Ruthlessrider

As photographer of any level, most of us in our travels visit our national parks, sometime for the grandeur of the scenery, sometimes for the peace and quiet of the deep woods or wilderness. I write this, because I have increasingly become aware of efforts to under fund and, I suspect, eventually to privatize the parks.

To me, my most recent visit epitomizes that effort. My wife and I just recently completed a circle tour of Lake Superior. At the end of our trip we decided to spend a few days at Pictured Rocks National Seashore as we have done at this time of year for over 30 years. When we arrived there was only one other camper there in a campground with about 35 sites. We picked out our usual site just above 12 Mile Beach and set up camp. A few hour later when the mission was accomplished, we decided to take a little hike. Another wonderful experience, that is until we got back. We were told by one of the few rangers on duty this time of year that we would have to leave since we did not have reservations. I told him that we were not aware that we needed reservations, because at this time of the year the park has always been close and campers may just come and go using the small brown envelopes to pay the fees. He informed us that the park is no longer considered closed and that the only way you can camp there is with reservations through a private organization called Reserveamerica.Org. When I protested the ridiculousness of requiring reservation when quite literally no one is there, he could only tell me that that’s the way it is.

The other catch, and the one that cause us to leave is that PRNP is so remote in Upper Michigan that there is no cell coverage or Wifi to make reservations with. After we left, and headed for Munising, MI we intended to stop at the headquarters to protest the unfortunate decision we are now forced to deal with. Well, guess what, the park offices are closed for the remainder of the season until spring. Talk about adding insult to injury!

I suspect that this is just the lead up to privatization since policies like this make little or no sense in parks that seldom have many visitors after October 15th. If you are bothered by policies such as this, I urge you to call your federal representative and voice your outrage at what is happening to “our”national parks.

SaratogaMan

And pay more attention to your voting -- did you vote for this administration in 2016?

pilot64 Loc: Atlanta, GA

In this event, I'd ask to see the park superintendent. You may have been misinformed or common sense might prevail. If not, a letter to your congressman might help. And to the previous responder, let's leave the politics out of the hedgehog. We shoot photographs, not politicians.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I did. And will again in 2020.

Zooman 1

Just saw a piece on National Parks on the news regarding the addition of WIFI, food trucks and other things to "modernize" the parks. Also mentioned a proposed a half billion dollar cut to the next NP budget! Earlier this year I and my photography partner visited 4 NP's in California. Would not want to have seen Cell towers, food trucks or other "modern" features in any of the 4, and not any other NP's. Another reason to change white house resident.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

And they want the government to run our healthcare...

Ruthlessrider

No!

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Ruthlessrider

Absolutely! Reminds me of the time we had Reagan for a president and the joke was that he wanted to put escalators in the Grand Canyon so the handicapped could experience the Canyon.

Joe Blow

Contrary, it is politics that want to turn our national treasures into money machines for certain favorites. Others want to keep our national treasures for all Americans.

Unless your letter includes a hefty campaign contribution, many Congresscritters won't give a poop.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

That sucks to hear. I'm not sure how they determine which locations use the Reserve America website. I have a few national parks in my area that are also smaller, and they manage everything at the parks. Most of the off season, they don't charge entrance or usage fees due to low winter traffic. I hope you can get some clarification and hopefully get a process changed.

Ruthlessrider

I would like to be able to agree with you about leaving politics our of hedgehog, but I remember the comments of a professor of a political science class I took sooooo many years ago who said something to the effect that anytime you are talking about something involving a federal, state, or even local government decisions, it is “political.” How do you change or reverse policies made by governmental agencies without politics?

Zooman 1

Generally I agree politics should be left out of HH comments and post, but this is something all photographers of nature and wildlife should be very concerned about. Our world we enjoy photographing needs our support.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

I agree, but this forum is infested by ... oops! Now I almost mentioned one side.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Unfortunately, you’re correct.