The National Park Service says............

[CajunCamper]

The National Park Service says that the majority of the visitors that enter the National Parks never venture any further than 100 yards from their cars. What a shame for them, but great for those of us that like to load up a daypack or backpack and hit the trails. We have made some wonderful discoveries on our hikes and while paddling on the many lakes, streams and rivers. I can't imagine spending the time and money to get to these treasures and then viewing the parks from the front seat of your car.

Surely I'm not the only one that feels this way. What do you think?

CajunCamper

[AustinBoston]

The National Park Service says that the majority of the visitors that enter the National Parks never venture any further than 100 yards from their cars. What a shame for them...

Surely I'm not the only one that feels this way. What do you think?

I've climbed the stone face of carriage road bridges in Acadia NP.  I've hiked past 6 waterfalls (and back) in about 6 hours in Shenandoah NP.  I've run the Little River in an inner tube in Great Smoky Mountain NP.  I've hiked "only" 1100 feet down into the Grand Canyon.  It took 45 minutes.  The return trip back up took 3 hours.  I've gone horseback riding in at least 5 national parks.  One hike we went on in Carlsbad Caverns NP took us from a 100

[mowalker]

Guilty and

[Campaholics]

We just returned from Rocky Mountain National Park.  There were a lot of people on the trails near the road, i.e. one to two miles out.  This flat lander from 650 ft elevation did a lot of huffing, puffing, and gasping in 8,600 to 12,600 ft elevations.  But, the views casused a lot of gasps that were worth every huff and puff.  None of the words or photos come close to the real thing.  Many of the views from the road and overlooks are fantastic.  But, a mile or two out on the trails offer completely different perspectives.  The trail to Dream Lake is one mile out and about 400 ft up.  The view was jaw dropping fantanstic.  There were at least a hundred people on the trail while we were there, and thousands more that never got out of their cars.   A quote from the movie Auntie Mame applies to the people who never left their cars, "Life is a banquet, and most people are starving to death."  Will sombody please serve me another slice of the Dream Lake trail?
 
We do most of our camping in the State Parks of southern Wisconsin.  On the major holiday weekends when the camp grounds are full, the trails are almost empty.  It is remarkable to encounter two other groups on the trails.
 
We like to hike the trails, and I think we are richer for the experience.  If you take a stroll in the woods and keep reasonably quite, you will see views and wild life not possible to be seen from the front seat of your car.  
 
Bob

[Russinator]

In my case, and I'm sure other people too, we have a physical condition that stops us from taking long hikes.

When I was younger, before my knee injury, I was one of the hikers. It saddens me that those days are in the past, but, at least, I did have them.

Russ

[CajunCamper]

I read a report today that a new study shows that one of the best ways to fight depression is a walk in the woods.

I know after a walk in the woods I always feel renewed.

CajunCamper

[erich0521]

I think in many ways camping is not the same as when I was a kid.

1 sure sign is that I notice most folks ride bikes or walk just around the campgrounds.  As a family when I was a kid, we always either rode bikes (20 + miles / day not uncommon for our whole family) or hiked trails for a good true day hike.

We spent a vacation in FL along the gulf coast beaches in June.  We spent most of the time out of doors.  I saw a lot of neighbors with large 5th wheels, TTs, etc. briefly each day but mostly inside by dusk.

Part of me wanting a PU was teaching my kids to love the outdoors.

Enjoy your trips.

[sacrawf]

I think in many ways camping is not the same as when I was a kid.

It is not just the national parks, as local neighborhood parks are going largely unused as well. This hits a sore spot with me.  

I fear that enjoyment of virtual entertainment and motorsports for youngsters will continue to fuel a long-term decrease in hikers, kayakers, runners, cyclists, rock climbers, hunting and fishing.  

However, ATV riding, snowmobiling, off road 4-wheeling, motorcross, big-boat bass fishing, powerboating, etc., are likely to continue to grow.  Mobile connectivity of electronics even in the most remote of locations will certainly increase.  This will endoubtedly change the way our parks look in the future as they are changed to adapt the recreational desires of the taxpayers. I'm just not sure that will be a change for the better.

[AustinBoston]

Mobile connectivity of electronics even in the most remote of locations will certainly increase.  This will endoubtedly change the way our parks look in the future as they are changed to adapt the recreational desires of the taxpayers.

I can see it now...solar panels to power the wifi hot spot at every trail intersection...complete with sattelite dish to connect to an ISP.  :mad:

I make my living with computers; I do not want them with me on vacation.

Austin

[fritz_monroe]

We make use of the hiking trails.  But we just returned from the Acadia area and you could easily spend a couple weeks there and not get over 100 yards away from the car.  Granted, you would miss many great places, but there is so much to see there, you definately wouldn't be wasting your time there.

[GeneF]

In my case, and I'm sure other people too, we have a physical condition that stops us from taking long hikes.

When I was younger, before my knee injury, I was one of the hikers. It saddens me that those days are in the past, but, at least, I did have them.

Russ

Have to agree with you.  

Just got back from a week in Acadia and it wasn't easy talking to the other couple we were with about the great hike they took that day.

Fortunately, we did manage to get a couple of nice kayak trips on a couple of the ponds there, spend some time on the beach at Seawall. ride the loop road and enjoy the view from atop Cadillac Mountain, take a pleasant evening sunset cruise around Northeast Harbor which included watching a bald eagle atop a tree, got to Thurston's for a great lobster dinner, do a little shopping at Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor, wonder how much that yacht cost sitting in the harbor, take a cruise out to Cranberry Island and visit the museum there, walk through the gardens at Asticou, enjoy a few campfires, and cook some good food.

Even though I couldn't bike ride or hike, I still managed to get in a lot of things that I was able to do and enjoy myself.  By the way, this was our 6th visit to Acadia.

[SPXTrader]

see your dentist twice a year!  And ask you Doctor!  HA! Pay no attention to that man behind the keyboard...methinks he's been in the quart jug again!