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Motorists Cited For Driving Off-Road At Death Valley National Park

Dec 31st - 21:03pm | Scott Jorgenson

Don't think they are getting off with just a minor ticket.

Dec 31st - 13:56pm | Rich Rose

100 % agree. A lame citation is only going to increase copycat behaviour. 

Dec 31st - 08:36am | James Gordon

Should be a mandatory jail time and a huge fine.This is damaging a national treasure and these entitled idiots don't care but would start caring if they were put in jail .No mercy for these fools!

Dec 31st - 01:26am | Sherry Smith

People have considerations for nature. They want to drive in areas that say no motorized vehicle, road closed just to tear it up and have self enjoyment. They are self centered .... They should have to spend 500 hours fixing trails to improve areas. That's after a 15,000 dollar fine and 6 months jail.

Dec 30th - 13:11pm | ES

Why do you think someone who knowingly and intentionally camped outside of the permitted area (and if he's a YouTuber, he probably told everyone about it, encouraging bad behavior) deserves any sympathy?

Dec 30th - 11:56am | John A.

The activity involving the YouTube backpacker you mention are misdemeanors which could not possibly result in "5 years jail time" or a criminal record. Your account lacks crediability.

Dec 30th - 02:05am | Mike B.

All vehicles involved should be impounded permanently and sold to off-set the expenses of restoration.

Dec 29th - 17:38pm | Donna C

All you did was "cite" them?  I know of an experienced YouTube backpacker and an outdoor TV host who set up camp 200 yards from his permit site during a wild snowstorm while legally filming, and you took him to court , threatened 5 years jail time and wouldn't let him leave the country (required for his job)!

Thank You, Traveler Readers And Listeners

Dec 29th - 19:55pm | Hope Haberer

Kudos to the NP Traveler and thanks for all your wonderful stories.  So appreciate your stories and they really do enrich the lives of all of us who love the National Parks. You really make us appreciate them more than you know.

Dec 29th - 10:13am | Kurt Repanshek

We've made a conscious decision not to clutter the site with pop-up ads. If companies believe in the national parks and our work, there are other opportunities they can reach our audience and support the Traveler without annoying pop-ups.

Dec 29th - 10:10am | Lee Dalton

You're probably right, stev. But sometimes, the people who provide money to get their ads published, seek some kind of editorial control.  Is that liable to be a problem?  However, there are also some outfits that may be reputable enough to keep their paws off.  

Dec 29th - 10:06am | Lee Dalton

This is GOOD news! But when you finally decide to retire, Kurt, there HAS to be SOMEONE out there in this big confused world who is capable of replacing you.  Maybe, if we try hard, we can find them.

Dec 29th - 09:52am | stev

is there some reason you dont have ads like every other web site ?  If it is because you are a non profit  its time to change  . Every where you go on internet there is ads . I had given $100 to help  where is ads for rei , target , walmart , all the other companies who would want out eyes to click on thier ads ?   You wont make it after after 6 months unless you get pop up ads

Dec 29th - 08:57am | Bill Chapman

It's so good to see that you and your staff will carry on!!  Thank you all for your dedication and hard work covering things for us.

A Hell Of A Place: The Devil's Role In National Park Place Names

Dec 29th - 10:42am | C Perkins

After visiting there, I think the name Devils Tower demeans the Indigenous sacred history of the spot. Bears Tower or Bears Table would be more fitting, if not as dramatic. 

Nine Injured By Lightning Strike At Old Faithful In Yellowstone National Park

Dec 28th - 11:28am | Krissy

I was one of the nine struck this day, we did not sue lol. It is however one of my "cool" stories to tell 

Actor Pierce Brosnan Cited For Walking In Yellowstone Thermal Area

Dec 28th - 09:16am | Lee Dalton

But . . . But . . . He's FAMOUS!  And wealthy.  Don't fame and wealth convey special privileges?

The Bridge Over The Virgin River, Zion National Park

Dec 28th - 05:20am | Rebecca Latson

Antoine, you should check Zion National Park's website to find out about closures and other alerts.

Dec 27th - 19:02pm | Antoine France

Hi Rebecca,  Is the brige whos been closed in May ? Is it fix or it is another one ? comin soon, thanks 

More Access Opens In Death Valley National Park

Dec 26th - 20:11pm | Abby Wines (Dea...

You are correct. There have been BLM employees also assisting with road work.  Caltrans and Inyo County have also done a lot of road work, but the roads they have worked on are not part of this group that just opened.  

Dec 23rd - 11:57am | Smokey

There are also other agencies assisting DEVA with their flood recovery. It's not just NPS employees.

Senators, Congressmen Join Bid To Restrict President's Use Of Antiquities Act

Dec 26th - 19:39pm | Rick B.

From my house I can see hillside slopes that were managed in the manner described --- denuded, a more descriptive term. Not a one of these congresscritters is a friend.

Dec 26th - 18:30pm | allen bohnert

Agree - lets us it to the full extent = positively, of course.  Plus, if using the Antiquities Act to designate National Monuments was good enough for Teddy Roosevelt, then it's good enough for me as well.

Dec 25th - 10:01am | Bill in Montana

If using the Antiquities Act to designate National Monuments was good enough for Teddy Roosevelt, then it's good enough for me.    

Dec 24th - 17:00pm | lori Atwood

The timber companies' idea of managing a forest area for " permanent timber production" is to clear cut sections, leaving the slopes essentially bald.  Small and large animals that had lived there have their world upset.

Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Points To NPS Morale Issues

Dec 26th - 19:08pm | WaltD

So exactly what level of improvement is sufficient IYHO?   Years after year after year the NPS scores in some of the lowest levels of employee satisfaction across the entire federal government.  NPT has every right to pusblish the results as they are publiuc records widely read.  And where better to publish them than NPT which covers everything NPS?   

Dec 19th - 18:14pm | Chris…

Cash bonuses are not a perk for the seasonal staff that largely comprises the most workforce. it sounds like they intend on paying the problem mgmt to keep up the good work...

Dec 19th - 16:13pm | BCKENNER

NPS employees don't need PEER to tell them the NPS has serious employee morale and retaliation issues. NPT does a service by publicizing these continuing poor employee polls. This has been true for 20 years.  

Dec 19th - 13:05pm | Kurt Repanshek

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2023/11/sunsets-arent-enough

Dec 19th - 12:48pm | What more can p...

So. Are you a mouthpiece for PEER or reporting on what is really going on?   Scores improve but not good enough for NPT.   Maybe PEER can keep NPT afloat? 

2023 In Review | Stories That Deserve Another Read

Dec 24th - 06:51am | Mather

Thank you for posting.  Good articles.   The Great American Outdoors Act has been a tremendous plus for the NP System.  Bipartisan legislation is something we could all embrace.  I don't understand why the Department of the Interior doesn't do more to tout its success.  Seems like a winner.

UPDATED | National Park Service Proposing To Demolish Deteriorating And Unneeded Structures At New River Gorge

Dec 22nd - 11:02am | Mr. Brightside

Everything seems possible - when you don't have to implement it!    Properties are acquired all the time with no idea concept of how NPS will pay to operate these things and no new money.  I applaud the park for moving this forward.  

Dec 22nd - 07:41am | Judy Deegans

NPS is about to commit sacrilege by demolishing buildings in the New River Gorge and in the town of Thurmond. Sad, indeed.

Dec 22nd - 00:52am | John Dickman

It would be nice to see pictures of the proposed buildings to be demolished.

Dec 21st - 14:31pm | Jean

If any of these buildings are listed on the National Historic Registry, then they should stay.

Dec 21st - 14:13pm | Stuiterbal

I disagree. Only buildings with significant historic or cultural significance should be kept. If the NPS acquires land that has various random ranches or basic agricultural infrastructure, those should just be removed.

Dec 21st - 06:33am | Ryan B.

I'm sorry to burst the bubble, but when a park becomes a National Park and contains items, locations, or artifacts listed in the National Historic Registry, it is supposed to be against Federal Law to "remove, deface, or disrupt" said items. These properties are a part of history. They should either be kept up or allowed to "Naturally" return to nature. Yes, I said what I said. 

Dec 20th - 13:37pm | Steffanee Jurado

Houses are history.

Help The Traveler Earn A $7,500 Match From The National Parks Conservation Association

Dec 21st - 14:17pm | Kurt Repanshek

The hope is that donations from readers and listeners will match that amount. So far this week donations have reached $5,000.

Dec 21st - 13:43pm | Stuiterbal

What are the requirements to reach this $7,500 match from the NPCA?

Update | Jemez Pueblo Quickly Given OK To Take Eagles From Valles Caldera National Preserve

Dec 20th - 18:42pm | Tom Ribe

The Valles Caldera National Preserve is surrounded by Pueblos. 6 Pueblos are close to the Preserve and another 13 Pueblos exist farther away. If more of these Tribes seek to kill eagles in the Valles Caldera, the eagle population could be destroyed. This is a no-win for the NPS. Hopefully this is the last time anyone wants to kill an eagle at the Valles Caldera.

Review | After The Blast: The Ecological Recovery Of Mount St. Helens

Dec 20th - 13:48pm | kathy dickerson

very interesting subject, one many, many would like to learn about. incl. myself.  but wagner uses scientific jargon and the backgrounds of his ecologists (geologists more interesting) way too much, cluttering up the subject.  By page 97 I wanted to throw the book across the room.  That's why i'm thanking you for telling us about later info.  You read it so i don't have to.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Testing Electric Trail Maintenance Equipment

Dec 19th - 14:37pm | David Govatski

The battery technology is getting better all the time. We switched to battery powered chain saws, pole pruning saw, and string trimmer a few years ago. You still need bar and chain oil for the saws but we have been using biodegradable bar and chain oil made from rapeseed or what we know as canola oil. The big saw companies sell biodegradable bar and chain oil alongside their fossil based oils.

National Park Service Working To End Trespass Cattle At Valles Caldera National Preserve

Dec 19th - 13:13pm | WaltD

Why should the so-called "do-gooders" spend their own money?  You don't explain.  The ranchers whose cattle are trespassing on public land and causing habitat injuries should be sent bills by the NPS to recover public monies spent in repair  And yes, the NPS should be more proactive in responding to these incidetns.

Dec 18th - 08:06am | Loui

How much does it cost to sue the NPS?  Maybe if the do-gooders spent that money on fence repairs the issue would be resolved already.

Fee Change Coming To Grand Teton National Park Backpacking Permits

Dec 18th - 18:10pm | Hoyt Johnson

I was helicoptered out to Idaho Falls last summer ($85,000 for the 65-mile ride), but no hard feelings; I'm going to try for the Grand again next summer.  The small increase in fees doesn't trouble me.  A movie ticket costs more than that these days.

Work Underway In Congress To Help, And Possibly Hurt, National Park System

Dec 18th - 08:57am | chris...

Everything listed as a positive is just a transfer of the wardens of that land to recreation.gov.  Putting it in wilderness status and or making it a national park/trail is just a euphanism for recreation.gov will now take your money.   

The Trouble With Horses On Cumberland Island

Dec 18th - 07:27am | Suzanne Spengler

As an owner of several horses in my life I agree explicitly with everything that you have shared from your heart.  There is a season for everything under the sun and it's time for the season of change for these beautiful horses.  They are not being cared for properly, and the environment is not conducive to a healthy existence.    

Readers Comment On The Future Of The National Parks Traveler

Dec 17th - 15:35pm | SmokiesBackpacker

Kurt et al are the only responsible guardrails against the NPS and their fee abuses. Other media are complicit in the schemes that have taxed citizens to use lands for which they have already paid taxes over and over again.

Traveler's View | When Did The National Park Service Lose Its Voice?

Dec 16th - 18:56pm | Where is the co...

Below is a note from the Director to all NPS employees. Yet no coverage in Traveler?  --------------------------------------------- Dear colleagues, 

The Essential RVing Guide

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