Category Archives: Public Lands

California, State Parks

Free Park Entry for Veterans on Veterans Day – November 11th

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From the California State Parks Foundation:

As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, we at CSPF want to thank all those who have served and who are currently serving our country.

We also want to spread the word that for the first time veterans and active duty military personnel are eligible for free day-use access to California’s state parks on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day. Free day-use access will be provided at state parks currently operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation that are accessible with a vehicle day use pass.

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National Parks

Campgrounds Open at Joshua Tree National Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

All campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park have reopened for the season. This includes Belle, Black Rock, Cottonwood, Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, Sheep Pass, and White Tank campgrounds.

Campsites at Indian Cove and Black Rock campgrounds may be reserved in advance online. To check availability and make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. At all other campgrounds, sites are first-come, first-served.

Backcountry camping is also permitted in the park and requires campers to register at a backcountry board. Campsites must be at least one mile from a road and 500 feet from any trail. Campfires are not permitted in the backcountry.

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Activities, Adventures, National Parks

Lottery Now Open for Historic Ostrander Ski Hut in Yosemite’s Backcountry

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite Conservancy is Accepting Online Reservation Lottery Forms Until November 19, 2014 for Experienced Skiers to Stay Overnight at Ostrander Ski Hut

Yosemite Conservancy announced today that it is accepting online reservation lottery forms for the 2014-2015 season at historic Ostrander Ski Hut, the cherished rustic stone cabin used by experienced cross-country skiers who make the strenuous 10-mile journey from Badger Pass Ski Area to Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park.

“Trekking to Ostrander Ski Hut offers an unforgettable winter adventure with an overnight stay at the historic cabin nestled on the edge of a glacier cirque, beside stunning Ostrander Lake,” said Mike Tollefson, president, Yosemite Conservancy. “It’s the perfect winter retreat to leave crowds behind and head into isolated backcountry with breathtaking views of Half Dome, the Clark Range and Mount Hoffmann.”

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National Forests, National Parks

Yosemite Proposed Entrance Fee and Campground Fee Increases

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The 50 percent fee increase, which would take effect Jan. 1, is part of a new Obama administration proposal to raise fees at 130 of America’s 401 national parks.  Why close the parks when it’s so much easier just to price them out of the reach of Americans who already support them through taxes?

30 Day Public Engagement Period Begins Today

Yosemite National Park is proposing to increase entrance fees into the park.  The single vehicle entrance fee would change from $20 to $30 for a seven day pass.  The park’s annual pass would increase from $40 to $60.  The current rate of $10 per individual or motorcycle would increase to $15 for an individual and $25 per motorcycle.  Interagency Passes, which are honored at all federally managed land units, are not affected by the proposed fee increase and will remain at $80 for the regular pass, $10 for the Senior Pass and free for the Access and Military passes.  The current park entrance fees have been in place since 1997, when a seven day pass was increased from $5 to $20 per vehicle.  According to the U.S. Bureau of labor and Statistics, $20 in 1997 is equivalent to $29.64 in 2014.  This fee change will allow Yosemite to maintain consistent revenue while adjusting accordingly for inflation.

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Activities, Conservation, National Forests

Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra Four Wheel Drive Club Partner for Recreation and Resource Protection

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Volunteers from the Eastern Sierra Four Wheel Drive Club have been lending elbow grease to maintaining and repairing established system roads on the Inyo National Forest.

The club, working on their weekends, provides maintenance for OHV road and trails under the direction of the Inyo National Forest. Their efforts augment the work done by forest staff in ensuring that a high-quality experience can be found on the forest’s OHV system roads.

“The club tries to have fun on these outings, mixing the volunteer work with an opportunity for club members to have an outing and enjoy the beautiful Inyo National Forest,” said Mike Johnston, president of the Eastern Sierra Four Wheel Drive Club. “The result is increased sense of stewardship for areas that many of us already know and love through recreational activities.”

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