworley

How's it a new name when that was the original name long before settlers arrived? It's restoring history if anything. 

Jan 16th - 00:45am | Mike B.

I notice that the Cherokee Nation and both local counties are in favor of a change.  If a name is just a name, why not change it if that's what people want?  Names change all the time for a variety of reasons.  Do you think the original inhabitants of this region referred to it as Clingman's Dome?

Jan 15th - 15:44pm | Daniel

I agree, these woke people want to change in a little time what took many years of deliberation to do.  I think we should leave the names as is and, revert all the names and moved statues back to original state.

Jan 14th - 21:31pm | J B

My understanding is Clingman surveyed most of the peaks in this area. No mention of that in this article. 

Jan 14th - 08:54am | RFM

Thank you!! I don't think any of the previous commenters actually read the article. 

Jan 12th - 10:56am | 1984

He who control the past control the future. He who controls the future controls the past. 

Jan 12th - 10:02am | Zane

If you had bothered to read, you'd see that the name is being changed back to what it was called historically. If anything, the people who changed the name in 1859 were erasing history and now we are restoring it. 

Jan 11th - 17:30pm | Ichthus

we Are supposed to learn from the past; but erasing the past is a good way to repeat things in the past.  

Jan 11th - 12:49pm | A. Johnson

Enough of this division.  Enough. There was never "a" name for Clingman's Dome, so "Mulberry Place" is as inaccurate as any other possible name out there.

Jan 11th - 10:41am | Loui

Why not change the entire park name to some Cherokee name instead of dealing with actual issues to improve the lives of people?   Why not change the name of the state for that matter?

Jan 11th - 09:36am | chris...

erasing history.  Again.  As far as I am concerned this is an abomination of the NPS procedures.  The tribal members can make a public comment about such proposals just like any other American citizen.  The idea that they get to come up with new names for historical landmarks in America is a joke.  This is yet another insider decision by Chuck Sams and Deb Haaland.  They have made a mockery of

Traveler's View | Musings About The Parks And Related Topics

Jan 17th - 13:42pm | Sequoian

Interestingly enough, those same National Parks & National Monuments that have gone cashless, are still hectoring me to make a cash donation inside the visitor centers, odd that!

Jan 17th - 12:06pm | john928gt

Will the National Park Service act on suggestions that it charge international visitors more to enter the National Park System than U.S. citizens?

Jan 16th - 11:19am | A. Johnson

Overall, a good list of questions that likely will not be answered by the NPS.

Jan 15th - 09:48am | chris...

The biggest question is will 2024 be the year that manned kiosks at entrances are removed in favor of electronic scanngers that will check your reservation via apple, or google app to be allowed entry.   Cashless parks are already a thing.  How long before digital entry is required?

The Past, Present, And Future Of The Endangered Species Act

Jan 17th - 01:17am | Mike B.

AJ said:  "For eons, specie (sic) after specie has been changing the environment and themselves (via evolution), leading to the extinction of 95%+ of species prior to "modern man".  And "modern man" is just the latest NATURAL specie/phenomena to change the environment. Man is as natural as a meteorite or a volcano.  The cause of extinction(s) continues to be 100% natural."

Jan 16th - 11:47am | A. Johnson

Grey wolves introduced into Yellowstone:  c.l. occidentalis  native Yellowstone wolves:   c.l. irremotus   scientifically accepted proof We all know that one scientist's "proof" is another's ideological or political agenda.  Science is not subject to acceptance or rejection, or a vote.  I look to science, not scientists or "accepted proof".  

Jan 16th - 11:30am | A. Johnson

 What is different now is the cause(s) and the rate.    Not really.  This is only true if one considers humans to be "unnatural".   For eons, specie after specie has been changing the environment and themselves (via evolution), leading to the extinction of 95%+ of species prior to "modern man".  

Jan 16th - 11:28am | Kurt Repanshek

Do you have scientifically accepted proof that gray wolves are not native to the park?

Jan 16th - 11:22am | A. Johnson

the gray wolf has been returned to Yellowstone National Park,   The gray wolf is not native to Yellowstone NP, so I'm not sure that one could claim it was "returned".   I'm not opposed to wolves in Yellowstone, but it's important to be scientifically accurate.

Jan 16th - 00:34am | Mike B.

Yes, species have been coming and going as long as there has been life on earth.  What is different now is the cause(s) and the rate.  The extinctions that occurred before humans radically altered the biosphere were generally at a slower or background rate, except for the effects of the occasional supervolcano and meteor impact, and other species rose to replace them by natural selection.  But

Jan 14th - 12:21pm | ecbuck

Rosa describes "land-use change, climate change, pollution, species exploitation and invasive species as the five direct drivers of global biodiversity loss."  Perhaps she can explain how 99% of all species that have ever existed went extinct before any of those factors came into play.  

Lawsuit Filed To Block Data Center Next To Manassas National Battlefield

Jan 16th - 13:55pm | Steve

Follow the money!  Obviously a bad move. From the information you presented the county, from taxes, seem to be the only one profiting, except PW Digital Gateway. Please keep us informed and what to do to help with the fight. Follow the money?

Dog Falls 60 Feet At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Rescued In Good Condition

Jan 16th - 12:07pm | A. Johnson

If the dog slipped her leash, why is her collar still on?  Uh, I call bs on the dog slipping her leash.  

Remains Of Man Who Went Missing At Mesa Verde National Park Found

Jan 13th - 22:29pm | SF Suzi

4.5 miles is only a few hours walk from where last seen. It's not clear that area was searched; 4.5 miles is 2800 acres of "remote" and rough terrain... added to the 2.5 mile Petroglyph trail area, nearby Spruce tree trail that runs almost parallel.

Traveler's View | Should International National Park Visitors Be Charged More?

Jan 13th - 09:06am | j. alb

As someone who has worked in fees for the National Park Service in multiple parks, this would be nearly impossible to implement. The demand for National Park entry is so high, and processing and admitting folks is already difficult and time consuming. People balk when I ask for their ID with their annual pass (standard procedure and even printed on the back: Valid only with Photo ID).

Jan 12th - 13:17pm | J. Bowman

Agree that fees to visit national parks should be higher across the spectrum, and especially higher for non-citizens.  Bussloades seem to have a disparate impact on the parks - those tourists will pay the money, as they already have a significant investment in the trip!

Jan 11th - 09:44am | A. Johnson

Yes, we should charge non-residents and non-citizens more money to visit our parks.  Gobs of foreign visitors exiting their mammoth tour busses in Yellowstone should be enough to convince any conservationist that they need to pay more if for no other reason than their disparate impact on our parks.

Jan 6th - 21:53pm | y_p_w

I don't like the idea.  Parks Canada doesn't have any additional fees for foreign nationals.  Their annual passes are sold at the same price and their website specifically notes shipping to the United States, China, Taiwan, etc.

Jan 6th - 09:37am | Gary Bremen

Very interesting article. As a retired Ranger, I want everyone to be able to experience the parks, and hate that money is a barrier to many. But when we were in India, and went to the Taj Mahal, we paid significantly more that the Indians paid. I think about that trip often, but until today, I'm not sure I ever thought about that additional charge again.

Jan 5th - 17:55pm | Mather Forever

Yes. They should be charged more. 

Jan 5th - 15:37pm | Stuiterbal

Having moved to the US five years ago and having visted numerous national parks since then, I've always felt that the typical $35 entrance fee seemed extremely cheap for the value of the experience that it provides. Too cheap.

Jan 5th - 12:04pm | chris...

Welcome to your private public parks.  Payment will be via app on your smart phone.    This is obvious to anyone willing to open their eyes

Jan 5th - 11:31am | Paul S.

 

CCC Exhibit On Display At Scotts Bluff National Monument

Jan 11th - 09:37am | A. Johnson

While Scotts Bluff NM is not a "destination" park, it is worth a 1-2 hour visit if one is ever in western Nebraska.  There's also a local museum right next door for more information on the area and the Oregon Trail that ran through the Monument.

House Committee To Explore National Park System Maintenance Backlog, Park Service Not Invited

Jan 10th - 13:56pm | Phil Selleck

One of the factors I would explore is that when a program is funded at a higher level, and more projects are expected, it is also expected to be done with the people and resources at hand. Once you reach capacity, and there is still money to be spent, you might need more people.

An Arborist’s Challenge: Saving John Muir's Giant Sequoia

Jan 7th - 22:19pm | y_p_w

I've been there many times and seen that tree each and every time.

Protecting 5,000-Year-Old Indigenous Fish Weirs In Ontario

Jan 7th - 15:03pm | Debbie Drumm

An important rich history that should be shared with everyone.  Hopefully more people will read this and realize what we have in our own area.

Rangers Kill Black Bear That Might Have Killed Man Poaching Ginseng In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jan 7th - 12:21pm | Jeremy

Well a human illegally went into the bears territory, however the bear killed the human therefore the bear should die! just because someone walks into my yard does not give me the right to kill them does it?

PEER: NPS Remains Plagued By Low Morale, Rising Attrition

Jan 6th - 12:30pm | Former Employee

In 2023 this article is surprising...but sadly not that surprising. After 20 years of experiencing exactly what this article refers to in addition to physical threats, management retaliation, nepotism and cronyism, and an indifferent regional and Washington directorate...I left and never looked back.

Happy Birthday to the National Park Service Arrowhead Emblem

Jan 4th - 17:03pm | Dale W Disque

Came across your site while searching for arrowhead gifts. My father turns 87 in a few weeks and his father, Earl August Disque, had a role in the creation of the original design.  He worked for the Department of the Interior.  After his passing, we discovered all of his sketching and tools used during the process.

Prepare For Your National Park Adventures With These Books

Jan 4th - 11:06am | Will De Man

If you're visiting Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Congaree, Mammoth Cave, or other Southeastern Parks, "A Short History of the National Parks: The Southeast" is a great addition to this list. 

Private Equity Firm Takes Majority Interest In Ortega National Parks

Jan 4th - 08:10am | Stephen H Kibbey

Never Mind, Nolan Capital changed the nme of Ortega National Parks to ExploreUS. Not sure if the Ortega's are even involed anymore. They have a map of the States where they have concessios contracts, however, when you click on a particular State, nothing appears. Checled the NPA Authorized Concessioner web-site again this morning, still no listing for Mammoth Cave, not sure why.

Jan 3rd - 20:22pm | Stephen H Kibbey

Is Ortega National Parks still a concessionaire with NPS. I can find nothing about them on thw Web. Interestingly Mammoth Cave is no longer listed on the NPS Concessionaire Web-Site, I suspect this is an oversight but you never know.

Grand Canyon National Park Bobcat Died From Rat Poison

Jan 3rd - 16:31pm | CJDillon

Many residents of Grand Canyon NP seem to feel they are excluded from park regulations and management does nothing about it.

Deer Culling Operations Scheduled For Fort Dupont, Fort Washington, And Greenbelt Parks

Jan 3rd - 08:18am | James T. Jackson

Not in favor of the practice and would rather another solution be found. 

Black Studies Could Lead To New Historic Landmarks, Transparency About Segregation

Jan 2nd - 18:14pm | Claire

I wish I knew who the man in the photo was.  Was he the car's owner?  Was he a father or a member of the the YMCA?  I wonder how the rest of their lives turned out.  I wonder if any of them are still alive?  I wonder what they were playing, since they all seem to be holding balls.  Just such an intriguing picture, especially for that time period.

UPDATE | Lawsuit Alleges Recreation.Gov Is Cluttered With "Junk Fees," Seeks Refunds

Jan 2nd - 15:18pm | Debb D

I tried to obtain a back country permit in Yosemite that included Half Dome in the permit.  I tried 14 times, for $140 to no avail.  If that $140 went to the park itself for operations it would still sting, as it's a lot to pay for absolutely nothing, however, it would be going to a good cause (park upkeep, maintenance, etc.)  Instead is lined Booz Allen's pockets even further.  When you lose t

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

Jan 1st - 00:09am | Dan from Alaska

I see a ton of comments on waiting for the facts etc. Born and raised Alaska bush guy here: my take is this-the Alaskan backcountry is like no other backcountry and it's all trying to kill you.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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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.