Tag: nps

‘Never push a slower friend down’ and other tips for bear season

Grizzly bears will soon emerge from hibernation and the National Park Service has offered humorous but also serious advice on how to stay safe.

Grizzly bears will emerge from hibernation beginning this month and the National Park Service has advised hikers to exercise common sense and avoid temptation.

“If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend down… even if you feel the friendship has run its course,” the NPS joked via X.

From a more serious followup tweet: “What about your other friend? Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park. While it is an exciting moment, it is important to remember that bears in national parks are wild and can be dangerous.”

The NPS then tweeted a link that offers tips for those who plan to enter bear country. They include carrying bear spray, hiking in groups, making noise on trails, maintaining a safe distance from bears you see, and avoiding surprise encounters by remaining on trails.

If you do come face to face with a grizzly bear, don’t run. Instead, talk calmly to the animal while remaining in place because fleeing could trigger an attack response. Also, be prepared to use the all-important bear spray.

Grizzly bear images courtesy of the National Parks Service

“Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms,” the NPS advised. “Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.”

For other NPS tips, click here. The information could keep you and your loved ones safe in the wilderness.

Elephant seal’s parking effort called out by NPS

“When you pull into a spot, aim straight for the middle. Pulling too far forward into a spot could result in taking up two spots unnecessarily.”

A National Park Service employee recently captured an image showing a northern elephant seal resting in a parking lot at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Anyone who is fanatical about perfect placement between the lines will note that the seal could have been more considerate by inching a few feet to its left.

The NPS cleverly made light of the situation via Instagram:

“Ex-seal-lent parking job. Well, almost.

“A little on the line there, bud. When you pull into a spot, aim straight for the middle. Pulling too far forward into a spot could result in taking up two spots unnecessarily. Skirting the line can also impact your neighbor being able to open their door or how hard they will “accidentally” bump your car. Awkward.”

More seriously, the NPS continued: “Always a best parking lot practice: drive slow, stay alert, make eye contact with pedestrians (or seals) to acknowledge their presence, not in a creepy way, and expect the unexpected at all times (like seals).”

Northern elephant seals are a popular attraction at Point Reyes National Seashore, especially during the winter with so many animals hauled out for the birthing and mating season.

–Image courtesy of NPS/K. Hernandez

Do national parks close during a government shutdown?

It’s complicated.

What does a government shutdown have to do with national parks? Well, since the National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government, a lot. As a potential government shutdown looms, here’s what people need to know about the country’s parks, monuments, and more.

First, let’s take a moment to discuss government shutdowns. In the U.S., a shutdown occurs when a lack of funding forces non-essential government operations to stop. Funding issues arise when Congress members fail to agree on and pass a budget. While national parks don’t always close during a shutdown, they did amid the 2013 government shutdown.

Will the government shutdown close national parks?

Each government shutdown is unique. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, parks remained open with limited staff. While many adventurous tourists probably enjoyed these lands staying open, the decision caused a lot of trouble.

As Outside writer Wes Siler explained, “Even while maintenance crews and Rangers were furloughed, park visitation boomed. Trash and toilets overflowed, sensitive ecological areas were damaged, artifacts were stolen, and people died.”

Local business owners near national parks also face trouble during government shutdowns. According to the NPS, “visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2020 resulted in a $28.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 234,000 jobs.” If the parks close, businesses that benefit from visitor spending face real trouble.

As Liz Skelton, owner of Yosemite Blue Butterfly Inn, told CBS Sacramento, “It’s these small little towns outside of these federal parks that get hit the worst on all this.”

During the 2018-2019 government shutdown, Utah paid to keep several of its national parks open. Governor Spencer Cox has already announced plans to do so again should a 2023 shutdown occur. Similarly, Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona has stated that she intends to use state funds to keep the Grand Canyon open during a potential shutdown.

See why millions flock to Gateway National Recreation Area

Explore the beauty of Gateway.

In 2022, over 8 million people visited Gateway National Recreation Area. That year, this special National Park Service (NPS) site also celebrated its 50th anniversary. Established in 1972, Gateway still draws in tons of visitors seeking an outdoor escape.

What keeps people coming back to Gateway? For some New York and New Jersey locals, the recreation area is the ideal place to go for a daily walk. For others, it’s a region perfect for beach days, kayaking trips, and birdwatching. From Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to Fort Hancock, Gateway has a lot to offer. Discover eight of Gateway National Recreation Area’s best sights and things to do in the list below. Check out even more park guides here.

Do e-bikes have a place in national parks? You can help decide.

Speak up and shape the future.

For now, e-bike riders can cycle through national park trails without worry. But this could change following a court case that instructed the National Park Service (NPS) to “take a hard look” at the impact of e-bikes in parks.

The NPS e-bike saga began in 2019. At the time, P. Daniel Smith, acting director of the NPS, issued the Smith Directive. This directive instructed parks to treat e-bikes like traditional bicycles and allow them on park trails. In response, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) filed a lawsuit challenging the rule in December 2019. The plaintiffs argued that the Smith Directive failed to conduct necessary environmental reviews.

A person in midair on an e-bike in the desert.

On May 24, 2022, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras issued a decision on the case. The ruling directed the NPS to analyze the impacts of e-bikes on national park trails.

“As a result of PEER’s lawsuit, National Parks will now need to take a hard look at how to avoid user conflicts with the heavier, faster moving e-bikes, the impacts e-bikes will have on wildlife along backcountry trails, and the potential damage from e-bike use on unpaved trails,” PEER announced in a statement.

Part of this analysis includes public commentary. On June 20, 2023, the NPS announced an “open comment period,” inviting input from members of the public on the potential impacts of e-bikes in national parks.

An e-bike parked on a road through the forest.

“E-bikes can have many benefits for parks and visitors including making travel easier, expanding access for those with physical limitations, and providing healthy recreation opportunities,” the NPS said in a news release. “At the same time, the NPS must manage this emerging form of access and recreation, like others that occur in park areas, in a manner that protects park resources, values, and visitors.”

People interested in offering input on the topic can comment online. Feedback can also be mailed or hand-delivered to the address provided here. The comment period closes on July 21, 2023.

These 5 NPS sites are celebrating anniversaries this year

Join in the fun!

Ah, the passage of time. While scary for some, time passing is also a cause for celebration. Birthdays and anniversaries are occasions for relishing in longevity. Even the National Park Service (NPS) celebrates anniversaries. On August 25, 2016, the NPS commemorated its centennial with a year of fun events. But don’t worry if you missed out. In a country full of gorgeous national parks, there’s always a new event on the way.

This year, several NPS sites are celebrating anniversaries. If you want to plan a trip to a national park, monument, or scenic parkway this year, try visiting these five destinations on their birthdays. Enjoy the stunning scenery while participating in a historic moment.