Park Service Visits Beat Major Sports Attendance

The National Park Service says last year's visitation to the nation's parks and other recreational properties beat out, "Major League Baseball, the National Football League, professional basketball, soccer and NASCAR combined," in terms of attendance. More than 275 millions folks came through the gates of NPS managed properties in 2007. Service officials are holding their collective breath, hoping the numbers hold up, as with the exception of 2004, visitation has been sliding since 1999.

The National Park Service is looking to a major influx of visitors when its centennial celebration rolls around--but that's still several years off--the big anniversary isn't until 2016. Nevertheless, park officials say they've been trying hard to drum up more interest among the masses, luring them away from video games and computers and out into the fresh air.

The biggest "winners" in terms of visitation? The Blue Ridge Parkway, followed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. While it may be 'the world's largest ditch,' the Grand Canyon National Park turned up Number Nine on the list of the most visited park "units" last year. That figure could be somewhat deceptive, as the park system includes more than just parks: The service manages a vast array of real estate aside from officially designated parks. There are seashores, battlefields, monuments, and scenic rivers to name just a few. So if you're interested in "National Parks" proper, then last year the Great Smokey Mountains and the Grand Canyon were the top two, respectively.

Photo: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah copyright R & T DeMaris

Senators urge Park Service to allow loaded guns in parks

In mid-December, 47 U.S. senators asked the National Park Service to allow gun owners to carry loaded weapons in federal parks and wildlife refuges. Many RVers will likely be interested in this proposal: a survey at RVtravel.com revealed that about half of all RV enthusiasts carry a firearm with them when they travel.

The letter, drafted by Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, calls the current regulations "confusing, burdensome and unnecessary," according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Currently, firearms can only be brought to most national parks and wildlife refuges if they are unloaded, broken down and in a carrying case. There are some exceptions in places where hunting is allowed in season and in back-country areas in some Alaskan parks where loaded guns can be brought in for protection from bears.

"In Alaska, legally possessing a gun is as much a necessity as it is a right," said Aaron Saunders, a spokesman for Sen. Ted Stevens, one of the signers. "Sen. Stevens strongly supports streamlining federal regulations regarding law-abiding citizens carrying firearms on public lands."

Park Service Free Admits to Military on Veteran's Day

The National Park Service is throwing the gates to military personnel and their families this Sunday, November 11. The NPS says all military personnel, active or retired, and their families will find entrance fees waived for them. The waiver amounts to a savings of anywhere from $3 to $25, depending on the park visited.

In a media release, NPS boss Mary Bomar said, “I hope that all service members take advantage of this fee-free day and spend Sunday in a park making memories with their families. I am part of a military family and I know firsthand that time spent together is extremely precious. National parks provide wonderful opportunities for families to connect with each other while they explore our country’s natural, historical, and recreational treasures.”

The free access day is one of only two granted by the service on a national basis. In September the parks throw open the gates to everyone on National Public Lands Day.

Free Public Lands Access Septepmber 29

Load up your RV with the family, the friends, the dog and the cat, because your US public lands free for the visit September 29. Across all lands managed by the US Department of Interior, which includes National Parks, US Forest Service Lands, BLM lands, and the rest will waive any entry fees this Saturday.

In some areas this can amount to a pretty substantial rate reduction; it doesn't permit free camping in fee campgrounds, but getting into some of those "national jewels," for free is something to consider. Many agencies will also have special programs to celebrate the nation's landholdings. Additionally, all who volunteer at a National Park Service site on Saturday will receive a free pass for a visit to any National Park Service site later on.

For more information on National Public Lands Day, visit this web site.