ATL Backpacker
09-26-2012, 09:06
New to whiteblaze, curious to get opinions on this.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/sep/20/group-announces-intent-to-sue-smokies-over-new/
A little more insight...
http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/sep/12/backcountry-tax-charging-backpackers-camp-against/
(http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/sep/12/backcountry-tax-charging-backpackers-camp-against/)
I've been following the story for a few months. A lot of folks misunderstand this fee thinking it will fund improvements to trails, campsites, extra park rangers, etc. It won't. The NPS has said it will only cover the cost of the reservation line. Personally I've never had problems with the existing reservation process. And the fact is the large majority of sites are empty most all of the time, making reservations useless for most sites.
I don't think there is much flexibility with this new reservations service either. I figure that will make things extremely difficult for thru-hikers?
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/sep/20/group-announces-intent-to-sue-smokies-over-new/
A little more insight...
http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/sep/12/backcountry-tax-charging-backpackers-camp-against/
(http://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/sep/12/backcountry-tax-charging-backpackers-camp-against/)
I've been following the story for a few months. A lot of folks misunderstand this fee thinking it will fund improvements to trails, campsites, extra park rangers, etc. It won't. The NPS has said it will only cover the cost of the reservation line. Personally I've never had problems with the existing reservation process. And the fact is the large majority of sites are empty most all of the time, making reservations useless for most sites.
I don't think there is much flexibility with this new reservations service either. I figure that will make things extremely difficult for thru-hikers?