Government shut down and camping

[TravlinOn]

I found it interesting that some of the big name ski slopes, etc., with big money available for the purpose, were able to be excluded from the shutdown. I guess some are "more equal than others"?

In any case, for any of us who have plans to go to the more tourist-oriented national parks, there is possibly a chance yet to complete the plans - some States (etc.?) will be permitted to re-open the parks (camping areas?) with use of State funds to pay the costs of operation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interior-allows-almost-a-dozen-iconic-national-parks-to-reopen-with-state-funding/2013/10/11/b010aa82-3296-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_print.html

 

[DEarle]

Modified vacation plans

We were starting our 2 week vacation with a visit to Carlsbad Caverns. Now we are just going to take pictures of the closed signs. We decided to go see the Cadillac Ranch in west Texas, and the snake pits along the highway, in addition to the place that has a gorilla. Does anyone know where the place with the largest ball of twine is? Now it has been announced that Brice Canyon in Utah is opening under state funding, so at least we'll get to enjoy that.

David

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

I have heard about the big ball of string, but don't remember where.

FWIW this is from the Times by Brad Tuttle..... he indicates Fl is going the way I expected "
Even though park closures are causing losses in the millions around the country, several states aren’t taking the federal government up on its not-quite-generous offer. “Florida taxpayers will not foot the bill to cover Washington’s failure to negotiate and compromise,” said a spokesman for Florida Gov. Rick Scott, explaining why Everglades National Park and other national parks and monuments would remain closed throughout the Sunshine State."
He also says some sources are saying NPS losses are up to $76 million per day:new_argue

here is the link to the whole aritical: http://business.time.com/2013/10/11/states-no-thanks-well-keep-national-parks-closed/

 

[clown9644]

Take your pick on which is the true "Largest Ball of Twine" as there is one in Darwin Minn. that claims this as well as one in Cawker City Kansas, you can google "largest ball of twine" for this information, but you don't need to, I did.

 

[Redtail cruiser]

Zion opened today as well. Along with Bryce and the G.C., if they're the only major NP's that are open, they will be real busy.

 

[CeeWoo]

Has this shut down had an impact on your fall camping plans?

Back to this original question-Much of my Fall camping is at a couple of BLM campgrounds within 20 minutes or so of our house. No hookups, vault toilets, NO GATES at all at the entrances. Anyhow, being BLM (part of the dept of the interior) they have signs on the campground info boards saying something like "BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN THIS FACILITY IS CLOSED AND TOILETS HAVE BEEN LOCKED. NO TRESPASSING"

I know these campgrounds are normally patrolled a couple times a day by State Patrol and County Sheriffs Office. What I don't know is if anyone is enforcing the 'no trespassing' part of the campground shutdown. Without a gate, they are totally accessible with a self contained RV. But anyhow-to keep it simple, I just haven't gone camping for a while and may not again this year (if the shutdown goes a whole lot longer it'll be too cold for me. I know everyone thinks of WA State as mild but rainy, but here on the East side of the mountains it's dry and can get below 0 F in the winter). I'm bummed!

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

Back to this original question-Much of my Fall camping is at a couple of BLM campgrounds within 20 minutes or so of our house. No hookups, vault toilets, NO GATES at all at the entrances. Anyhow, being BLM (part of the dept of the interior) they have signs on the campground info boards saying something like "BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN THIS FACILITY IS CLOSED AND TOILETS HAVE BEEN LOCKED. NO TRESPASSING"

I know these campgrounds are normally patrolled a couple times a day by State Patrol and County Sheriffs Office. What I don't know is if anyone is enforcing the 'no trespassing' part of the campground shutdown. Without a gate, they are totally accessible with a self contained RV. But anyhow-to keep it simple, I just haven't gone camping for a while and may not again this year (if the shutdown goes a whole lot longer it'll be too cold for me. I know everyone thinks of WA State as mild but rainy, but here on the East side of the mountains it's dry and can get below 0 F in the winter). I'm bummed!

Here on the East coast it appears the shut down is being enforced. There was a report of a business that opened for about two hours on the Blueridge parkway before they were forced to close.
Here on the east coast we don't have the dispersed camping that there is out west and some areas of the west coast.

 

[TravlinOn]

Scrubjaysnest - I am looking to go camping in the next couple of weeks in FL and have found some of the state parks with trailer campsites available. I'm not sure where you are located but two parks that I found were west of Tallahassee: Falling Waters and Blackwater. There are more around the state, but these are a couple.

Let the "children" play their games (as long as they don't get too loud) and hopefully they will go back to sleep soon.

http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/Falling_Waters_Sp/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FL&parkId=281021&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do

 

[CeeWoo]

Here on the East coast it appears the shut down is being enforced. There was a report of a business that opened for about two hours on the Blueridge parkway before they were forced to close.
Here on the east coast we don't have the dispersed camping that there is out west and some areas of the west coast.

Ran out a while ago-just to again check on what's going on at the BLM campgrounds---and at least a few people are chancing it and camping (the campgrounds I'm referring to have no charges between Sept 15 and May 15. They're pretty popular with many hunters this time of year)

We like some of the dispersed camping sites in our area, but more and more often the state & fed here are blocking off access to these sites by placing multiple (and multi ton) bolders in the way to block access

 

[Redtail cruiser]

Another tactic they use is to set up access for vehicles only, but not for vehicles pulling trailers. We always have enjoyed camping on the back side of Lake Crowley in the Eastern Sierras, but now the access road into the area has a sharp S-curve barricade that barely allows a vehicle to pass thru it. Still works for tent campers, but not for anybody towing.

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

Scrubjaysnest - I am looking to go camping in the next couple of weeks in FL and have found some of the state parks with trailer campsites available. I'm not sure where you are located but two parks that I found were west of Tallahassee: Falling Waters and Blackwater. There are more around the state, but these are a couple.

Let the "children" play their games (as long as they don't get too loud) and hopefully they will go back to sleep soon.

http://floridastateparks.reserveame...Code=FL&parkId=281021&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do

Blackwater is great, you may also like Three Rivers which is closer to Tally.
Falling Waters is small and usually has overniters from I-10, some sites there will be awakward for the TM. Those CG's are about 1 to 3 hours from us but closer to 12 for are daughter. She is maybe an hour from the Everglades.
Another one that is low usage west of Tally is Torreya SP. Some nice hikes there with the elevation changes.

 

[TravlinOn]

Blackwater is great, you may also like Three Rivers which is closer to Tally.
Falling Waters is small and usually has overniters from I-10, some sites there will be awakward for the TM. Those CG's are about 1 to 3 hours from us but closer to 12 for are daughter. She is maybe an hour from the Everglades.
Another one that is low usage west of Tally is Torreya SP. Some nice hikes there with the elevation changes.

Thanks! I'll add both to my list of possibles and Torreya especially looks like fun.

 

[foxhaven0]

Just be sure to have what you need at Torreya, it is quite a ways out of town. That is the advantage to Falling Waters and Three Rivers (tho I admit that Sneads doesn't have much shopping compared to Chipley).There is also the Florida Caverns at Marianna but it is so close to us we haven't spend the night there so I can't say about camping.

Thanks! I'll add both to my list of possibles and Torreya especially looks like fun.

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

Everglades

Got to the Everglades to find Long Pine Key CG closed. Its being repaved. This forced us to go all the way to Flamingo CG. A,B, and C loops are closed because they are repaving loop A. I guess the shut down delayed the start of these projects. Flamingo is supposed to be completed first.

Also ran into something new to us.....they charge 3 bucks per canoe/kayak to use them in the park for 7 days. 1/2 off with the inter agency pass. This appears to be the only charge as there is no boat ramp launch/parking fee.

Getting expensive for those without the pass. $10 bucks to get in, $3 bucks per boat, and $30 in you want an electric site; $16 if you don't. Need the A/C with temp in the mid 80's

 

[CampAllDay]

What is the inter agency pass, Scrubjaysnest? Is it a discount for govies?

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

That's the new name for the golden age pass.


Everglades up date: They opened the a loop at Flamingo CG at about 8:30 pm the night before Thanksgiving. That was about 5 minutes after the paving crew finished. Had a park employee out Thanksgiving morning painting site numbers in loop A. I wonder if the paving work was originally scheduled during the gov'ment shut down and how much it cost us to reschedule?


Plenty of wildlife to see. Had some nice hikes and canoe trips. Rode the Rowedy Bend trail on the mtbike. Bad idea, trail was still in summer conditions. Grass height in some sections up my shoulders when seated on the bike. We had a great 12 days there though.

 

[Logman-TMO]

I'm planning a camping trip to s Florida last week in March. I have reservations for 3 days at Pennecamp St Park to go snorkeling and have never been to Everglades. Do you have a preference for campsites or activities? I am a hiker and biker. ALso an active senior citizen, and sometimes lazy bum fisherman. My two thirty yr old sons will be with me some of the time.Appreciate any ideas. Logman Bill

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

I'm planning a camping trip to s Florida last week in March. I have reservations for 3 days at Pennecamp St Park to go snorkeling and have never been to Everglades. Do you have a preference for campsites or activities? I am a hiker and biker. ALso an active senior citizen, and sometimes lazy bum fisherman. My two thirty yr old sons will be with me some of the time.Appreciate any ideas. Logman Bill

It will be starting to get warm in the Everglades by the end of March so you may need the A/C. That leaves you only half the T loop sites at Flamingo CG. We actually prefer Long Pine Key CG in the Everglades but there are no hook ups. There are a lot of short hikes in the Everglades that will give you an over view. There is a ranger led canoe tour at nine mile pond but at that time of year water levels are still pretty low and its the start of gator mating season.

Flamingo is at the very end of the park road, supplies are limited and pricey. It's an hour drive to the nearest supplies in Florida City. Long Pine Key CG is 5 miles from the entrance and about 15 minutes to Florida City.

Most of the fishing is out of Flamingo.