NEW PLAN for National Park Campgrounds
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- The National Park Service has drafted its "Second Century Campground Strategy" - Jason has read through it and summarizes the changes the NPS is looking to make for RV travelers and tent campers in its parks. Plus, we share a little history on campground development. You can provide public comment on the NPS document here before it's finalized: parkplanning.n...
#RVlife #RVMiles #FulltimeRVers
The worst thing would be to make NPs look like private campgrounds. I don't care that there's no pool or playground. I do care that i'm not 3 feet from my neighbor.
Exactly, it's supposed to be a trek into the outdoors not an amusement park.
Right. Who wants to see a trailer park (RV camp) in the middle of the beautiful wilderness?
The Colter Bay Village area of GTLC.com was way too cramped & mismanaged in my view: summer season 2020. The DoI & NPS need to relook how they arrange campers, sites at certain high traffic points; federal holiday weekends, summer. The national parks are important & the focus should be on the land 🏞, 🌲, wildlife not on 🏕 or boats.
Those big rigs should go park on asphalt at 1000 trails parks lined up next to each other 2 ft apart and talk about how quite their generators are all night.
@@gailwind4168 Some big rigs avoid those places because maybe they want some quiet, some nature and NOT to be 2ft from their neighbor. I understand your problem with big rigs acting like they are in resort campgrounds at NPs.
People acting like they/their preferred method of camping own the place are the problem.
What I want to see in campsites is more space between campsites, and more vegetation providing screening from other campers. We go camping to get away from it all, and to be in nature, not a parking lot. Fewer kids on bicycles making noise and hazards on the roadways in the camp and more control over noisy campers in the first place, especially in the evenings.
Amen!
WHAT! CAN'T HEAR YOU.. GENERATOR RUNNING.
Why do I always have to have a generator or a noisy kid in the next campsite?
I can get annoyed by kids also, but I do love to see kids on bikes rather than them laying around glued to their phones.
Kids are fine, that dink with the noisy generator lights my fuse.
No privatization! The national Parks should be for everyone and not just for people who can afford expensive vacations. Also, they should be all about the care of the natural environment and appreciation of nature.
Amen!!!
Allow me to play devils advocate. These parks operate at huge losses. Without taxpayer support they can not exist. But tax dollars aren't limitless and parks have closed in the past for lack of those tax dollars. So would you be in favor of fewer parks so long as none of them are privatized? Is privatization of some of those parks the greater evil??
Some of the national parks already charge hefty fees for entrance. Private business already runs hotels, motels, food service and shops. The campgrounds are an inexpensive alternative for those who need that option with low cost upkeep since they only provide the site, bathrooms with only have toilets and sinks only, and a place to dump garbage. Campground hosts can be onsite and be people who are willing to caretake the campground for the privilege of having a free campsite. Billions of dollars are provided to local economies due to the presence of national parks. The cost of administrative staff, park rangers and other staff along with the need for upkeep of the roads are necessary. I don’t mind my taxes assisting with that.
@@backcountry164 the government likes you to think that tax dollars are scarce and hope you never find out the truth. Tax dollars are not as scarce as the politicians make them out to be for one. For two we should go back to taxing the rich like they used back in the 50's and 60's and even into the 70's. The 80's is when you start to see a shift in the tax cuts for the rich and the decline in wages which also leads to less taxes. And then there's bloated budgets for things we don't need but that make politicians rich so those industries and private sectors get money over things such as parks that the public would benefit from.
I have decided I like rustic campgrounds the most. They tend to attract the kind of camper I can most relate to. We camped at Mammoth Cave, Badlands, Mile High (Smokies) and Porcupine mountains (MI) this year, almost all rustic with no electricity and a really great experience. I love that I can disconnect and simplify while camping.
I'm working towards that. Figure out what I'm doing first and them move to more primitive. Seems like it gives you more options and I want it QUIET when the cat and I go for a hike.
I love that to. I also want it quiet. I don't want someone else camped right on top of me. I like my space.
I prefer the more rustic ones too! Preferably where people actually camp in a tent! To me 'real camping' is not in a big rig with TV's, running water, and generators. At 74, I long for the way it was in the tiny campgrounds when I was a child and my grandfather was a Forest Ranger:)
I feel the same. My annual trip to the Boundary Waters spoiled me with real primitive camping.
Those are the best campgrounds, it’s sad how we as humans some not all are relying and can’t live without there smartphone
I don't want anything that takes away from the quiet, serene camping experience. Please don't let them be privatized.
WHAT? CAN'T HEAR YOU.. GENERATORS RUNNING
It's worth noting that privatization doesn't mean it would turn into a KOA. It would still be the property of the federal government and they would still decide how it was used.
But how else will they turn a profit?
@@chuckaustin3836 Generators should be banned at campgrounds.
@@hillcountrymax The obvious counter to your point is this. Why should every taxpayer chip in to support something that only a tiny fraction of them will actually use??
Totally agree, no need for additional concessions \\\ nature is enough, just electric and decent roads running water is good enough.
And sewer hookups and large enough spaces for modern rigs.
Why have campgrounds? It destroys the experience.
@@talisikid1618 : Not everyone wants to undergo the full-on, backpacking-in-the-wilderness experience.
I think if there was electric, central location for water and dump station. No need for campsites to have full hookups at every campground.
So now everyone needs electricity to enjoy nature? Really, get PG&E in there too burn the forest.
Much fun has been taken out of camping. It's become expensive, over regulated, spaces are to close together.
Check out the 'free camping' tab at Campendium or The Dyrt
it isn’t OVER-REGULATED......there are a hell of a lot more people camping now. REGULATIONS are there to preserve the health of the land so that we can ALL continue to enjoy it.....and the fees pay for maintenance.....Really getting sick of you anti-government peeps
@@teslah2997 No kidding right. They need to wake up with out fees there would be no roads, no potties, no nothing. They think Government can't solve anything yet they do all the time and the rick people sure enjoy all the benefits they get from us. But oh boy want to help average folks forget it. That's when it comes full circle that Government needs to be smaller and it don't work.
I agree - campgrounds are way over regulated. There are more rules at these campgrounds than at the state pen. Boondocking is the way to go for me.
We spend our money at NP campgrounds because they are NOT like private campgrounds. We bought our 34 foot MH so we could fit into NP sites. We don't want or need extra amenities that cost a arm and a leg. Yellowstone Fishing Bridge Campground is run by a private company. The sites are on top of each other and are way over priced. Same with the one at Grand Teton. We would rather pay less and stay in the traditional campgrounds at both parks.
GTLC.com runs the "concessions" at Grand Teton.
The big problems in the modern era, 2020s are the limited spaces for RVs, trailers, SUVs, campers. The camp area trails, sidewalks, roads are NOT designed for huge crowds, massive crush. Grand Teton Natl Park, NPS.gov had record levels of attendance, camp-RVs. 📊. The park rangers, NPS are under staff & in my view: poorly trained/supervised. Vail Resorts, GTLC.com has the current contract for the camp grounds, parks in WY but that is up for bid soon. Overall, the US Dept of Interior & NPS, park management need to better contain the safety, wildlife-boating, resources. Some 🏕 have unsafe roads. The cabins & lodges have carbon monoxide problems 🚒🚨🚧 . Long lines tie up the streets, roads in the mornings. NPS & DoI need to address that too.
we do the same for 8 to 15 hrs on trips not worth $ 40/50. to mainly sleep and a overnight or a week to two is great at senior coe prices
I agree. Private campgrounds are ugly and very expensive.
@@jimbobxcityguy5338 and no one wants National Parks ending up the same way.
Those birds sounded more like Sandhill Cranes. I agree with others, don't privatize Na Pk campgrounds!
Yes !
100% sure they are NOT Canada Geese
@@NatureAndOther exactly, he must have gotten an F on that report, didn’t even know what they are called.
Yeah they were Sandhill Cranes. Not geese.
Those were not geese, they were Sandhill cranes. The fact that you can't tell a goose from a crane, speaks volumes about how divorced from nature you are in your RV. ... Personally, I would ban RVs from National Park campgrounds. You do not get the outdoor experience watching TV on a satellite dish in an RV. Who wants to listen to a bunch of generators running in a campground? In my opinion, campsites should be for tents only, with no running water or electricity at the sites - just an auto, van, or pick-up sized parking space, a picnic table, fire pit with grill.. Have a few water spigots located around the campground and bear proof dumpsters for camping trash. A large heated bath house with toilets, sinks and showers. That's it. A fleet of giant RVs in a campground ruins the experience for most other people. I do not consider an RV to be a camper. It's a mobile home. ... Last time I was in Yosemite N.P., there was a freaking golf course within the park! Ridiculous.
Exactly, they sounded like Sandhill Cranes. Also, there are no Canadian Geese. They are Canada Geese. Thanks!
When it comes to campgrounds, less is more. The KISS solution.
Exactly! They are running into trouble when they have to cater to the big RV's. They require a much bigger infrastructure that needs constant maintenance. Bigger sewers, more power, wider roads, paved roads, longer campsites, etc. Just stop! They need to go to an rv resort.
If you want less then skip the campground altogether.
@@jonmccauley6490 The only "catering" need doing is have decent sized sites.
I'm not sure I can trust any gov agency right now to take the campers best interests in mind. I can only imagine "reimagined National Park Campground based on catering to Corporate plans." It would look like Disney Adventures in the Woods and cost about as much.
BINGO!
I like the idea of upgrading the bathrooms. But lets keep them affordable. I like that they don't have all the things that commercial campgrounds have.
@catmodelt Hygiene
Keep the National Parks Natural.
Amen
Love this
Unfortunately, a lot of the campsites are taken over by people who want to drag a 30-40ft house with them, complete with TVs, stereo, etc. They then fire up their generator, turn on their noise makers, and destroy the peace. If they're going to watch TV, they should just stay at home or "camp" in the WalMart parking lot. Keep campgrounds simple and quiet, with space between the sites. Be a good neighbor and respect your fellow campers. Take care and enjoy nature -- thanks!
I know I'll get lots of crap for this but, if you're sleeping on a bed you're not camping :-) Myself included.
Yes to making camping more accessible to the disabled. Keep tent-only sites far from RV sites. For noise purposes. I camp for solitude.
International geese/Sandhill Cranes.
same here , i love the peace m nothing worse than having all that noise to add to the rude people problem , you know the ones , the ones that walk through your camp with out asking , and dumb ass's showing up at night with their head lights blazing , flash lights pointing every where as they set up making all the noise they can , thats why I go places like BLM land and take every thing basic I need , have a good day camper , PS also the price of many of these camp grounds and have to put up with all this mess , so i think your right about moving tent campers away from the RV's , But i will go a step further the tent camper need to be "much much" further apart so we dont have to here a bunch of drunks busting up wooden pallets at 2 in the morning
As an old guy that’s definitely not the hiker I was in the 1960s when I started, I agree. I absolutely want the handicapped and elderly the have access to nature, but that being said I don’t want to listen to a generator run, loud music and TVs, or barking dogs. Allowances need to be made for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
@@redwing771 - I agree with you. I motorcycle tent camped in April at Cheaha State Park, AL. Part of the campground was shut down for renovation and the upper camp sites were not good at all for tent camping... very rocky/hard ground with little grass/vegetation. And the sites were all on top of each other. I had a family of four (two pre-teen girls) camp right next to me for two nights making all kind of racket and the bright lamps looked like the full moon in their campsite! I was rather annoyed by them.
@@jamessummerlin9516 agreed ,
@@TJRohyans Oh yes the good days motorcycle camping , that was the days , but i was still looking for out of the way places to camp in peace , 1 thing I use to do was stop in local dinners and get a coffee /lunch and of course people want to spin motorcycle stories , so in that time I would ask if anyone knew of anyone that might let an old biker camp out on privite land turn out to be better than many camp grounds back east that dont offer a lot of BLM land because I love the peace , now that worked sometimes so if you ever fell pressed you might try that , good luck Bro
When we go to a national park we expect no amenities like water, electricity, sewer hookup. We expect rr with toilets and cold water. We don’t expect onsite hot shower. We expect a place to camp that blends into the landscape. We have camped in national parks enough to know that going in. My fear is that some infrastructure renovation would be expensive and possibly diminish that landscape experience.
I did security in WY, GTLC.com . Summer 2020. To improve the roads & trails is good. I'd suggest having all NPS structures, cabins checked for carbon monoxide. The camps had 🚒 fire safety & first responder problems too. Huge class A motor homes or RVs with huge trailers or 🚤 can not just park anywhere or go anywhere. The NPS & rangers seemed inept, unprepared too for summer camper seasons. Grand Teton in 2020 had record high levels of RVs, tourists, campers. 🏕🛶💲
@@DavidLLambertmobile Lots of new campers this year who don't know camping etiquette!
Go to Natural Bridge in Virginia. It was privatized in the early 1800s. The nation's first tourist attaction. Not the way we want to go with our national treasures. Please keep national and state parks focused on the natural world not moneymaking amenities.
That's the sad thing about our state campgrounds in California. They have increased the fees in most cases to $35 a night. This is absolutely ludicrous!
I am happy that the State and National parks are very much in Nature. As I call the “ RV Parking Lots” are nice but being right next door to someone is not what I call camping. Praying the State and National Parks keep the ambiance.
Great quick history lesson on National Park camping! A little more “big rig” friendly would definitely be a plus. Keep the “resort feel” and amenities out. Enjoy what God has put before us and that is the beauty and serenity of our National Parks.
I'm opposed to commercialization, privatization.
Me to please don’t do it
Never happen.
Can’t be worse than the poor bathroom and showers we have now. State and National parks restrooms are disgusting.
Please make a comment on their document then.
Private parks are way better than government parks dollar for dollar.
I believe that the National Park Service does an amazing job with the resources at their disposal I believe that many of us prefer the natural beauty of the parts and that if anything they should just be updated from a standpoint of the natural beauty and access for folks with disabilities potential Road Improvement otherwise leave them be
I really hope that they are not going down the privatization road. I have not had any positive experiences with this strategy.
Hi from Rapid! If updating the campgrounds means packing more spaces in, then leave them alone!
I think they should be kept Raw. Meaning, a few upgrades but if you accommodate everything you are going to need more space. Where do you get the space from? The natural landscape? The forest? We don’t need to bring our entire home to the National Forest. The concept is to visit the National parks not live there!
I believe the NPS should charge campers by the footage they occupy..........at present(excluding hookups), a 50' RV vs a 6' tent are charged the same rate??
In Nevada the state parks charge the same per campsite but charge an extra fee if the hookups are used. So if tent campers pull electricity to charge their electric car or run a heater in their tent they get charged just like an RV does. And if an RV decides to dry camp/boondock then they get charged the flat rate without the extra. I think that's a pretty fair compromise.
I work security 👮♂️ at GTLC.com summer 2020. 90 days. There are many safety & logistics problems with the camp sites, cabins. Large RVs 🚐 & SUVs with trailers create a lot of problems. To manage the wildlife 🦌🦊🐿🐻🦅🦆🐍🌲 is important too.
@@DavidLLambertmobile exactly! It’s the RVs, SUV, MH that are the problem. If they are allowed, they should be changed extra to cover the extra issues they create.
@@talisikid1618 the RV motorhome camp sites, areas along with 🏕 camper, hikers, etc can be staged or have schedules but NPS & the LE rangers 🚔 do not want that hassle. "Boondockers" or transients are all over the ⛽ station lots, stores 🛒. NPS rangers could not trespass or cite these campers.
I would like to see electric added, better than listening to generators. Enlarging sites without taking away from natural feel would be nice also.
😀❤❤❤❤❤❤agreed, great point about some electric so you dont have to hear generators!!!!
1000% agree
Noooo. Get rid of electricity and forbid generators. If you can't handle the great outdoors without all sorts of 102v junk, then stay at home in the city where you belong!
Dear, God, please don't privatize our National Park campgrounds.
Already being privitized. Yellowstone and Teton are run by concession companies. I believe there are more than that.
@@travelswiththebeast3337 Yeah, and you get idiocy like the pay per minute showers at Fishing Bridge. Definitely not a good idea to spread that stupidity.
@@travelswiththebeast3337 Yes they are. I believe Flamingo Campground in the Everglades National Park is run by concessionaires. We stayed there last year. It was fine. It was just a little more expensive.
@@susanhayes9275 yep, look at it getting more expensive
I don't think there is an issue privatizing the operation of them. They won't actually be sold. NPS staff are not the best folks to actually run the campground and it can be done more cost effectively by others. Of course, the guidance documents need to be correctly set up.
As a Cancer Patient/Survivor... I've wanted to get away 🚶 for a couple of weeks... treatments monthly requirements limit my travel... hoping I can find Disability Friendly places to Camp.
What is your disability?? My friend and I had issues so we got a truck next is a 5th wheel. What do you need??
I live in my coachman. I camp with a hammock and tarp. Please, please separate the tents from the campers!! My grandchildren that love to backpack with me will thank you all!!
Every time I hear "re-imagine", I shudder...
I Prariedog when I hear it! 💩
Didn't they want to re-imagine Policing too? How'd that work out? I just keep re-imagining Trump in the Oval Office.
I prefer tent camping and yes outside companies bringing promises of amenities need to stay out of the National Parks.
Pge run camps here and they've deteriorated since. Gross outhouses, never repaired and they used to be open year round now ...open only Memorial to Labor Day. Thinking its deliberately done to put people off, then try to buy the land cheaply. Would hate to see more privatization.
I agree, they tend to make them more RV friendly because they can charge RV's more then tent camping. They need to establish a ratio of tents to RV's.......or allow tents to use the RV sites without paying the RV full hook up rates.
Have separate areas for tents, and RV’s/vehicles to keep noise minimal.
I went to Colorado this summer, and the jackass next to me had a generator going all day long. So much for peace and quiet.
This is why campgrounds should have electric hookups - it eliminates the need for running a generator.
Please NO privatization of any aspects of our National Park systems.
Thanks for the history. Very interesting. Lots of facts well presented. Privatization would be a bad idea even though modernization would be good.
OK! They're Sand Hill Cranes! This is why I didn't do well in 3rd grade!
Gotta admit, these YT viewers will keep you honest! lol! Whatever they are, I Loved their impromptu serenade!
If they had wifi in National Parks you could study online different species, and native species!
:P
@@ScripturesAndScience Seems like a great idea, until you realize others go out to the National Parks to have just one spot in the World they are not getting bombarded with EMF. I would rather wait to use the Wi-Fi when I get home, not out in nature.
@@ttennagvd07
When your WiFi router transmits data, it emits EMFs that the body can absorb. The greater the distance you put between yourself and your router, the less radiation your body encounters. The amount of radiation absorbed from a wireless router is minor compared to the EMFs transmitted from taking a call on a cellphone.
This is not speculation it is a scientific proven fact.
So you are implying youre leaving your cell phone home for the weekend?
:P
@@ScripturesAndScience Yes, Many do not live for their phone. I was not questioning "scientific facts". Just making a simple statement. Please kindly allow my opinion to be different than yours. Thank You & Enjoy Nature!
I would vote for more dispersed camp grounds. There are way too many people in our country and way too many people (especially in summer) in camp sites. When i go into nature i want the heck away from people.
Use BLM Lands you can avoid the crowds because no amenities and facilities just nature .
Yes, and so many of the problems in the world today are due to overpopulation. Irresponsible breeding. Quit cranking out babies people.
I agree the best neighbors are no neighbors.
Yes!!!
Then you have to go off season.
don't let these people sell out our national parks! These are for your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to enjoy. Vote!!
I can’t count how many times I’m enjoying my beautiful, QUIET, tent site and an RV pulls in next door and fires up their noisy generator. Horrible.
I understand the frustration. People playing loud music at their campsites really annoys me. BTW, many NP campgrounds have no-generator areas or tent-only areas.
Just ban gennys altogether... Any idling of any kind of motor over a certain limit (to allow for parking heaters in cold weather). Solar has gotten cheap enough that the basics can run just fine, every time I see an RV with gadgets up the wazoo but zero solar I cringe.
I agree even though I'm now and RVer. Not just noisy but also fumes.
This is what makes those walk-in tent campsites a little extra special, they can be totally separate from RVs. However, I have seen tent campers use generators too. So it's not just RVs.
@@mikoserbousek4987 How about people who camp in tents, go to tent camping only spots. And, speaking as a person who has an RV, solar wont power everything. They just recharge the batteries, and the batteries dont have enough energy to power a lot of things in the RV.
I agree there should be tents only, and RV only spaces to get around this.
@@LastNameTom I built a 38' bus conversion, solar powers everything in my rig from the full sized fride to the air conditioning and even heat in the winter. Its doable. (3050W on my roof)
Primitive camping is where it's at. Pack out what you pack in and leave no trace and you'll be good.
I'd be very happy with this. I must say at my age I need more then a tent. I can't get off the ground, and a bathroom is needed. Aside from that, I can get by with nature. I love cooking on the fire, going to bed with the chickens, and getting up with the chickens (no need for lights). I go for the piece and quite, and the wilderness. A class B or small C is fine thing fancy. Please keep it simple. Hope to be able to get out there in the Spring.
We just bought a 15' camper, we tented for 30 years, want to keep camping, but it's getting tougher to crawl in and out of the tent, I'm sure we'll miss it though. And no generators for us, too noisy.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I love our National and State Park campgrounds. Only I see more and more in some areas our parks and campgrounds are becoming neglected, overgrown and in much need of some TLC. It breaks my heart to see how bad parks I grew up camping in look today. I wish the Federal and State level park officials would realize how much could be accomplished to restore the beauty of our campgrounds through local volunteers that would gladly help restore our parks for all to enjoy once more.
Leave the parks as natural as possible. Amenities beyond restrooms and trash disposal can be had in other places.
NO to mega size sites
Do you understand that by being anti electricity, anti paved paths, anti water that you are limiting the parks from a TON of people?
All these people claiming they love nature and then want a bunch of gas-guzzling, noise-polluting, air polluting cars and prohibit electric cars... doesn't make a lot of sense.
@@elainevegan5386
I’m not following
@@da4 When you say 'the only amenities campgrounds should have are restrooms and trash disposal' you are saying no electricity.
But the absence of electricity means:
- no electric cars, only ICE cars which pollute more (ICE stands for Internal Combustion Engine)
- no hookups for RVs which means they'll run their gasoline or propane generators which pollute more and are noisy too
- no plugs for medical equipment which means no one who does nocturnal dialysis, uses a CPAP machine, a nebulizer for asthma, or other medical device
Thus, your declaration that 'campgrounds should remain natural' is not only a declaration that certain people who need electric medical devices shouldn't camp, it's also a declaration that gas fume pollution is acceptable.
@@elainevegan5386
👍
@@elainevegan5386 Equating "campgrounds should remain natural" with "people who need electric medical devices shouldn't camp" or "fume pollution is acceptable" is over-the-top strawmanning. Warrantless moralization of the issue IS bully behavior.
I find that people tend to look down at me when I take an "rv" spot when my camper is just a small astro van that I can use shore power with.
Hi Folks! Welcome to this week's video. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the NPS' "Second Century Campground Strategy," so please drop a comment below. Also, thanks to those who shared their insight on Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese. We are clearly not well versed in such things, and wow, did you all let us know that with a vengeance. lol. We've now done a dive into Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese and appreciate the quick feedback.
I'm glad Canada Geese aren't as big as Sandhill Cranes, as we would all be dead in the Upper Midwest from mean huge Canada Geeses 🤣 Geese are mean. Sandhill Cranes aren't shy but they don't just start attacking you like Canada Geese will lol
I HATE HATE HATE the privatization of our National Parks.
I worked briefly for GTLC.com . WY, Grand Teton National Park. The park had a concession plan with Vailresorts.com . Vail Resorts had very lax standards, poorly run security-safety depts.
I hope they have designated sites for tents only.
@catmodelt Most people prefer to pitch a tent on soft ground vs. the pavement that RVs desire. Plus tents are usually quieter than RVs with generators, ACs etc.
@catmodelt Nothing wrong with RVs, just keep some distance from those in tents for noise purposes. I'm hoping to get a van soon for road trips. Maybe convert a Ford Transit.
@@MK-vc4uc not much is more annoying than a generator in the woods. I guess ATV's would be next.
totally agree, RVs with generators completely destroy the ambience of camping. Generators should be totally banned in NP campgrounds. if you can't handle camping without your microwave, TV, etc, then camping isn't for you.
@@rabidmarmot yep. Stay home.
The parks are run down because they are just getting too expensive for themselves. This is because they feel they need to cater to these big RV's and they don't! Keep the sites small. Keep the roads to a minimum. Keep the power and sewer lines small. There's no need for an RV greater than 20ft long, so restrict the sites to that. Let these big rigs stay in the nearest rv resort.
The parks are for experiencing the outdoors and these big rigs pollute the views and the air in the parks. They obstruct views across the campgrounds, and require huge diesel trucks to pull them.
FYI, those Canada Geese were actually Sand Hill Cranes, you can tell by the distinct sound that they make.
And how loud they are 😁
sites large enough for a 30ft 5th. overhead clearance to allow access and curves with turn radius that you can enter and exir without damage. That’s all we need. Cannot even enter most np campgrounds due to low limbs narrow roads and bad turns.
I've been fortunate to stay at a lot of the lodges in national parks run by concessionaires. And almost without except, the food in those lodges was terrible. That is my biggest problem with concessionaires.
The food may suck, but the concession run bathrooms in campgrounds at least are stocked with soap, and have a way to dry your hands that doesn't involve a pants leg. Usually even have hot water.
Keep the boxes with wheels on the outer edges , let real camping continue in the interior . Adding water and electric sites bad idea .
We do both. We avoid campgrounds as much as possible. We get out a lot and frankly we have noticed few Americans and more foreign visitors. We won’t be visiting costly private parks.
It's great to see the National Park system campgrounds get updated. I would hate to see them sold to concessionaires where the only change would be higher campground and services costs, that's especially true where the campground already exists and was funded by taxpayers and park fees. I understand that the money from the campground sale would benefit the park, but that is a short term monetary gain foregoing the long term fee collections and reasonably priced public campgrounds.
They aren't going to be sold, only operated by a private company. As long as the NP has good ground rules for operation, really no issues here. Several, including YS are already done this way.
@@christopherhaak9824 If we have annual or senior passes we won't be able to get the campsite fee discounts.
@@icdeadppl4u That is not true at all. Several are already operated by concessionaires and you get the discount.
@@christopherhaak9824 On their website they say that campgrounds run by concessionaires don't honor the discount. But if they do, then cool. I've been avoiding them because of the website. Next time I'll ask but have a plan B just in case.
Most concessionaire campgrounds do not offer pass discounts.
More friendly to tent campers? NOT! In my opinion, kowtowing to the RV industry is commercialization too.
They have already privatized thghe reservation system and it sucks
It totally sucks I'll never use it again. Republicans think privatized anything is good because someone is getting rich of it.
I agree. All the good sights are reserved up months in advance and when you drive through, many are vacant due to no shows. I can’t plan that far out and who wants to have a rigid itinerary on a camping trip? Privatizing has ruined it for me.
We love the national parks, their campgrounds, and appreciate them however they are! You provide some wonderful insight for everyone.
My husband and I are staying at Sumner Lake State Park in New Mexico. We were sitting outside last night enjoying the stars and planets when some sandhill cranes came over. We hand more going over this morning, heading south. They are loud, and very well organized in flight.
I 100% loved when they added bath houses. Being able to pop 4 quarters in and have a long, hot shower before making the trip back home after a long weekend of playing, hiking, and basically getting dirty and sweaty is awesome!
Agreed about the showers Rebecca. Nothing like it. Also I made it a rule never ever arrive home with a single stitch of dirty laundry!
If they didn't have facilities at the campground I would find a laundromat "in town" where I would wash and fold every article before bringing it in the house.
One thing that did annoy me was years ago when the state run Savoy Mountain (MA) campground changed to "low flow" toilets. There were signs everywhere about how much water these new toilets would be saving.
Then on the day I was leaving, I actually counted seven flushes, SEVEN loud swooshes and gurgles! Yet when it refilled there were still two full-size trout circling the bowl.
I say bring back the outhouse. It falls, it lands there among so many others, and there it stays. Thank you.
With this I yield back my time.
Incredible amount of research you did.. as an avid camper and outdoor person, i had no idea.
Thank you for this video !🙋♂️
Definitely wish there were campgrounds with more of a tent focus. Hate camping in a tent surrounded by big rigs.
Why don’t I like that word “reimagine”?
It's something the U.N. might say about your country they don't live in...
They are going to "reimagine" the price.
Sadly it often means they think they can do better than Mother Nature, which often means to destroy the natural look, chop down trees, and flatten things. Sigh :(
@@maiaheiss2991 yes.
Maybe because the libs want to "reimagine" gun laws? That's what I think of when I hear that word.
These campgrounds will be the new HOMES of lots of people when the evictions start this winter!!
If Biden is elected we will all living in prison camps!
@@danielbarrows7144 Seriously?
Unfortunately I'm very serious sad to say the Democratic Party is the Nazi party. Look it up Hitler was a socialist and put many people into prison camps, and since I'm an old white man I'm sure they will want to lock me away. 😳😵
@@danielbarrows7144 you need to study some more. Hitler was not a socialist. He was not a capitalist. He was not a communist. He was a fascist. The title of his party has nothing to do with his political platform.
Susan Matz I am a student of history and Nazi stands for national socialist in German, therefore Hitler was a socialist look it up, not making this up.
NP and ACOE are my go to places for 50 years. Yes the sites need to be longer. I can't stand in private park camping my door hitting the camper next door the sites are so money grabbing close.
Glad to hear they're keeping them updated but still 'natural'.
Once when tent camping at Spirit West Coast in Monterey, it was very early in the morning at dawn. thousands of people camped everywhere and only a few were up fixing coffee, no children awake, very quiet and everyone’s being so respectful. Anyway, there was a very low-lying cloud overhead and a flock of geese came through under the clouds at probably only 35- 40 feet above our heads, you could feel The rush of air from their wings as they made way above us. Everyone awake could hear and feel them as they froze in awe. We were blessed indeed.
They should make only tent sites in National Parks. RV's make noise with their generators. Spoils the wilderness experience and you can fit more tents without them. Make RV parks just outside the park.
I love ❤️ state parks and national parks. The state park in my pix here is just a parking lot type by the ocean but I love it. I don’t need anything else.
I like what you have to say - my only concern is private development- keep it out. If that means no amenities - no amenities!!
The Flying V was a perfect exclamation point to you comment about keeping the parks natural. Thank you for the update.
I don't want amenities, I want solitude. Make it so the guy in his rolling house isn't looking down into my tent.
Come on take from a guy that hammock camps tent camps and built a school bus conversion you get a better choice of spots Yosemite has entire camping areas for tents only.
If you want solitude, then you need to just avoid the main park campgrounds and head for the back country. Of course, that means you need to put your camp on your back, but that's a small price to pay for solitude.
@@billmandaue2168 Years ago I did Sierra Club backpacking training & hiked in Shawnee State Forrest in OH for graduation trip. Did not have a comfortable pack. Now in my 70's still like long day hikes the best!
@@JoelPit Those hammock tents look comfortable!
@@billmandaue2168 You can car camp for free in most national forests and grasslands. No backpack required.
Great video, and even though I wanted to quickly jump on the goose/crane bandwagon, more than that I want to thank you for taking the time to read through that NP document and provide a short, informative review of what you got out of the proposed plan. As a former career wildlife biologist, slogging through environmental and other planning documents was my job, and we always appreciated the review and input from ordinary citizens that take the time to read this stuff and educate themselves to what's going on with the places and resources they care about. Thank you!
The best holiday ever . Camping, caravaning , and all the amazing places to see.
Other things I see in comments: When you say you want more but shouldn't have to pay more you are saying that others should foot the rest of the bill for you. It costs money to build and maintain these things so if you aren't paying for it then someone else is (taxes for instance). Also keep in mind bigger spaces means less spaces. NP camp grounds are usually sold out during the season and less sites would mean even less access for people.
Pulling a large metallic house behind your vehicle, parking it, hooking up to electricity, and/or running an obnoxious generator, is NOT CAMPING!!!
Says you
We are trying to become debt free and go full time RVing.
Enjoyed your video
Boondocking is priority for us.
@catmodelt
Why do you say that?
Agreed, no privatization at NPS or commercialization. I go to them for peace and simplicity and I hope we keep them set apart for that purpose.
Love the shot of the large motor home at the dump station with the little Casita trailer behind it - we used to have a Scamp and now have one of the smaller Rpods - for the very reason to be able to fit in small sites, use dry camping sites and not need hookups or all of the RV park style amenities. I like when the campgrounds blend in and are about being out in nature.
I hope that the price per night doesn't increase substantial as I'm retired on fixed income and can't afford 50-100 a night campsites .hope also as I do a lot of boondocking not only for price as they are free or very low but for solitude locations quite and beautiful but some of the roads to them are not rv friendly and sites hard to get into and small sometime but I have found a few that are great as my daughter and husband go or meet me find and send directions and pic and GPS and found a few on my own some good some bad but also it's kind of a challenge to enjoy when you find a great spot .hope they might improve some roads though. keep camping enjoy life and outdoors and keep up your articles .thinks RT😷😄
I think as a camper all my life, the idea is great. One of the biggest problems I have faced is the reservation process, most of the individuals have no idea of how to answer questions that campers have. Can tent campers park next to rvrs, can cab over campers come into so called rv resorts. Just a sample of questions
I love to camp in national parks especially Calvin Coolidge in Vermont. Beautiful views
Great video and absolutely agree. Great way to end the video with exactly what you are in a campground for-the experience of nature. No need for rec centers and wifi. We just need trails and access to the natural wonders that are the reason for the park. More campgrounds is the one thing that is needed. It’s very hard to get a site and often an artificial problem because loops or campgrounds are closed.
All spots having electricity is NOT inclusive. Charging for power without dispersed camping available is a rip off. Natural environment.....designed for huge rigs..this drips of irony.
The new plan does not suggest that more campsites get electricity. That determination is based on availability and the resources of the park. The plan only suggests the standards to be used when electricity is supplied.
I agree!
I certainly understand your perspective... but another way to think about it is that it would eliminate the need for people to run generators... which would improve the campground significantly, especially if you’re in a tent next to the RV. Again, not trying to say all sites should have electricity, but just pointing out it could have a positive outcome for tent campers too. Also, in the future of electric cars (like Tesla), they could be good too... but now I’m really getting on the bushes (pun intended).
@@RVMiles it sounds like a scam pictures of benchley will tell you what electricity you can use like what you can power whether it's a TV or a toaster there are a lot of homeowner associations letter restricting people and how they use their water and how they use their electricity even though they pay for the electricity themselves and that's not part of the rest of the neighborhood slowly but surely they're taking people's rights away and making it more communism and they do it with very little baby steps so I would tread with caution
In the Nevada State Parks that offer electricity or other hookups they just charge $10 extra for the campers who use them. It's very fair in that way because both RVers and tent campers will use electricity, but plenty of either also don't use the hookups. Or they might need hookups every other day. This is a possible solution to the problem you raised. My point is that solutions exist and are already being implemented in plenty of campgrounds. The document from the NPS uses specific examples from various locations as 'ideal' campground design.
I would like to see some kind of well organized volunteer corps whose mission it is to help campers that are disabled or from other countries or otherwise might face obstacles to camping here. Easy enough so set up with apps on phones. I'd volunteer when I'm out camping. Not drive 500 miles to help somebody but happy to help my neighbor or the next campground down the road if he or she isn't always physically able to do everything or needs help understanding how things work in this country. I think it would be rewarding and I'd make some new friends for sure.
Not worried about space, if there are less extravagant rigs at the parks, I'm all for it.
Camping lately has been like a contest to see who has the most outrageous setup.
I'll take the minimalist route thank you very much.
The National Parks are great. Some updates will be great, but they do not need concessionaires. Your assessment is spot on....they should be enjoyed for the nature they encompass and the reasons they were originally built. There are lots of commercial campgrounds to be found for those who want a commercial experience.
I hope to one day get to camp in a National Park.
As long as they don't charge me with my Tacoma pickup bed mounted roof top tent the same as a regular full size RV (or they provide spaces for people like me who don't need all the hookups but still want a flat spot to park) then I'm good.
I would love to see more established camp sites in national parks. We were lucky enough to get a camp site for 4 days in Yellowstone this year and enjoyed it immensely. Hopefully next year the park will open fully so more people get a chance to experience our national parks. FYI we bought the National Park Pass and has turned out to be a great money saver!
Thank you for this video. We have never stayed at a NP campground because we usually can’t fit with a 40’ travel trailer and our trips are more “last minute” as I travel fulltime for work and usually don’t get more than a couple weeks notice.. It would be great to modernize the amenities: power, water, sewer, wifi, restrooms... But we certainly would not want those pristine parks to turn into a Jellystone or KOA.
Excellent topic, maintenance and renovations WAY overdue. Now all we have to do is elect some congressional representatives that actually "appropriate" the earmarked dollars to the targeted campground projects, rather than line their pockets.
We really love staying in the National parks
I'd love to see new sites and campgrounds take priority over more electricity, water and sewer to existing sites. We stayed at the Gros Ventre campground close to the Tetons and we had no hookups, I have plenty of solar on our fifth wheel and tank capacities to boondock for several days. All I need is a dump station on the way out when we're leaving.
More sites even without any hookups would go a lot further towards helping the biggest issue and that's the lack of available sites especially during the summer.
I just discovered your TH-cam channel. And I love it. I love that you're practical, straightforward easy to understand, no crazy music in the background etc etc. You don't need a shtick. Keep it up! I subscribed!
Thanks for such positive feedback and welcome. We are glad you’re here!
Limit RVs. The humming of generators and blocking the scenery.
Being an RV person (converted skoolie), I see the NPs as more of a boondocking option. The simpler folks are probably more on the end of enjoying nature- maybe separate areas for big rigs and smaller vehicles, putting everyone into the same space is probably a mistake. That and expand rest areas or develop completely RV oriented alternatives.
Those birds sure sound like sandhill cranes, not geese. And thanks to the alert about NPS goings on.
It's great that congress past this bill, the Parks really need it. We're getting ready to embark on our full time RV adventure looking forward to visiting as many NPs as we can.
Thank you for reading that whole document and summarizing it for us! You're clearly very knowledgeable.
I'm not impressed with what I heard. I remember a time when there were no hookups in National Parks. The emphasis on RV's will only make it more congested with fewer people. I grew up tent camping with my family in the National Parks in 50's and 60's. There were no lotteries, no reservations and no trams. We paid our fee and picked our campsite. Sometimes we had trouble deciding which of the several available campsites to choose. We drove the family station wagon thru the Wawona Tunnel Tree in Yosemite. Now the summer crowds are so thick in Yosemite, they could use a traffic cop on some of the Yosemite Valley road crossings. I think there are 2 main reasons for the overcrowding. One, an increased environmental awareness beginning in the early '70's made a vacation in more natural wilderness setting appealing. But I think the biggest factor is the advent of the motorhome. A palatial motorhome allows people to travel with all the comforts of home. Those who would never sleep in a tent in a sleeping bag on the ground can now travel not only in comfort, but luxury. By catering to these large RVs, fewer campsites will be available. Fortunately for me, I saw the more popular National Parks, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc.. years ago before things like reservations. And I have a Jeep and my tent so I can get away from packed National Parks and explore National Forest lands and Bureau of Land Management camping areas. But I do feel sorry for young families today jumping on their computer at home desperately hoping they can snare a reservation for their dream summer vacation in their National Park of choice. Or when they get to a place like Zion, can they squeeze their family on one of the trams? Privatization? Yuk! I guess they want to turn it into Disneyland of the wilderness where only those with the $100,000+ motorhomes and RVs can afford to go.
"...more congested with fewer people..." What?
@@Steve-eh3zk Yes. The big rigs that are favored with this plan will cause major congestion because of their size. These behemoths are already causing traffic jams on the roads in Yosemite Valley now. They will be getting larger than normal campsites so that means there will be fewer campsites in total. Fewer campsites means fewer people. This problem will only spread to other National Parks, if this plan is implemented. Reservations will be even harder to come by.
AMEN TO THAT / THIS ! IT'S ABOUT BEING & SEEING NATURE & WILDLIFE SAFELY FOR BOTH ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED ! THANK YOU !
Yes, keep it simple, accessible for all. I want the beauty not amenities that raise the cost. We’re families or retired on SS that just want to see our national parks and enjoy nature.
But prices keep rising. Way too expensive, crowded, loud. I will boondock 98% of the time. Security and invasive controls will continue to dampen the camping experience at these concentration camps. I conclude all of this by personal experience of 40 years of camping.