Comments on: NPS Campground privatization and other changes

By: shawn

shawn — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 14:23:41 +0000

Just read Desert Solitaire. Amazing how relevant Edward Abbey’s comments are still today.

I’m all for ideas that make the outdoors more accessible for all (i.e tent rentals, even though you can probably buy one cheaper at Walmart) but laundry and Wi-Fi certainly do not belong. Only a few places should have showers, though it would occassionally be nice to have outdoor rinse-off stations like at the beach.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 04:11:39 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. I forgot to add my big fear is just what SW stated: Because the private interests are adding "improvements" such as WiFi, they will demand an ROI. So the prices will indeed go up. And the outdoors will continue to skew more towards the affluent.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 04:08:18 +0000

Interesting comments all.

There are some places, though, that should be seen. The Ancient Puebloan areas come to mind immediately.

I am not a religious person by any means. But somehow, the ability to watch Hulu while in Chaco Canyon somehow seems to take away from the majesty of the place.

As Nick said, we are making our National Park units more akin to Disney World.

I also realize it is a losing battle.

As Mike said, the BLM and USFS roads near the national park units may be the salvation for dinosaurs like many of us. (Oddly enough, I had a memorable camping trip to Dinosaur National Monument in nearby BLM land. And the NPS ranger was the one who suggested this site!)

By: Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 15:45:54 +0000

Boomers are retiring,getting that huge Class A, and pulling into all the NPGC’s and spend most of their time watching their 60″ flat screens and hardly step outside. Consesionairs see a new market for retirees with discretionary money and it has nothing to do with a camping experience.
I for one don’t mind rutted washboard roads to primative campground without the amenities,

By: SW

SW — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:43:54 +0000

Los Padres National Forrest a year or so ago secretly arranged to turn over campsites to a concessionaire to run.

Prices went up. In some cases, from free, or 5 dollars a night, to 30 a night. Most prices doubled.

The idea of turning over all the NPS campgrounds to development is a terrible idea. I can easily see 50-75 dollar a night campsites for the sake of on-site showers and wifi.

I remember hitting Burney Falls a few years ago and they had most of the development that is discussed in the article and the CPR article. It didn’t improve my camping experience notably, but it did increase the fee- 35.00 a night. That’s the most I’ve ever spent to camp on a patch of dirt and left what otherwise would have been a pleasant experience relatively soured.

I’m not inherently anti-technology when it comes to wilderness and camping. But part of camping, even car camping, is roughing it, and giving up some conveniences of modern life.

Here’s the thing- Record numbers of people are coming to the national park system. Increased appeal in the campsites is *not* something that is necessary. If anything, it’s arguable that the opposite may be needed.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 14:35:42 +0000

I read the linked article from CPR. The picture isn’t what I would call “camping”. That is hanging out in a campground with a lot of other people.
I may be in the extreme minority but I lean heavily towards the Edward Abbey mindset. In the sacred area’s that are our National Parks, a line be drawn. No vehicles other than Parks Department vehicles shall be allowed to cross. If you want Wifi, TV and laundry machines, these can be available outside the park and readily available once people return to their vehicles. I know it is costly to maintain these Parks and make them available to the masses. I just don’t believe we will ever be able to stop ourselves from making improvement after improvement (change and development) to these parks in an effort to make it easier for those masses to visit.
Isn’t camping supposed to be a means of escape from all these luxuries?
I guess the gazillion dollar motor home owner needs a place to go just like the backpacker. Maybe the Parks could charge more $$$ accordingly. Huge motor home, $500.00 a night. Hiker with tent, $3.00 a night.
I have never camped where there are picnic tables or other people, so I’m not really a good judge of KOA’s and such.

By: Nick Gatel

Nick Gatel — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 05:03:38 +0000

Bah! Humbug! Not your post, but the degradation of our public lands and abandonment of preserving the ecological and historic significance of these places. We need to change the NPS name to the National Amusement Park Service.

By: DouchePacker

DouchePacker — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 21:36:33 +0000

Good post! Like our public infrastructure, our public lands are chronically underfunded, purposefully so.
Once the road to privatization starts, we’ll never get it back. Give em an inch and they’ll take a mile. They know that too. They have a very effective strategy… underfund it, let it go to s***, then swoop in as a rescuer, and keep it forever. The Zinke types are philosophically opposed to public ownership.
Once the profit motive is in place it’ll become more expensive overnight as profit becomes more important than anything else. If Zinke’s plans go through privatized campgrounds will be the least of our worries as avid hikers and outdoorspeople.
I’ll fight like hell to #keepitpublic 🙂