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Post by Steve King (Admin) on Apr 15, 2004 10:23:58 GMT -6
Per the National Park Service, starting April 15, 2005, the following backcountry sites along the Jacks Fork will charge $5.00 per night: Bay Creek, Rymers & Shawnee Creek.
Regards,
Steve King
Webmaster
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Post by Steve King (Admin) on Jun 22, 2004 19:46:06 GMT -6
In addition: Sites are limited to two tents, two vehicles and six people per site. Stays are limited to 14 days.
The Webmaster
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Paula
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by Paula on Jun 26, 2004 9:55:59 GMT -6
Are they actually setting up designated camping sites? Maybe even with picnic tables? And I guess rangers will come around & collect the fees? I had never even seen a ranger in the park until last summer when we were stopped by two rangers during our 3 day float. Once below a rapid where they asked if we tipped because they'd found beer floating down the river - not us, and the other to check our fish & make sure we had licenses & the fish were legal - they were. Why all the sudden so many rangers? And fees? Has attendance at the park gone up that much?
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Post by Steve King (Admin) on Jun 26, 2004 20:00:47 GMT -6
Paula,
The campground fees are on an honor system. Rangers will come around and collect trusting that the $5 will be paid. This is what I have been told. All sites that have been issued the $5 fee have already been designated established campsites in the past. I don't know if picnic tables will be installed though. I doubt it. That costs money. I think the money is better served by making the prescence of the rangers more frequent. Heck, I even think they, as well as law enforcement and teachers should be paid more. A lot more. The fees are to help with the funds of operating the ONSR. I would assume that the park needed to figure out a way to raise more funds and this was the route. I'm all for it. If one can't afford the $5 per night fee, then they can always opt to camp elsewhere along the river where fees aren't required. I takes a lot to operate the ONSR. You have maintenance of the park, park ranger salaries, etc. to pay. I just wish people would take a little more pride in the ONSR. There is NO REASON why people should litter. I have NO RESPECT for hoosiers.
Steve
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Paula
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by Paula on Jun 26, 2004 23:10:27 GMT -6
I agree with you, I'm a big fan of the NPS & its employees. One of the rangers we met last year had to spend 3 years in St. Louis at the arch paying his dues before he got assigned to the riverways. I doubt most rangers crave assignments in downtown St. Louis! (Although I enjoyed the arch & museum when we visited.) I wouldn't even mind paying a fee to the park service for float trips when you rent a canoe - all the other parks have entrance fees and it does take money to provide services. I was just afraid the river was being descended upon by hordes of new visitors - and I'm selfish enough to want to keep it the way it is. Especially the upper Jack's Fork.
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Post by the bear on Jun 28, 2004 5:53:01 GMT -6
Hi all....
I've been to a couple of seminars reciently on river behavior problems and yes, there are more people than ever on the rivers, and yes, there is a problem reciently with rowdy behavior from a small element. There have been some complaints and the seminars were to decide what approach to take to solve the problem before it gets out of hand. A greater law enforcement presence was part of the solution, as well as an educational program, and more cooperation from liveries in the area. Liveries were asked to screen floaters more closely and not rent to obvious drunks and trouble-makers. A number already do and others had no problem with the idea....so hopefully we will see many more rangers, water Patrol and and MDC officers on the river, and fewer trouble-makers. The upper river, fortunatly has not seen this influx so is still a wonderful experience.
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